Plan Toy Shape and Sort It Out

by Plan Toys

Product Features

• Ideal for recognition of colors and shapes
• Development Of HandEye Coordination
• Great Size For Little Hands
• The Box Serves As Storage For The Blocks
• This Toy Is Made From All Natural Organic Recycled Rubber Wood

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 6.1 x 4.3 inches ; 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000ITIV
• Item model number: 943001
• Manufacturer recommended age: 12 months - 10 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,065 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #56 in Toys & Games > Baby & Toddler Toys > Stacking & Nesting Toys
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Teacher Review

Shape sorters have been a favorite toddler toy for over 50 years. In fact, this finely crafted shape sorter has the look of an old-fashioned family heirloom, with a smoothly sanded, sturdy wooden box with rounded, dovetailed corners and a natural finish. The yellow, removable wooden lid has three openings in different shapes to accommodate the painted wooden shape blocks: two red cylinders, two blue cubes, and two green pyramids. In addition to color and shape recognition, this toy helps toddlers develop hand-eye coordination and learn matching skills by discovering that the square shape fits in the square hole (and it works the same way every time!). The small blocks can also be used for stacking and beginning patterning activities, and the box and blocks could also be combined with other blocks for open-ended play. Parents (and grandparents) who like classic wooden toys will find this an excellent value. --Marcie Bovetz is a former children's librarian and senior editor in educational publishing, as well as the author of 41 children's books. She has three teenagers in her family.

Product Description

Encourages recognition of colors and shapes as well as the development of hand-eye coordination.

Playtime Ideas:

• The shape-sorter features three basic shapes - a circle, triangle and square and also includes 6 shapes in primary colors for sorting.
• Sorting shapes develops hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and color recognition ability.
• Children also learn to solve problems through trial and error.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Colorful, Quality Toy, November 14, 2006

By 

C. Mallon "Attached Mama" (NH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plan Toy Shape and Sort It Out (Toy)

I chose to buy this shape sorter for my 12 month old because it is solid wood and the shapes only fit through their own holes. This is important, because MANY shape sorters have more shapes, but they will frequently fit through more than one shape hole.
This toy good for Montessori-style learning, because it has the natural control of error.
This toy is simple, but good quality, and my daughter loves it.
The lid is not attached, like some, but that's fine. We play with it togther and she has almost as much fun matching the lid to the box!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid design, Rich colors, Non-toxic, Rounded edges, August 16, 2008

By 

PhotoMama (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Plan Toy Shape and Sort It Out (Toy)

I purchased this shape sorter for my 17 month old about a month ago, and I am really pleased. We had previously purchased another Plan Toys Shape Sorter Plan Toy Shape and Sort with a very similar name but different design. My child never really took to it, partly because it is not the most intuitive design. She never really figured out the intended way to retrieve the shapes, though she did get creative and find another way! It seemed clear to me that she would be more interested in dropping shaped blocks into a container where she could retrieve them.

Before purchasing I had read a review that pointed out that this a fool proof design in that the shapes will only fit into the right spot. We have found that to be true.

After receiving this sorter, my daughter mastered the round spot quickly and is very good at the other shapes as well. There are two of each shape, so your child can reinforce what they learn when they hit the right spot by putting the same shape in again right away. The lid fits nicely, resting in a groove. It is slightly weighty so it works well and is easy to remove and replace.

I love that this toy is non-toxic with safer rounded edges. Wood toys can be less toxic but a potential hard surface to fall on, so rounded edges show that someone put thought and care into the design.

The wood is a beautiful, matte finish. It feels good in your hands. The colors are rich, and engaging for my child. I don't think you can go wrong with this one!

Update: As my child grew older, she did some of their first stacking with these blocks. The matte finish gives them some grip so they are not as difficult as the Baby's First Blocks by Haba (which I also recommend).

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great sorting box from a great company, February 25, 2010

By 

Silea (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Plan Toy Shape and Sort It Out (Toy)

Yes, the lid does come right off. But for the reviewer complaining that their child has more fun taking the lid off than sorting the blocks: isn't this a toy? If they're having fun doing their own thing, i'm not sure what the trouble is. Sooner or later they'll get into that obsessive sorting stage.

This toy is very solidly built. The blocks are solid wood, the box is sturdy, and the lid fits perfectly on top. It doesn't lock or clip or lock in, there's no hinge. It's a piece of wood that rests on top of the box, and that makes it very easy for the child to remove it and pull the blocks out so they can start sorting all over again. I can't speak for other parents or their kids, but mine loves to upend the box and dump everything out, lid and all. He wouldn't be able to have that fun if the lid locked into place, and i'm glad i don't have to be involved in liberating the blocks every time he's put them all into the box.

(And for anyone who doesn't know much about the Plan Toy company, my favorite thing about them is that they use food-grade dyes for their products, so you never have to worry about your child ingesting toxic chemicals by chewing on them. They also source renewable wood and engage in a variety of other eco-friendly policies.)