Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube

The classic. We bought ours secondhand from Sam’s older sister and it had already survived two kids. The shapes are big enough not to choke on, the cube is solid hardwood (not MDF), and the holes are forgiving enough that a 12-month-old won’t rage-quit on the triangle. M&D’s QC has wobbled in recent years — check the corners for sharp edges when it arrives, and you’ll usually be fine.