Choosing a shape sorter, part 3

In my last post, I told you about 15 different shape sorters. So, which ones are my favourite picks?

Here are the finalists.

Djeco Boita Basic

Janod Geometric Shapes Box

Plantoys Shape and Sort it Out

Djeco Geo Junzo

Janod Shape Sorting Crocodile

Fisher Price Baby's First Blocks

Here are the toys that got disqualified.

I disqualified any shape sorters that...

• Have holes on the sides, not just the top

• Have more than 5 shapes

• Don't include a square, circle, and triangle among their shapes

• Are too difficult for a toddler to open.

That doesn't mean that these toys are bad, just that they're not my picks for the BEST shape sorter.

Okay, so who wins?

France sweeps the podium!

My favourite shape sorters are made by French toy companies Janod and Djeco.

• The gold medal goes to the Janod Geometric Shapes Box. I love how the top panel keeps things simple for younger toddlers but the sides offer up a challenge for older ones. The faces on the shapes, and the mouths on the box, are adorable. I can picture kids saying "om nom nom nom nom" as they gleefully feed the shapes to the shape sorter. It's unfortunately difficult to find in Canada.

• Djeco Boita Basic wins the silver because of its simple construction and whimsical design. It may not be used for as long as the Janod box, since it doesn't have any extra challenge, but it makes up for that by being so good for the littlest mathematicians. It beats out the Plantoys sorter because it's a fraction of the price.

• Djeco Geo Junzo and Janod Crocodile tie for bronze. Both are simple and adorable.

Where to get these awesome toys

Janod Geometric Shapes Box:

Janod website (ships to France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany)

Amazon US

Mulberry Bush (Sussex, UK)

Djeco Boita Basic:

Amazon

Dilly Dally Kids (Vancouver)

Charlotte et Charlie (Quebec City)

The Natural Baby Company (Montana)

Mildred and Dildred (Arizona)

The Creative Toy Shop (Australia)

Tickety-Boo! (Norwich, UK)

Little and Loved (New Zealand)

The Little Toy Shop (Melbourne, Australia)

Scout and Co (UK)

Djeco Geo Junzo:

Dilly Dally Kids (Vancouver)

Charlotte et Charlie (Quebec City)

Friends of K (Australia)

Crafts 4 Kids (UK)

Janod Crocodile

West Coast Kids (stores across Canada)

Janod.com (ships in several countries in Europe)

Hello Baby (UK)