Best Pegged Puzzles of 2026

"I've bought this puzzle three times over the years, not because it wore out, but because I kept giving it away when I thought I was done having kids. Melissa & Doug toys last a long time and some could be considered heirlooms. My toddler laughs at the animal sounds every time she plays, and it's a wonderful way to teach her about farm animals."

"I love that this puzzle is sturdy and perfect for little hands. The animal sounds add an extra layer of fun, making it more engaging for my toddler. We've collected several from this series and they all get a lot of use in our house. The on/off switch is a lifesaver for when we need quiet time."

"Initially, I thought the puzzle was broken because it wasn't making sounds, but I realized it actually works best in bright light. Now, my 14-month-old is absolutely obsessed with it. The puzzle is a huge hit and I'm glad I gave it another chance!"

"My daughter is absolutely thrilled with this noise puzzle! The pieces are just as shown in the pictures, and the sounds are both accurate and enjoyable. I also appreciate the solid quality of the whole product."

"I bought this for my 2.5-year-old grandson and he can't get enough of it. The clear sounds make the puzzle extra entertaining without being too loud. I feel like it’s really helping him learn while playing, so I’m very happy with this purchase!"

"I’m a big fan of how sturdy and engaging this puzzle is. The on/off switch in the back makes it easy for my 1.5-year-old to use, and I love how the realistic sounds teach kids about emergency vehicles. The bright pieces and manageable size are perfect for little hands learning how puzzles work."

"I discovered the puzzle works best in a well-lit area; if the room is too dark, the music won’t play. Once I improved the lighting, everything worked perfectly. My child loves having control over the songs and enjoys the puzzle much more than previous ones. The pieces are well made and great for learning."

"Although I saw some mixed reviews, I found that as long as there’s enough light, the puzzle works flawlessly. My daughter is a big fan of Ms. Rachel, and she’s thrilled by the music. It’s a fun, interactive puzzle at a great price."

"I was excited for this puzzle, but the sound rarely works in my house, even with new batteries and good lighting. The music only plays for a second, if at all. While my toddler still enjoys the characters, I wish the sound feature was more reliable."

"As a developmental specialist, I’m always looking for toys that are both robust and developmentally appropriate for toddlers. This puzzle stands out with its thick, chunky pieces that are easy for little hands to manage, and I love that each piece has a matching image underneath to aid in learning. The realistic animal colors and full paint coverage make it appealing and practical for teaching animal names, sounds, and colors. My young clients love it, and it’s become a versatile tool for fine motor and cognitive skill development."

"I bought this for my grandson’s second birthday, and it’s instantly become his favorite toy. The vivid colors and sturdy pieces immediately captured his attention—he even insists on taking the animal pieces with him everywhere! The puzzle does double duty as both a matching activity and an imaginative play set, since the pieces can stand on their own. It’s a fantastic value, and I’ve already bought more puzzles from this brand for other occasions."

"I was impressed right out of the box—no setup required, and the chunky wooden pieces are perfect for my toddler’s hands. The solid, durable feel reassures me it’ll last, and my child loves using the pieces to learn animal names and colors. It’s engaging, educational, and I’d definitely buy it again or gift it to friends."

"I bought this as a gift for my granddaughter, and she just can't put it down! The quality is fantastic, and it's clear that the sturdy build will last through lots of playtime."

"My nine-month-old is obsessed with this puzzle. She loves pulling out the pieces, and the larger size plus weight make it feel much more durable than other puzzles we've tried. It's definitely a toy she'll enjoy for a long time."

"I'm a huge fan of Melissa and Doug toys, and this puzzle doesn't disappoint. The large wooden knobs are perfect for little hands, and it's a great way to teach shapes, colors, and basic house structure. Just keep an eye out, as the images on a couple of pieces started to peel slightly when my toddler chewed on them."

"I absolutely love all Melissa and Doug toys for their excellent quality and educational value. This puzzle is colorful, cute, and sized just right for small hands—it's a must-have for any child."

"I recently gave this puzzle to my 2.5-year-old grandson, and he was immediately drawn to it. The preformed design pieces and matching base make it so much easier for him to learn. He enjoys the fun characters and learning through play—definitely worth every penny!"

"My granddaughter is a huge fan of Mickey and Minnie, so she was thrilled with this puzzle. It's sturdy, high-quality, and very easy for her to place the pieces. She absolutely loves playing with it!"

"I love how durable and well-made these wooden alphabet puzzles are. The colors are so vibrant, and the pieces are the perfect thickness for little hands. My child has really improved in recognizing letters and colors while playing. It’s definitely a great value for a quality learning toy."

"My grandson has really enjoyed this puzzle. The construction is solid and the colors cheerful, making it a fun way for him to learn the alphabet. It’s become one of his favorite activities."

"I was initially hesitant about the price, but after seeing the product, I realized it’s worth every penny—excellent color, sturdy build, and just the right size and weight for a toddler. My 2.5-year-old is obsessed with it!"

"As a parent, I’m always searching for toys that are both entertaining and educational, and the Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle really delivers. The sturdy, thick wood and vibrant illustrations make it a standout. The jumbo knobs are perfect for my toddler’s hands, helping with fine motor skills while keeping her engaged. I also love that we can use the animal pieces for imaginative play, and it’s been a fantastic way to teach animal names and sounds. It feels high-quality and durable—definitely worth the investment."

"This puzzle is absolutely perfect for my little one! The chunky knobs make it easy for my toddler to grab and move the pieces, and the wooden construction holds up to lots of use. The bright, friendly animals keep my child’s attention, and it’s really helped with hand-eye coordination and problem-solving. I’m very happy with the overall quality and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, educational toy."

"I’ve been impressed by how durable and easy to clean this puzzle is—even after my baby throws it around, it still looks great. I love that it’s a quiet toy with no batteries needed, making it perfect for calm playtime. The large pieces and handles are ideal for little hands, and my child is learning through play every time."

"My toddler picked up this puzzle so quickly—it’s exactly right for her age. I love how she can now put the pieces together by herself. The animal sounds are really engaging, although sometimes the sounds go off even if she just waves her hand over the puzzle. Still, it’s been a great learning tool for us!"

"Both my twins are absolutely obsessed with this puzzle, especially the rooster! I was surprised at how fast they learned to match the shapes. I did notice it only works when there’s enough light in the room, but once I figured that out, everything worked perfectly. It’s a wonderful educational toy."

"The quality of the pieces is fantastic, just like all Melissa and Doug products I’ve tried. The animal shapes are cute and easy for little hands. Sometimes the puzzle makes noises unexpectedly, but that’s easy to fix by just turning it off when not in use."

"I really appreciate the durable and very colorful quality of these puzzles. My only challenge is that the pieces fit very exactly, making it a bit tough for my 19-month-old grandchild to maneuver them into place. She gets frustrated quickly when the puzzle doesn't fit easily, but I think it might get better as she gets older."

"The dinosaur puzzles have been a huge hit in our house! The pieces are vibrant, sturdy, and perfectly sized for little hands. I love that the set offers different difficulty levels, which keeps my kids engaged. Watching my child learn about dinosaurs while playing makes these puzzles a fantastic mix of fun and education."

"These puzzles are cute and feature bright colors. I like the addition of pegs, which makes them easier for my baby to hold. My granddaughter enjoys playing with them every day!"