Learning Resources UK Play Money Assortment, Ages vs Melissa & Doug Wooden Ice Cream Toy Shop: Which Should You Buy?
Budget play money or a full wooden ice cream shop for several times more: how big should the shop be?
Learning Resources Learning Resources UK Play Money Assortment, Ages 3–7, Realistic
Melissa & Doug Melissa & Doug Wooden Ice Cream Toy Shop | Role
Side by side
| Learning Resources UK Play Money Assortment, Ages | Melissa & Doug Wooden Ice Cream Toy Shop | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | See on Amazon → | See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.5 | ★★★★★ 4.8 |
| Review count | 2,244 | 8,176 |
| Brand | Learning Resources | Melissa & Doug |
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Our verdict
Really, these two want to be combined, since the ice cream shop needs customers with cash. Learning Resources' 60-piece UK play money set (4.5 stars) gives children realistic pence, pounds and notes for counting, adding and pretend-shop budgeting, all for very little. Melissa & Doug's wooden ice cream parlour (4.8 stars, 8,176 reviews, and several times dearer) supplies the shop itself, with a mechanical scooper, reusable menu and sturdy wooden build. The Melissa & Doug earns its premium with a higher rating and far richer play, while the money set is the clever budget bolt-on. Tight budget, take the money set; big birthday, take the shop, and ideally add the coins.
Which one is for you?
- Buy the Learning Resources play money if you want a cheap, curriculum-friendly way to teach counting with realistic UK coins. Read our full look at the Learning Resources UK Play Money Assortment, Ages →
- Buy the Melissa & Doug ice cream shop if you want a substantial wooden role play set that will survive years of service. Read our full look at the Melissa & Doug Wooden Ice Cream Toy Shop →
Prices are pulled live from Amazon.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in Pretend Play or see the whole Toys & Games department. New to the category? Start with our buying guide.