Which is better for a 5-year-old?

The Melissa & Doug Chocolate Factory Play Set. It is rated for ages 3 to 6, while the Crayola board is for ages 6 and up.

Which is better for a child who loves drawing?

The Crayola Ultimate Light Board. It has a reusable drawing surface, three LED light effects and a tracing mode.

Is the chocolate factory worth the extra money?

If your child is in the 3 to 6 range and likes pretend play, yes. It needs no batteries and has wooden pieces. At $35.49 at Target as of November 3, 2026, it costs about $25 more than the light board.

Which one lasts longer?

The wooden chocolate factory should hold up better over time. The light board is plastic and depends on batteries, and some buyers report scratched screens.

Do either need batteries?

Only the Crayola board. It takes 3 AA batteries, not included. The chocolate factory needs no batteries.

Which is easier to set up?

The Crayola board. It is ready to use once batteries are in. The chocolate factory requires assembly.

Crayola Ultimate Light Board, LED Tracing & Drawing Board vs Melissa & Doug Chocolate Factory Play Set

These are different toys for different ages. The Crayola Ultimate Light Board is a drawing and tracing tablet for kids 6 and up, and it is the cheaper pick at $10.62 at eBay as of November 3, 2026. The Melissa & Doug Chocolate Factory Play Set is a wooden pretend-play set for ages 3 to 6, priced at $35.49 at Target as of November 3, 2026. Buy the light board for an older child who likes to draw; buy the chocolate factory for a preschooler who likes pretend play.

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