We have no shortage of wooden peg-puzzles in our house. This cute, simple, farm puzzle was a favorite of my eldest when he was around 2, and now it has become my younger son's favorite as well.

Product Description:

The puzzle is of the "hide and seek" variety (the pictures under the pieces are different than the pictures on top of the pieces). There are a total of 9 differently-shaped pieces with red plastic pegs for easy lifting.

The Farm Hide and Seek Peg Puzzle's surface depicts a pleasant farm scene complete with a red barn, a covered truck, a hay stack, hen house, and bushes. As you lift off the pieces the farm animals appear -- a cow in the barn, a cat in the barn's loft, sheep in the truck bed, and the farmer napping behind the haystack. There's also a horse in his stall, dogs in a wagon, hens in the hen house, pigs behind a little apple tree, and ducks behind a bush.

The puzzle's base measures 9 inches by 12 inches and is recommended for children ages 2 to 5.

Thoughts & Experiences:

I think my boys love the "hide and seek" nature of this puzzle - the fact that the pictures underneath are different than the pictures on the top. My little guy squeals with delight when he reveals the cow, horse, or ducks (some of his favorite animals).

I like the pictures on the puzzle. They're attractive without being too cartoony. Overall it is a pleasant little farm scene with lots of nice detail. It has proved to be quite sturdy and has held up beautifully through play by both of my rough and tumble little boys.

This was the first puzzle my eldest really enjoyed when he was a young toddler, and now at almost 2 my youngest has discovered it and loves it as well. My littlest guy loves animals and enjoys the bright, colorful scene.

While most of the pieces are fairly easy for toddler-aged kids to work, both of my boys had the most trouble with the apple tree/pig pen puzzle piece. It is an oval shape with a slight hump to one side, and since it is a bush-like piece without an obvious top or bottom to the picture there isn't much of a visual cue to tell them how to line the piece up properly (the best way to tell is that the mud to one side is lighter than the mud on the other side - which is a bit subtle for the intended toddler-aged audience). It has been the most frustrating piece for them by far -- even I want to put it in the wrong way at times.

Final Thoughts:

Both of my boys loved this particular puzzle as toddlers. The Farm Hide and Seek Peg Puzzle is a sturdy, attractive puzzle that has held up well despite being used heavily by my two little boys.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 5.99