Wooden Scoop & Serve Ice Cream Counter, Pretend Play

I was skeptical at first, spending nearly forty bucks on what's essentially a wooden play set for my five-year-old. But I'd heard from other parents that it kept their kids engaged for hours, and mine was getting restless with his usual toys. So, I took a chance on Melissa & Doug's Wooden Scoop & Serve Ice Cream Counter.

I'll admit, when it arrived, the vibrant colors and sturdy wood did impress me. But would my son, Oliver, be as enthusiastic? Turns out, he was absolutely smitten. He's been playing with this set every day for almost a month now, and I've barely seen him without that cute little ice cream scooper in his hand.

What really sold it for me were the details. The way each piece is designed to fit perfectly into another - like the way the cones stack on top of each other or how the toppings nest into their own bowls - it's brilliant. It makes Oliver feel like a real chef, encouraging him to create all sorts of crazy ice cream sundaes. Plus, there are so many pieces that he can't possibly get bored; he's still discovering new ways to combine them.

Another thing I loved was how it seemed to stimulate his imagination and cognitive skills without me even realizing it. He started counting the scoops he'd use for each 'customer', remembering their orders, and even practicing simple addition when he ran out of cherries (apparently, everyone wants cher