Melissa & Doug
Shape Sorting Clock
7.5/10 overallAbout £20
A wooden shape-sorting clock toy that teaches shapes, colours, numbers and basic time-telling.
This is a solid wooden clock face with 12 removable, shaped number pieces and rotating hour and minute hands, aimed at teaching shape and colour recognition alongside early time-telling concepts.
Against the Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes and Lamaze Freddie the Firefly already in this category, the Shape Sorting Clock is pitched at an older stage — it's rated 3+ rather than for young infants, is entirely screen- and battery-free, and asks for more active problem-solving rather than passive sensory play. Against the VTech Baby's Learning Laptop, it trades the instant lights-and-sounds feedback of an electronic toy for a slower, hands-on learning style with no screen involved at all.
The main practical caveat is the 12 loose shaped pieces, which are a choking hazard for children under 3 and need to be kept away from younger siblings. It also relies more on adult involvement early on than an electronic toy that can hold a toddler's attention independently.
It's a good pick for parents who specifically want screen-free, durable wooden toys that can be handed down, and who have a toddler old enough to handle the small pieces safely.
What we liked
- Sturdy solid wood construction built to last and be handed down
- Teaches shapes, numbers and early time concepts
- No batteries or screens involved
- Classic design with a strong reputation
Where it falls short
- Small pieces are a choking hazard for children under 3
- Needs adult guidance to get full educational value
- Less immediately engaging than an electronic toy for very young toddlers
Specs
- Pieces
- 12 removable shaped numbers
- Material
- Wood
- Age range
- 3+ years
- Batteries
- None required
- Dimensions
- Approx. 23 x 23 x 11cm
How we scored it
Developmental Value
How directly the toy supports a specific skill — motor, language, cause-and-effect or sensory.
Directly teaches shape/number recognition and early time-telling concepts, going further educationally than the purely sensory toys in this category.
Safety & Durability
Build quality, choke-hazard-free design and how well it survives being thrown, chewed and dropped.
Solid wood build is very durable, but the 12 loose shaped pieces are a choking hazard, so it is rated for 3+ rather than the younger ages other toys here cover.
Engagement
How long the toy actually holds a toddler's attention beyond the first few days.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
The alternative
Baby Einstein
Take Along Tunes Musical Toy
A portable musical toy with classical music tracks and light-up buttons for cause-and-effect play.