The Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Set features an abundance of nostalgic ice cream parlor charm, starting with its sturdy red-and-white, striped storage container. The set includes four realistic molded plastic ice cream scoops in chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and mint chocolate chip "flavors." Two wooden cones and two plastic scoopers with painted wooden handles round out the set.

The scoopers, cones, and four ice cream scoops are all magnetic, so the scoopers can actually pick up the ice cream scoops and place them on the cones. They easily release by pressing the lever, like a real ice cream scooper. Magnets in the cones keep the scoops in place, even with a quadruple-dipped cone. (All magnets are located on the interior of the pieces, so there's no danger of the magnets breaking off and posing a serious risk to small children.)

Almost Good Enough to Eat This set carries realistic, authentic touches, from the classic ice cream scoopers to the waffle design on the wooden cones. The cones look so good that our child tester almost fooled an adult into thinking her cone was real.

With its simple design and sturdy build, the Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Set gives children ideal props to inspire their imaginations -- no batteries, bells, or whistles to limit the possibilities. The toy can also aid in developing motor skills every time a young child uses the ice cream scooper to stack and balance the scoops.

But it's a toy that older children will enjoy, too. The toy's sturdy, quality construction helps ensure that it will last through many years of play. Because it comes with two scoopers, this toy is ideal for group play, although some testers wished that the set had a few more pieces.