Image: MomJunction Design Team
Allow your child to explore and learn new things with the best stacking toys. These toys enhance your child’s natural developmental process and promote cognitive and gross motor skills development. Your child learns to organize and sort different objects, improving their hand-eye coordination, cognitive abilities and memory. These toys also help them develop problem-solving skills and identify colors and shapes through playtime.
With various best-selling, tried-and-tested options, your child can remain engaged for long and avoid screens. So, explore our list to find a toy that suits your child’s interests.
Top Picks
13 Best Stacking Toys To Enhance Motor Skills In 2024
1. Best For Gifting:The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys
The set of colorful toys helps improve your baby’s cognitive skills and develops counting and color recognition skills. You may either buy one pack of simple stacking toys or a value pack of two sets. It could be an ideal gift choice too. If you want to know more about this product, here’s a video worth watching.
Pros
- Eight colorful cups
- Free from phthalates, lead, and BPA
- Holes at the bottom for water play
- Numbers at the bottom to promote counting
- Curved edges to avoid injury
Cons
- Small in size
"Although simple, they provide ample entertainment to my baby and have been perfect for teaching her the numbers and colors. I also like to hide small treats in them to encourage her to play with them. Plus, the drainage holes double it as efficient bath toys."
2. Best For Six Month And Above:Sassy Stacks of Circles
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 43,685 buyers on Amazon have said the product lives up to the hype.
Ideal for babies aged six months and above, this classic stacking toy set by the trusted brand Sassy is designed creatively. It contains nine pieces in different colors and a variety of textures to provide sensory experience. The colorful stacking toy set makes learning and playing a simple and fun experience for children. Learn more about this Montessori toy by watching this video.
Pros
- Easy to grasp and hold
- Can be used for teething
- Made with quality and safe materials
- Improves eye-hand coordination
- Develops fine motor skills
Cons
- May not be easy to clean
- Suction cup may not be functional
Quick tip3. Best BPA-Free:Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain Stacking Toy
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is a hit with users, evidenced by the 5,728 fine reviews on Amazon.
The stacking rings toy set is attractive and visually appealing. The stacking objects are designed in star and flower shapes and are made of coated ABS plastic that is BPA-free and tested safe. The stack and sort toy set includes a corkscrew pole to stack up the discs by spinning. This short video provides you with added insights about the award-winning stacking toy.
Pros
- Creatively designed discs
- Easy to grasp and hold
- Ideal for children aged one to four years
- Dual-colored stacking objects
- Develops sorting and hand-eye coordination
Cons
- Pieces may not come off smoothly
- Could be expensive for some
4. Best Colorful Design:Melissa & Doug Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks
Your child can learn the alphabet and sorting blocks and colors with this stacking and nesting toy set. It is a developmental toy suitable for children aged two to four years. The blocks not only have alphabets but also have animal figures on them.
Pros
- Contains ten blocks
- Made of premium-quality cardboard
- Different sizes of blocks
- Creative and colorful design
- Develops hand-eye coordination and motor skills
Cons
- May not last long
"Offering endless play opportunities, these stacking blocks have engaged my kids thoroughly. Though they're not the sturdiest, they've survived active play well so far. The images engage kids, and I haven't noticed any peeling yet, but I'm yet to see how it holds up to long term use."
5.Best With Different Shapes:Nuby 5-Piece Bath Time Stacking Cups
The simple stacking toy set has five colorful cups to stack, scoop, and have fun while bathing. Your child can enjoy playing with the cups and also learn to identify colors and organize cups. All the objects have different designs and shapes on them, which helps develop the child’s shape recognition skills.
Pros
- Made with BPA-free materials
- Holes at the bottom for fun play in the water
- Designed for babies aged nine months and above
- Encourages imagination and develops cognitive skills
Cons
- The paint on the cups may chip off
"In addition to easing bathtime, these stacking toys have enhanced my child’s motor skills. The holes on the bottom also entertain him with their gentle rain shower effect and help keep mold at bay. Overall, it's a joy to see my little one captivated by the colorful patterns of these cups."
6. Best High-Quality Materials:Battat Sort & Stack Educational Stacking Cups
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 4,318 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
Battat classic stacking toy set contains 19 bright pieces for your child to have an exciting time when playing. The stacking objects have numerical values on them to teach counting. The educational toy is made of high-quality material and is safe for children to play with.
Pros
- Contains different numbers
- Attractive and colorful objects
- Promotes learning of shapes and colors
- Can play in sand and water
- Could be a good choice of gift
Cons
- Shapes are too tiny
- Stickers come off easily
"Enchanted by these stacking toys' bright colors, my toddlers can spend hours taking them apart and piecing them together. Although the included stickers are tricky to paste, my child does not seem bothered by that issue. Moreover, the bucket-style storage box is very thoughtful."
7. Best Eco-Friendly:Toys Stacking Rings
This colorful stacking toy set for babies comes with unique-shaped objects for organizing and stacking. The objects are soft and safe, even if the toddler puts them in the mouth. They are made of eco-friendly materials and designed creatively.
