While searching for birthday presents for my youngest son in Tesco I came across this activity cube it was priced at just £4.99 and as all the other activity cubes I had looked at were £20 plus I decided I would purchase it. Ours is very similar to the one pictured above although it does not have the bead maze on top.

**The cube**
The cube itself is made from wood rather than plastic which I really like as it stands out from the sea of plastic toys we already have in the house and I prefer the wooden toys we own.

The clock - On this side of the cube is a simple clock face with movable arms so you can help little one learn about the time. Although this is not aimed at the lower end of the age recommendation my son loved twirling the arms around the clock. What I really like about this clock face is on every second number there is an animal next to the number. This allows me to use this as guidance for my children and I can direct them using the animals as well as the numbers until they become confident.

Shape sorter - With this side of the cube it is a simple shape sorter as you receive 5 shapes inside the box for little one to filter through the correct holes in this side of the cube. After they have fallen inside the box if you turn it upside down you are greeted with a removable panel to retrieve the shapes and start all over again. It is great simple fun for little one that my children like to play over and over again.

Magnetic side - When you receive the cube there are around seven to eight magnetic shapes hidden inside the box and these can be used to make up a picture of shapes on the magnetic side of the cube. Little one can reform the shapes in any way they wish as they learn each shape and how they can all be fitted together.

Animal game - This a noughts and crosses style game for children to play made up of hippos and lions instead which my children find great fun. My youngest son just tends to flip the animals round until they are all matching but he still loves playing with this side.

Shape game - on this side of the cube is a cut out puzzle game for the children and there are 5 different shaped pieces of wood for little one to move along the put maze for them. My children like this they aim to put all the pieces in the same place and although it is simple it helps with their motor skills and while I play with them I can introduce them to the different shapes. Each shape is a different colour so it also helps them recognise colours as we play.

**In play**
My children all love this activity cube it is bright and colourful and very well made there are no sharp edges that little one can hurt themselves and it is well made and durable. The bright colours hold little ones attention while the range of activities keeps them occupied rather than getting bored within five minutes. The top of the cube is easy to open to store all the pieces inside meaning they do not get lost and little one can do this independently.

All my children play in different ways with this toy as some of the activities are basic that can entertain a younger child they also grow with little one and they can be used to play games and learn about the time so it can cover a good age range. It is recommended from one year up which I think is correct as the small pieces could be dangerous for a younger child but my son who is five next week still likes using this cube to play the animal game and using the clock face to learn about the time.

My only negative would be the magnetic shapes do not always sit well on the magnetic side provided and can fall off very easily which is frustrating for children when they are trying to complete a masterpiece so the magnet on the shapes could have been a little stronger.

**Summary**
We love this cube we have had it for around 13 months and each one of my children like to use it. It is durable and long lasting and has enough activities to keep little one occupied. Although it is a lot smaller than other activity cubes we have came across it has a much smaller price tag of just £5 which I think is fantastic for the amount of play we have received from this toy. It is a Tesco range toy and therefore only available at Tesco but I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an activity cube for their child.