You buy thisCognitive1½–3 yrsAt home

Shape sorter

The original puzzle, and still one of the best.

Prep

0 min

Mess

None

How to play

Start with just the circle — it goes in at any angle, so he gets an early win. Add one shape at a time as he gets it. Let him struggle a little before you help.

What you need

A shape sorter box or bucket.

What it secretly builds

Cognitive

He has to see a shape, picture the matching hole, and turn his wrist to line them up. That mental rotation is real spatial thinking.

Where to find itSpin again