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Toys don’t have to light up, play dozens of different songs, speak phrases in five different languages, or feature tech-heavy use options just to help your baby develop new skills. Shape sorters are a classic favorite for a reason. These beloved boxes, wooden playthings, and other types of toys highlight geometry and can make it fun for your kiddo to learn about math – while building spatial-reasoning, problem-solving, fine motor, and language abilities.
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If you’re not sure which type of shape sorter is the best toy for your tot, don’t stress. From cubes to cupcakes (yes, cupcakes), you have choices. And, we’ve done the research to help you select a sorter right now.
What is a shape sorter toy?
It’s all in the name! These toys encourage young children to sort shapes. Most shape sorters have block-like pieces in a variety of geometric forms – such as squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, and ovals. Some sorters also include diamonds, hearts, flowers, or other “fancy” shapes. Along with shapes, these toys may also encourage young children to sort by color or number.
While all of these toys focus on the basic idea of separating shapes into like or similar categories, they may look different or require the child to use them in different ways. A sorter may have an open box with shaped holes that the child must place the pieces into, pegs to stack shapes, or another similar design.
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What to look for in a shape sorter toy
Safety is the primary issue when choosing a shape sorter for an infant or toddler. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), children under age three should not play with toys that have small parts. These can pose a serious choking risk. Before you buy a shape sorter, look for the age recommendations. If it is not labeled for children under three, keep searching for a sorter that is intended for infants/toddlers.
Shape sorters provide benefits galore. To make the most of the problem-solving, math, fine motor, and other skill-building abilities of these toys, choose sorters that have several different shapes, different colors, and encourage hands-on play. Thick or three-dimensional pieces are easy for little hands to grip and the addition of bold colors can help children to sort and match.
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Think about convenience and the practical aspects of the toy before you invest in a sorter. Is the toy easy to clean? Is it made from a durable material? It’s common for young children to chew or gum playthings. Not only can this pose a choking risk, this can leave the pieces of the toy sticky and slobbery. To keep your kiddo’s sorter gunk and germ-free, you’ll need a toy that is easy to clean. Look for products that wipe clean or or dishwasher-safe.
If you’re still not sure which shape sorter is the best option for your child, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites to get you started.
Here are the best shape sorter toys for little ones:
Fisher-Price Stacking Toy Baby’s First Blocks for Sorting Play
Best for Travel
The Fisher-Price Stacking Toy Baby’s First Blocks for Sorting Play is a set of 10 shapes that comes with an easy-to-carry bucket container. Recommended for infants six-months and up, this toy features bold colors and large three-dimensional shape pieces.
- For Ages
- 6 months – 5 years
- Batteries Required
- no
- Assembly Required
- no
- Interactive
- yes
- Number of Pieces
- 11
- Dimensions
- 8.27 x 5.12 x 4.92 inches
- Material
- plastic
- Comes with its own container
- Convenient carry handle
- Price
- Inside of the blocks may be hard to clean completely
This classic shape sorter has everything your child needs and more! The Fisher-Price Stacking Toy Baby’s First Blocks for Sorting Play includes 10 different shape pieces in bright, bold colors. But that’s not all! The sorter box also doubles as a storage container, making it easier for you to keep your kiddo’s playthings in check.
Not only can you store the shape cubes in the container, the convenient carry handle makes it easy for your tot to take this toy out and about on their travels. And, if you’re wondering whether your kiddo will really carry this sorter around, plenty of parents have already found that they do, “My daughter loves the little handle and carries it around all the time.”
Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube
Best Value
$14 $19 Save $5
With 12 shapes, the Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube is a fun way for toddlers to learn about shapes, colors, and more! Recommended for toddlers two and up.
- For Ages
- 2+
- Batteries Required
- no
- Assembly Required
- no
- Interactive
- yes
- Number of Pieces
- 13
- Dimensions
- 6.3 x 6.3 x 6.3 inches
- Material
- wood
- Stylish design
- Easy-to-slide-off lid
- Sturdy wooden construction
- Not recommended for very young infants
The Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube scores high marks for style and design. The wooden cube is solid, durable, and has a natural look that appeals to both children and their parents. With over 24,000 ratings and close to five stars, it’s pretty obvious that this cube is a top pick. Parents praise the high-quality construction, with one noting, “My son has thrown every piece (including the box), on a daily basis. No broken or damaged pieces.”
The 12 different 3D shapes each fit neatly into the matching holes on the sides or top of this box. And, when your kiddo is done playing, simply slide the lid off and store the pieces inside. While this cute container doesn’t have a carry-handle, it’s light enough for parents to easily pick up and move from room to room or take on their next family trip.
