How to Play with Wooden Arnott's Shapes
By Australian Melbourne wooden Toys & Gifts | Published: 2026-10-22
Category: How-to Guides
Discover fun, educational ways to play with the wooden Arnott's Shapes toy. This guide offers step-by-step activities that boost imagination and learning.
Quick answer
Use the wooden Arnott's Shapes toy for open-ended pretend play, sorting games, and snack-time role-play that teaches Australian food culture and fine motor skills.
Why wooden play food works better
Unlike plastic toys, wooden play food feels substantial and realistic. The Arnott's Shapes set includes familiar flavors like Pizza, Barbecue, and Chicken Crimpy, which encourages children to connect play with real-life snack memories. The sturdy wood construction also means the pieces survive enthusiastic sorting, stacking, and carrying.
A note on age and supervision
These wooden pieces are suitable for children aged 3 and up. As with any small play food item, supervise younger children to prevent mouthing or chewing. The paint is non-toxic, but the pieces are not designed for teething.
Step-by-step play ideas
- Snack-time role-play: Set up a pretend picnic or lunchbox. Have your child 'pack' the Shapes into a basket or bag, then serve them to stuffed animals or family members. Use phrases like 'Would you like Barbecue or Pizza?' to build vocabulary and social skills. Common mistake: Forcing a specific script. Let the child lead the conversation.
- Sorting and matching game: Ask your child to sort the Shapes by flavor or color. For older children, create a simple pattern (e.g., Pizza, Barbecue, Pizza) and have them continue it. This strengthens pattern recognition and categorization. Checkpoint: If your child struggles, reduce to two flavors first.
- Storytelling with Shapes: Invent a story where the Shapes are characters. For example, 'Chicken Crimpy went to the park and met Pizza.' Encourage your child to act out the story using the pieces. This boosts narrative skills and creativity. Common mistake: Overcomplicating the plot. Keep it simple and follow your child's ideas.
Product details
- WOODEN TOY - ICONIC AUSTRALIAN ARNOTT'S SHAPES: Most Australians have Arnott’s Shapes in their cupboard as a snack. Shapes were at every kid's party and in school lunchboxes. The set includes iconic flavors like Pizza, Barbecue, and Chicken Crimpy. This familiarity makes the toy a natural conversation starter about Australian food culture and family snack traditions.
WOODEN TOY - ICONIC AUSTRALIAN ARNOTT'S SHAPES
