This is a pretty neat little idea. I bought this for my nephew along with a set of matchbox cars. And it was a hit. I'd bought him the road rug when he was two and though this isn't as easy to lay flat (because you fold it to make it into a tote) It is worth the money and my idea would be to not let them play with this unless they are going to someone's house who doesn't have kids, where they are going to have to entertain themselves... so it is special and they aren't whining that they have nothing to do! I loved this idea and looked all over for it. (You can't carry a rug around so this was perfect. When I was little, I had a plastic mat with a map of The Flinestone's town. It came with their little cars and snap together cave houses. It was so great and I spent hours playing with it. I guess now days a kid can last a while with an electronic toy but this idea sold me and I'm glad I bought it!