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.
The verdict
Melissa & Doug's wooden Shape Sorting Clock, about £20, teaches shapes, colours, numbers and early time-telling with 12 removable pieces, rated 3+. Best for parents wanting a screen-free, durable wooden toy that can be handed down, with a toddler old enough to handle small pieces safely. Skip it for younger toddlers — the loose pieces are a choking hazard under 3.
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.
Is the Shape Sorting Clock worth it?
- 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
What are the downsides of the Shape Sorting Clock?
- 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.
How it compares
|  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | About £20 | Around £26.99 | About £15 | Around £12 |
| Overall score | 7.5/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 6.9/10 |
| Material | Wood | — | — | Soft fabric, machine washable |
| Age range | 3+ years | 6 months - 3 years | 6-36 months | 0-3 years (clip-on use continues into toddlerhood) |
| Batteries | None required | — | 3 x AAA (included for demo) | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does this toy teach?+
It teaches shape and colour recognition alongside early time-telling concepts, directly teaching skills that go further educationally than the purely sensory toys in this category.
Is it safe for younger children?+
No — the 12 loose shaped pieces are a choking hazard for children under 3 and need to be kept away from younger siblings, which is why it's rated 3+ rather than for the younger ages other toys in this category cover.
Does it need batteries or a screen?+
No — it's entirely screen- and battery-free, asking for active problem-solving rather than passive sensory or electronic play.
How does it compare to the VTech laptop?+
Against the VTech 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, and it relies more on adult involvement early on than an electronic toy that can hold a toddler's attention independently.