Working together – Melissa and Doug

Melissa and Doug

I admire couples who can work together side by side in a business.

24/7.

All day long.

Every day.

All year.

Frankly, I don’t know how they do it and stay sane. And married, not to mention productive. It might not be for me, but it seems to work for Melissa and Doug Bernstein.

Melissa and Doug are a husband and wife team who are now in their 20th year of creating award winning wooden toys and puzzles. They started their business when they were dating and operated out of Doug’s parents’ garage until they finally kicked them out. Two decades later, they continue to impress parents and teachers with their sturdy and intellectually stimulating toys for preschoolers and above.

Wooden Cutting Fruit Crate by Melissa and Doug

When I was homeschooling an older child, with a younger one in tow, I loved that I could pull out a Melissa and Doug toy and know it would provide some healthy, creative play and I didn’t feel forced to turn on the tv.  The latest favorites at my house are the ABC 123 Wooden Blocks 50 Piece Set.  Part of why I love it is the carry bag. I love toys that stay together. Every home with kids needs one fantastic set of wooden alphabet blocks.

The other fav that I never would have imagined is the Cutting Fruit Crate Pretend Play Set by Melissa and Doug . I have to admit this toy didn’t look that appealing. But apparently,
being able to slice your own wooden fruit is darn near to nirvana, because it’s the most popular toy at the play kitchen at our house.

Hats off to Melissa and Doug – here’s to 20 more years of success!

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