Melissa and Doug Wooden Workbench: Post-Play Product Review

Average Price in Canada: $115.00

My two-year-old son is a real man's man!  He loves his trucks, climbing on furniture and eating!!  He also loves his daddy's tools so choosing to WishGift a play workbench and tools for this 2nd birthday was an easy decision.

There are many pretend play workbenches for kids on the market.  Choices include companies such as Little Tikes, Step2, Black and Decker, Home Depot and many others.  Our decision to go with the Melissa & Doug model was due to its high review ratings and because it's made out of natural wood.

Since there are already so many blog reviews on the product, this blog will focus on the post-play handling of the workbench against my not-so-delicate tot.

Assembly:

My hubby assembled the set and his feedback was:

- Took about 1 hour
- All 20 pieces were clearly labelled
- All pieces fit together easily
- Everything lined up

**Hubby is very handy!  Has a room full of tools, knows how to use them and can build and renovate himself.  Probably would have taken me double the amount of time. **

When Done:
- Structure was super solid (no shaking, wobbling or creaking).
- Will definitely stand-up to a rough housing tot with little chance of breaking or toppling over.


Assembly Instructions:
002369 Workbench Assembly Instructions 20121128

 

2-Month Post-Play Review:

Scott's been enjoying the Workbench for over 2 months and it's still his go-to toy in our playroom!  His favourite tools are the saw and hammer...most likely cause of the sounds they make.  He loves the vice and sawing the guide.  He equally loves hammering the pegs (or anything else that's within his range).

Minor Downfalls: 

-Although a solid wood structure, the Workbench and pieces dent fairly easily.  There are marks on the table top, on all the pegs and guide.  Although we have no intention of keeping it looking new, the set is constructed from pine (a soft lumbar) and looks worn fairly easily (NO splinters though :)





 

Wooden Model Instruction Booklet:

- At two-years-old, my son is too young to take advantage of the awesome building guide included however, the manual has awesome projects designed for older toddlers.

Complimentary Add-ons:

- Although my son keeps busy with the nuts and bolts, hammer, saw, screw driver and wrench, all the tools in the Wooden Project Workbench is natural coloured with red handles...kinda boring.  When he received the  Melissa & Doug Take-Along Tool Kit, he was definitely taken with the bright, attractive colours of the kit.  It's a great addition to the Workbench, is completely compatible and has vibrant colours that is definitely appealing to toddlers.

Final Thoughts:

- Scott loves the Wooden Workbench and often plays with it.
- Hubby loves how simple it was to assemble.
- I love that the bench is solid and can with-handle my son's roughness.

- Could be improved by having more colourful tools
- Dents easily

Price Range and Where to Buy

What to WishGift?!?

  The hardest part about having a WishGift, is knowing what to register.  Once that decision is made, contributing and purchasing the WishGifted item is simple and effortless.

  For the past year, we've had amazing gifts registered!  We've had items registered for 1-year-olds to 40-year-olds and everything from toys, to lessons, to gift certificates have been given as gifts.  Guests don't spend more and everyone comes together to give something amazing!

  With the holiday season quickly approaching, thought it'd be fun to share some of my favourite WishGifted items!


*Product links have been added for your convenience.  Wishgift.ca allows any gift to be registered from any store and is independent from all stores linked in this blog.

Outdoor WishGifts:

 

Little Tikes Endless Adventures Playground

Bayberry Outdoor Playhouse

Kidwise Castle Bounce House

Electronic WishGifts:

LeapFrog LeapPad 2

X-Box Kinect

Nintendo Wii

Little Boy WishGifts:

 

Melissa & Doug 60 piece Block Set

Hockey Night in Canada Mini Steel Set (with extras)

Melissa & Doug Workbench

Little Girl WishGifts:

 

Disney Princess 12 piece Dress-Up kit

KidCraft Majestic Mansion

American Girl Dolls: McKenna Doll & Book

 Ride-On WishGifts:

Classic Pickup Truck

Fisher-Price Power Wheels Harley-Davidson

Disney Princess Bicycle

 

Activity WishGifts:

 

  

Like the idea of giving-together towards a group-gift?  Follow my blog and join me on my Social Networking sites to share gifts ideas and inspire.

 

 

 

Perfect gift for my tot!

Tomorrow is my son's 2nd birthday party!  Like most moms, birthdays have me planning, decorating and reflecting on how quickly time passes.  Afterall, it certainly doesn't feel like it's been a whole year since we celebrated Scott's 1st birthday!

Last year's party was such a hit at Quinn Farm that we decided to host his party there once again.  The kids loved the tractor ride, playing and picking pumpkins in the patch, decorating their pumpkins, visiting the animals... and I loved not having to clean up!

 

Of course, as is with any birthday, there are always gifts involved.  This year, more than ever, I feel great knowing that I made my guests' lives a little simpler and registered a gift.  I don't know what it was this past week, but it seemed like everyone was super busy with work, school and just day-to-day life.  I'm pretty sure that many of my guests would not have had the time to shop for Scott's gift and I feel relieved knowing that I made their lives a little less hectic.

Scott made choosing his WishGift a little easier this year.  My husband Danny and I were in a little dispute as to what Scott would love.  After witnessing the same passion with tools as his dad, we both agreed that he'd love a Melissa and Doug Workbench however I thought it'd be great to compliment the workbench with a Handy Manny Talkin' Tools Set while Danny thought Scott would love a Melissa and Doug Solid Wood Stacking Blocks set.  That same night, Scott proudly showed off a tower he constructed from his sister's dollhouse furniture and stacking blocks were registered!



We ordered the two items from a wonderful, family-run toy store called the Cape Breton Baby Company.  I chose their site over other large retailers due to their customer service and competitive pricing with shipping.  We got the parcel within a week of placing the order and just in time for tomorrow's party.  Can't wait for everyone to see the awesome gifts they contributed towards and Scotty's reaction when he sees things he can build and smash down!!