Lacing Sheep vs Shape & Sort It Out Bin: Which Skill Toy?
By PlanToys USA: Sustainable Wooden Toys for Child | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: Comparisons
Compare PlanToys Lacing Sheep and Shape & Sort It Out Bin to find the right fine motor skill toy for your toddler's age and play style.
Quick answer
Choose the Lacing Sheep for focused fine motor and sequencing practice, or the Shape & Sort It Out Bin for broader shape and color recognition with storage convenience.
What each toy does best
The Lacing Sheep is a dedicated fine motor skills toy. It asks a child to thread laces through holes in sequence, which builds hand-eye coordination and logical thinking. The Shape & Sort It Out Bin, on the other hand, is a classic toddler sorting toy that focuses on recognizing colors and shapes while also developing hand-eye coordination. Its bentwood bin doubles as storage, so it fits neatly into a playroom.
Both toys are made from sustainable materials, but they challenge different skills. Lacing requires more precision and patience, while sorting is more about visual matching and trial-and-error.
Trade-offs to weigh
- Skill focus: Lacing Sheep zeroes in on fine motor precision and sequencing. Shape & Sort It Out Bin covers color and shape recognition with broader hand-eye coordination.
- Play value: Lacing Sheep can become a timed game, adding a challenge for older toddlers. Shape & Sort It Out Bin offers open-ended storage and retrieval play with the removable lid. Think about whether your child enjoys repetitive practice or varied exploration.
- Mess and storage: Shape & Sort It Out Bin keeps all pieces inside its bentwood bin, while Lacing Sheep has separate laces that could get lost if not stored together. If tidy storage is a priority, the bin is the easier choice.
Toy details
- Shape & Sort It Out Bin: The Shape & Sort It Out Bin encourages recognition of colors and shapes as well as the development of hand-eye coordination, and features a bent wood design with smooth corners. It's a safe, classic sorting activity that also provides tidy storage for the pieces when playtime is over.

Shape & Sort It Out Bin - Lacing Sheep: The Lacing Sheep helps children learn basic colors and sequences by lacing corresponding colors together, improving fine motor skills while developing problem-solving and logical thinking. It turns lacing into a color-matching puzzle, making it a more focused fine motor challenge than simple sorting.

Lacing Sheep
Which toy fits your child?
Best for
- Toddlers who need focused fine motor practice and enjoy puzzle-like challenges
- Parents who want a single toy that combines color learning with easy storage
Not for
- Very young toddlers who may find lacing frustrating; a shape sorter is more forgiving
- Children who prefer active, large-movement play; neither toy offers much physical activity