Green Toys Shape Sorter
$13 $20 Save $7
The almost-aliene-like shape of the Green Toys Shape Sorter makes this toy stand out from the pack. Recommended for infants six-months and up, this shape sorter comes with a variety of 3D shapes and is made from 100 percent recycled plastic milk jugs.
- For Ages
- 6 months +
- Batteries Required
- no
- Assembly Required
- no
- Interactive
- yes
- Number of Pieces
- 9
- Dimensions
- 8 x 5.2 x 8 inches
- Material
- 100% Recycled Plastic
- Made from recycled plastic
- Dishwasher safe
- BPA-free
- Only includes four different shapes
If you’re looking for an Earth-friendly toy, the Green Toys Shape Sorter is it! The BPA and phthalate-free toy is made from recycled milk jugs, making it an eco-conscious option. Not only is the toy made from recycled materials – so is the packaging.
The two hemisphere design easily comes apart for different types of play and the rounded shapes are free of sharp edges, adding to this sorter’s safety. Like other similar products, the sorter has shaped holes for your child to put like-shaped blocks into. This model comes with stars, squares, circles, and triangles.
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If cleaning is a concern, you can either wipe the plastic exterior or put it into the dishwasher. Along with cleaning convenience, this recycled plastic sorter has a high-quality construction. Parents praise the durability, saying, “The plastic on this thing is extremely durable. There is not one dent in it after owning it for half a year. The color does not fade or wear out.”
Melissa & Doug Match and Roll Shape Sorter
Best Design
$15 $25 Save $10
The Melissa & Doug Match and Roll Shape Sorter has a cylinder shape – instead of the traditional box-type sorter design. Recommended for infants and toddlers 12-months and up, the drum-like toy has bold colors and plenty of complex geometric shapes.
- For Ages
- 12 months – 3 years
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- Yes
- Number of Pieces
- 12+
- Dimensions
- 3.5 x 8.5 x 11 inches
- Material
- Wood
- Variety of shapes
- Colorful cylinder design
- Durable construction
- Not easy for a young toddler to carry
The Melissa & Doug Match and Roll Shape Sorter is a toy that scores high marks for its bold style. Unlike the box-y sorters, this one has a cylinder design. While it might look like a drum, this toy doesn’t make music. But, don’t worry – it has plenty of other uses.
Infants and toddlers can match the pieces to the holes in the side by shape or by color. The added color recognition activity gives this sorter a bonus way to play. Along with basic shapes, such as ovals and triangles, this top pick also comes with parallelograms, diamonds, ovals, pentagons, and more! Even though this sorter doesn’t come with a carry-handle like some other products do, your kiddo can transport it in other ways. More specifically, they can turn it on its cylindrical side and roll it. Parents seem to enjoy this aspect of the sorter and everything else about the Melissa & Doug toy, “It’s great for learning colors and shapes. Plus the shapes all fit inside the toy and the toy can roll as well.”
Amazon Basics Wooden Shape Sorter and Rainbow Stacker
Best Multiple Play Options
The Amazon Basics Wooden Shape Sorter and Rainbow Stacker comes with a carry-handle container, a variety of block shapes, and an extra stacking ring. Recommended for infants and toddlers 12-months and up.
- For Ages
- 12+ months
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- Yes
- Number of Pieces
- 16+
- Dimensions
- 7.9 x 6.8 x 4.3 inches
- Material
- Wood
- Comes with a stacking toy
- Made from FSC-certified wood
- Easy-to-use handle
- Colors aren?t as bold as some other sorters
Keep your kiddo busy with the Amazon Basics Wooden Shape Sorter and Rainbow Stacker. This two-in-one toy features a classic shape sorter box, blocks, and a ring stacker. This adds extra fine motor fun to play-time!
Parents adore the open-ended play options of this multi-use sorter “One of the standout features of this toy is its versatility. While the shape sorter and stacker can be enjoyed separately, combining them opens up even more play possibilities. This encourages imaginative play and allows children to explore different ways of interacting with the toy.”
The wood and plastic toy is durable and made from quality materials. This means less chance of damage and years of use. Each sorter comes with 10 blocks in five different shapes, textured stacking rings, and a wooden dowel stacking pole.
VTech Sort and Discover Drum
Best Multi-Sensory Sorter
$13 $15 Save $2
The VTech Sort and Discover Drum has five different shapes of blocks and plays 50-plus songs, sounds, and phrases. Recommended for infants and toddlers six-months through three years.
