Product Description

Vivid colors and detailed images of sea-dwelling creatures bring the ocean to life with this floor puzzle that measures an amazing 4 feet long when completed. The 100 extra-heavy pieces form a beautiful scene that's ideal for exploring and learning about the ocean.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1252 in Toys & Games
• Brand: Melissa & Doug
• Model: 443
• Released on: 2006-06-12
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 11.80" h x 9.20" w x 2.90" l, 3.25 pounds

Features

• The colorful, exotic world of the ocean depths is beautifully portrayed in this educational floor puzzle
• 100 Piece floor puzzle is 4 feet tall
• Helps develop matching skills
• Filled with fascinating flora and aquatic fauna
• Recommended Age Range 6 Years and up

From the Manufacturer
The colorful, exotic world of the ocean depths is beautifully portrayed in this educational floor puzzle. Four feet tall and filled with fascinating flora and aquatic fauna; children will love exploring and learning with this detailed 100-piece floor puzzle.

Customer Reviews

good team project
My two girls (aged 4.5 and 3) love puzzles. They have different likes and dislikes so we have in our house "my puzzles" and "your puzzles." But this one is the first "our puzzle." It is challenging enough that both girls have to work together -- one on the tropical fish and the other on the dolphins, for example -- and what a joy when the patches would come together. The different areas on the puzzle would take on a different hue of blue (as the ocean goes deeper the color darkens, of course), so that the girls can sort out the pieces and start different "foci" on the floor. Therefore this puzzle really helps them learn multi-tasking, organization, and team work. It is definitely a step forward from the 24-piece or 50-piece sets, while still remaining manageable for preschoolers. My only minor, minor complaint is that one stretch of the puzzle (the sperm whale area) is dark, a bit simplistic in design, and somehow not preferred by either of the girls -- so I would always be assigned to complete that portion; just a little warning that you may find yourself putting together a giant sperm whale a couple of times a day. The bonus -- a chart that teaches the children names of all the sea creatures on the puzzle!

Another quality Melissa & Doug product
I purchased this puzzle, along with the similar Rain Forest puzzle, for my 4-year old daughter's birthday.

My purchase was based on other favorable reviews and my previous experience with Melissa & Doug products. I was not disappointed, and neither was my daughter.

The pieces are large, bright and not terribly complex. My daughter needed quite a bit of help due to the complex image, but that's not a bad thing. I got to teach her patience, plus watch her work a complex problem and learn spatial thinking skills. And, since since she loves animals, I can tell she won't get tired of the puzzle(s) for quite some time. Even after she can do it herself, the chance remains to teach about the interesting/uncommon animals depicted.

One small issue -- probably just for me -- is what I expected the pieces to be made of. All my other M&D purchases have been solid wood items for my 2-year old. For some reason, I assumed these would be too. Instead, they are cardboard, albeit good solid material. I made the mistake of starting out on the floor, and then worrying about pieces getting stepped on and snapped.

All in all, this and the aforementioned Rain Forest puzzle, are of the same high caliber as I've come to trust from Melissa & Doug. I'll be buying their remaining similar puzzles.

Enchanting learning toy!
Our daughter received this puzzle for her 3rd birthday. She's a puzzle nut! This became an instant favorite and had to be left together for all to see. The picture sheet in it labels all the sea creatures and it becomes a great way to discuss the different levels of life in the ocean. The coloring is beautiful - Mom and Dad enjoy it as well. It is extrememly well built, sturdy and can really be wiped off with a damp cloth.

The only negative, as another viewer pointed out, is the darker bottom pictures. Harder for young ones to distinguish designs and not as visually appealing.