Montessori Earth Core Puzzle

I love the idea of this puzzle. I have a young child who is obsessed with the earth (volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics etc). It can be challenging to find age appropriate toys to fit his interests, so I was very excited to find this peg puzzle. So excited in fact, that I bought a second puzzle when the first one broke the first time we used it. Today we opened the second puzzle. It also broke within 5 minutes of its first use. The first one broke when I was playing with my son and I was the one who broke the piece. The second one broke with my son playing gently with it while sitting at the table. As a mother of a young boy, I know kids can be hard on stuff, but neither time was a result of anyone playing rough with it. The pieces are very thin (the crust piece in particular) and the wood used is very brittle. The pieces fit very "snuggly" into the puzzle and in fact don't really fit. Trying to get them to go back in breaks them. My son was so excited to get the second one and after seeing the first on break, was being very cautious with this one. He burst into tears and cried and cried over having it break in his hands when he did nothing wrong. So disappointing.

Good quality but the pieces stick a little. I think after a few uses in the classroom it will be just fine.

I was anticipating a wood puzzle that was a bit more sturdy given that it is used by young (3-6) children. Colors are vibrant and appealing. Could you make it a bit beefier please???

It's hard for a 3 year old to grip

Product is not made well it literally broke after two days. Wish it was made sturdy and well. You’re better off printing it and laminating the paper cut it will last you longer.

I ordered this because it is exactly what I wanted in my classroom. It arrived with warped pieces. I returned it (easily)and ordered another one. The next one arrived and the pieces were so tight my students would not be able to use it.

made of wood, true colors!