- For Ages
- 6 months – 3 years
- Batteries Required
- Yes; 2 AAA batteries
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- Yes
- Number of Pieces
- 7
- Dimensions
- 4.61 x 7.48 x 7.48 inches
- Material
- Plastic
- Bright colors
- Plays 50-plus songs and sounds
- Includes flashing light feature
- Requires two AAA batteries
Get ready to make some noise! The VTech Sort and Discover Drum is a top choice among parents who are looking for a multi-sensory sorter. This toy provides the basic shape sorting experience – and so much more.
Known for tech-type toys, as the name implies, Vtech has turned the classic sorter into a more modern experience. Instead of just sorting, your child can pat the drum-like design and play 50 or more melodies, sounds, and phrases. Use the sensitivity switch to adjust the volume and customize the sound-based play for your baby. And, don’t worry about accidentally leaving this toy on for too long. It features an automatic shut-off.
Parents don’t just enjoy the sounds and sorting fun this toy has to offer. They also note it’s high quality construction, “Durable material, it has fallen off my desk onto the hard floor numerous times without breaking. Stickers hold up well on the pieces. Great value.”
Bright Starts Sweet Cupcakes Shape Sorter Toy
Best for Imaginative Play
The Bright Starts Sweet Cupcakes Shape Sorter Toy is an imaginative food-themed sorter for babies three-plus months. It features six faux cupcakes and a serving tray.
- For Ages
- 3 Months+
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- Yes
- Number of Pieces
- 13
- Dimensions
- 9 x 3.2 x 8.3 inches
- Material
- 100% plastic
- Cute cupcake design
- Easy to wipe clean
- Doubles as a pretend play toy for toddlers
This toy may look like a tin of six pretend play cupcakes from the outside. But when your child takes the Bright Starts Sweet Cupcakes Shape Sorter Toy apart, they’ll reveal a sweet surprise – shapes!
Each cupcake has a hidden shape compartment inside. Match the faux frosting with the shape to create a cupcake-themed game. Even though the cupcake sorter is recommended for infants three-months and up, it isn’t just a toy for babies. As your child grows into the toddler and preschooler years, they can use the cupcakes in imaginative play scenes. This means you’ll get more value for the already-low cost!
If you’re not sure how these cupcakes will stand up to your tot’s rough play, take it from this parent, “They are very durable! My 1 1\2 year old has washed them, banged them on countless surfaces, and early on tried to chew them.”
Hellowood Sorting and Stacking Montessori Toy
Best Peg Style Sorter
$14 $18 Save $4
The Hellowood Sorting and Stacking Montessori Toy is a board and peg style sorter with 24 flat geometric blocks. Recommended for infants 12-months and up.
- For Ages
- 12+ Months
- Batteries Required
- No
- Assembly Required
- No
- Interactive
- Yes
- Number of Pieces
- 24
- Dimensions
- 9.84 x 5.91 x 2.36 inches
- Material
- rubber wood
- Set includes 24 blocks
- Shape, color, or number matching game options
- Durable design
Not all shape sorters come in cubes or containers. The Hellowood Sorting and Stacking Montessori Toy uses a flat board and peg or dowel type of design to hold in the wooden blocks. Instead of pushing blocks through a hole, your child can match shapes, colors, and numbers of pegs as they push the pieces down onto the dowels.
This top pick includes a rubber wood base and is made with lead-free paint. Along with circle, rectangle, triangle, hexagonal, star, and square blocks, you’ll also get 12 shape word cards for an additional vocab lesson. Each block (other than the rectangle shape) is more than two-by-two inches and, according to this review, the pieces are, “Super big that cover adults palm size.” Look for a variety of rainbow colors in bold eye-catching hues too!
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Why do babies love sorting toys?
Your kiddo is drawn to their shape sorter. But, why? Even though you know that these toys help infants and toddlers to develop fine motor and cognitive skills while learning about basic math concepts, your child just thinks the sorter is fun.
The bright colors and different shapes appeal to young children. Not only do the toys provide a visual sensory experience, they also have tactile aspects that encourage little ones to explore and experiment through their sense of touch.
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By one-year many infants can pick up small objects with their thumb and pointer finger, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As your child develops this, and other fine motor skills, they will need more ways to practice picking things up, gripping objects, and using their newfound abilities.
Between changes in fine motor function and an increasing sense of independence, your kiddo may start to look for and enjoy experiences that allow them to explore. Shape sorters can provide this – and so much more!
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