Wooden Shape Sorter Box — 15 Shapes

A wooden box with fifteen shaped openings cut into its sides and a matching wooden piece for each one. Your child works out which hole a piece belongs to and posts it through. The pieces collect inside the box.

How you play

1. Tip the pieces out and spread them where your child can see them.
2. Pick up one piece and turn it to look at its shape.
3. Find the opening on the box that matches it.
4. Push it through, then move on to the next piece.
5. Keep going until all fifteen are inside.

What it builds

• Shape recognition and sorting, with each shape named as it is matched
• Fine motor control from turning a piece to line it up with its hole
• Problem solving by trial and error — a piece that does not fit says so immediately
• Visual attention, scanning the sides of the box for the right opening

Three ways to play it

• Name the shape before your child posts it, so the words attach to the pieces
• Turn the box so a different side faces up and let them hunt for the opening again
• For an older child, hand them a piece to feel for the shape with their eyes closed

The details

• Ages: 1–6 years
• Pieces: 15
• Material: wood