The Cherrypick Magic Shape Set is a pack of more than 450 soft foam magnetic shapes that kids arrange into pictures, patterns and scenes on a magnetic wall, fridge or board. It is designed to pair with Cherrypick's Magic Playwall but works on any magnetic surface.

What's inside

• 450+ magnetic shapes in soft EVA foam with full magnetic backing, in pastel colors
• Shapes include squares, triangles, arches, semicircles and other geometric pieces about 6 x 6 cm
• A canvas storage bag

How it works

The set arrives as 6 foam sheets, and the shapes need to be popped out before the first use. Kids then stick the shapes to a magnetic surface to build castles, animals, people, vehicles and patterns. The box includes building ideas, but there are no rules.

What kids learn

• Shape recognition and geometry: naming shapes and seeing how they combine into new ones
• Spatial reasoning: much like tangrams, kids work out how pieces fit together to make a picture
• Fine motor skills: placing and moving the pieces precisely
• Creativity and storytelling: building scenes and changing them as the story goes

Good to know before you buy

• Age: safety tested for 3 and up. Pieces are small and contain magnets; if a magnet is swallowed, seek medical help immediately.
• You need a magnetic surface: a fridge, magnetic whiteboard or the Magic Playwall, sold separately.
• Setup: budget a few minutes to pop the shapes out of the foam sheets.
• Durability: the foam is soft, so light dents can happen with heavy use.
• Value: $34.20 at Maisonette (on sale from $38 at the time of writing) for more than 450 pieces.

How it compares

Compared with rigid magnetic tiles, these are flat, soft and quiet, so they are better for pictures and patterns on a wall than for 3D towers.

Who it's for

Preschoolers and early elementary kids, families who already have a Magic Playwall, and anyone looking for a quiet, screen-free activity for the fridge.