Maze Game for Kids - Sensory Toys for Toddlers Packed Full of Developmental Benefits

The main difference is what it is made from and what it does. This one has a solid wooden frame with sturdy beads, not just moving parts on wire, and it doubles as an abacus so your child can also start learning to count. The tracks are robust and soft in colour rather than bright printed plastic. It is made by Jaques of London, who have made games since 1795.

This activity maze is suggested from 12 months up to around 7 years, so it covers early toddler exploring right through to early counting practice. Younger children get sensory play from the beads and shapes, while older toddlers can use it as an abacus for basic numeracy. Because the frame is solid wood and the beads are sturdy, it holds up as your child grows into different stages of play with it.

Yes, this maze is listed from 12 months. At that age babies are mainly exploring, so they will enjoy moving the sturdy beads along the tracks, watching the movement, and hearing the sound they make. The creatures decorating the beads help with early recognition of colour and shape. As they get older, the same toy stretches into counting practice, so it is not something they outgrow after a few months.

Yes, this design is built around three senses: touch, sound and sight. Children feel the beads moving along the track, follow the movement with their eyes, and hear the sound as the beads travel. Jaques note that sensory toys like this benefit all children, and are particularly helpful for children with Autism, ADHD, or other special educational needs, since the repetitive tactile movement can be calming and engaging.

Yes, this maze doubles as an abacus, so beyond the sensory play it has a real teaching function. Children can move beads along the tracks to practise basic counting and numeracy alongside recognising colours, shapes, and the various creatures decorating the frame. It also works the hands and eyes together, since children have to track the beads visually while manipulating them, which supports fine motor skill development at the same time.

The maze measures 22cm x 15cm x 21.5cm, so it sits comfortably on a low table or the floor without needing much space. It is built with a solid wooden frame, which keeps it stable while a toddler pushes and pulls the beads around the tracks, rather than sliding around on a slippery surface the way a lighter plastic version might.

No. This is a manual wooden activity toy with no electronic parts, so there are no batteries to buy or replace and nothing to charge. Children move the sturdy beads along the tracks by hand, which is what drives the sensory and motor skill benefits, the touch, sound and sight of the beads moving, rather than any screen or automated feature.

It works for both. Jaques describe it as suited to independent play, where a child can sit and move beads at their own pace, and to collaborative play, where more than one child can take turns or play side by side. This flexibility, combined with the wide suggested age range from 12 months to around 7 years, makes it useful for siblings of different ages playing together.