Melissa & Doug Let's Explore Campfire S'Mores Play Set - Pretend Play Toy for Kids Ages 3+ | Outdoor Camping & Indoor Imaginative Play

I've had this on my watch list for about 2 years (since the product was first released). I finally purchased it because it went on sale for $11.Now, having owned it, I think I would be willing to pay $18; and $15 (which I have occasionally seen this set on sale for) is a GREAT price. I would be shocked if it is ever $11 again!I have a three year old, so with Melissa and Doug products I always do two things first thing when I open it: photocopy the cardboard box pictures, and hide the cardboard boxes away (and some year when she is old enough to take care of them I will bring them out.) For this s'mores set, I grabbed some similar-looking treat boxes from Dollar Tree to substitute for the M&D graham cracker and chocolate boxes. That way if they get smashed I can just go buy another. Sometimes if the box is small I might choose to tape it up with packing tape instead to give it structure. Because I have a photocopy of the pictures on the boxes, I can always print off the box pictures from my computer and tape them onto a different box. So there are a few different options to help you prolong the life of your (very cute!) cardboard boxes (which are doomed from the start if we are all being honest!)Pros:-They've thought of everything for a complete roleplay experience! We are able to roleplay the s'mores experience from the very first step: going to the "store" to buy ingredients. Then we cut our wood, build a fire, and cook our s'mores! Repeat. Repeat. Repeat! Seriously. My kids LOVE this!-I've researched all the pretend play s'mores options and I like this one best because you can "cook" the marshmallows by flipping them inside out. It's genius!Cons:-The cardboard boxes won't last. Plan accordingly!Flipping the marshmallows in and out is too difficult for younger kids. If purchasing for a young child, plan to play WITH them because they will ask for your help constantly, OR leave one marshmallow white and the other marshmallow on the toasted side so they can switch from one to the other on their own if playing individually.-Cutting the logs has been more fun than I anticipated. However, we've only played with the set for 2 days and the velcro on the logs is already showing more wear than I am comfortable with. I'm sad about that, but I keep replacement velcro tabs (purchased in bulk from Amazon) and toy glue on hand for just such an occasion.-The mesh bag is a nice touch; it can hold MOST of the items (the fire ring is too big), but it seems like an oversight for it to be mesh? Maybe it is a safety matter for M&D, but the velcro on the various items is CONSTANTLY getting stuck on the sides of the mesh bag. I might end up storing in a plastic drawstring I already have hanging out at my house.