Animal Tower Stack & Nest Cubes with Shapes by Hape Eco Toys

If you are looking for a great stacking toy that will “grow” with your child this one is definitely worth checking out. Not only do the wooden cubes stack in to a solid tower but also neatly nest together without any difficulty. The five cubes are easy to handle and have smooth edges that won’t hurt little fingers. What is especially noteworthy about this toy is that not only does it stack/nest, but it is also a simple shape sorter. Each cube has a picture of an animal on it and the shapes correspond to the food that the animal would eat. For example, the tiger has a little bone with some meat on it, the monkey eats bananas, and the rhino eats the grass. The shapes can be matched to the picture of the food on one side of each cube and then the shape easily fits into the slot. Another great feature of the stacking blocks is that on a third side of the cube the pictures show simple parts of the animal (e.g., feet, tail, etc) so the child can guess what part belongs to which animal. It really is a great toy that can be used in many ways by children at different stages of development. It is also important to note that the Hape Eco toy line, which is relatively new as far as I know, is made using FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood and non-toxic water-based paints in packaging made entirely from recycled materials. It’s a great toy from a company that is environmentally responsible. What a wonderful combination! Strengths: Everything – I love the toy and the children I work with enjoy it immensely. Weaknesses: Absolutely nothing that I have found.