Pros
- Can be used as a baby teether
- Lightweight and durable
- Available in different shapes and textures
- Develops fine motor skills
- Easy for babies to grasp
- Supports frustration-free play
Cons
- May not be easy to wash
Do remember8. Best Durable:Gleeporte Stacking Peg Board Toy Set
The set contains six stacking cups, a colorful pegboard, and a storage bag. It is creatively designed to teach your children different skills, such as learning to count, coordination, colors, and patterns. Playing with the set also develops motor and cognitive skills.
Pros
- Innovative stacking set
- Large pieces to hold easily
- Combines fun and learning
- Durable pieces and objects
Cons
- Could be expensive for some
9. Best PVC-Free:Green Toys My First Stacker
The stacking cups come in four different colors and nest easily inside one another. These objects are safe for toddlers to play or keep in mouth. They are made with eco-friendly materials that are free from phthalates, PVC, and BPA. The time-tested set is ideal for children aged six months and older.
Pros
- Includes eight pieces
- Rounded edges for safety
- Doesn’t have any coatings
- Made with 100% recyclable materials
- Easy to play and clean
Cons
- May not be easy to grasp
- Not too attractive or bright
"The post-free design is what pushed me to get this stacking toy. It has also proven durable and easy to clean. Although my daughter took some time to get used to its slippery texture, she now enjoys playing with it for hours."
10. Best With Ten Blocks:Melissa & Doug Disney Nesting & Stacking Blocks
The set of stacking blocks by the trusted brand Melissa & Doug has the print of Disney’s Mickey Mouse along with numbers that help children learn to count. The building blocks are made of firm cardboard and can easily nest or stack on one another. Playing with this promotes sorting and organizing skills and develops fine motor skills.
Pros
- Contains ten blocks
- Attractive designs printed
- Can stack up to 3ft tall
- Comes well-packed in a reusable box
- Promotes learning and fun together
- Supports letter recognition and language development
Cons
- May not be lasting for long
"These colorful stacking blocks captivated my little one instantly. While their hollow design makes them lightweight, they must be handled carefully to prevent dents. Still, their ability to enhance my child’s imagination and coordination has made them a worthwhile buy."
11. Best Non-Toxic: GeMem Stacking Rings
The wooden stacking rings toys are ideal for toddlers and preschoolers and help in learning numbers and colors. They are made of premium wood and are painted in vibrant rainbow colors. These preschool toys are non-toxic and safe for children.
Pros
- Smooth stacking wooden rings
- Made of durable wood
- Curved edges ensure safe play
- Comes with a solid wooden base
- Improves the child’s creativity and thinking capacity
Cons
- The paint may come off
- Could be small in size
"This stacking toy has helped improve everything from my son’s color recognition skills to hand-eye coordination. Its colors also look bright, and the different-sized rings have made playtime fun and educational."
12. Best Innovative Design: Wood City Wooden Sorting & Stacking Toy
The two-in-one wooden stacking toys set can be used for entertainment and education. It not only helps children to stack but also teaches them geometric shapes and colors and promotes cognitive development. Playing with this stacking toy is safe and fun too.
Pros
- Made of natural wood
- Has smooth edges for safety concerns
- Non-toxic and eco-friendly
- Innovative design
- High-quality and durable
Cons
- Could be small in size
13. Best With Storage Container:Happkid Stacking Cups with Castle Stacker
Your child can now build a castle inside the house using these colorful stacking cups. The cups also promote recognizing shapes and colors and strengthening imaginative skills. This quality-tested building toy is made of hard and thick plastic materials, which are durable and safe.
Pros
- Includes 18 pieces
- Made of ABS plastic
- Comes in a storage container
- Can stack up 73cm high
- Improves hand-eye coordination
- Promotes frustration-free play
Cons
- May differ from what is shown in image
"The highlight of this tower-style stacking cup toy is that its base doubles as a storage box. Besides, it also comes in handy to facilitate hours of group and solar play. And although they are made of plastic, they have withstood rough play well."
Benefits Of Stacking Toys
Here are some benefits that children can gain by playing with stacking toys.
- Stacking rings or blocks in patterns or shapes improves the child’s hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and motor skills.
- Stacking toys come in different shapes, colors, patterns, and designs. Some of them even have numbers and the letters of the alphabet on them. These toys help you create learning opportunities for your child.
- Some stacking toy sets are designed creatively to let the child sort and sift through the objects. This promotes thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Stacking things daily, missing out on the right ones, and doing it all again helps in cause-and-effect.
- Playing with stacking toys could also encourage children to imagine and use their creative thinking ability, thereby improving their cognitive skills and encouraging open-ended play.
How To Choose The Right Stacking Toys?
There are several varieties of stacking toys available, and selecting one could be confusing. But these tips could make your task easier.
- Type: You can choose any from classic wooden blocks to nesting cups or stacking shapes to rings for your children. If your child is a toddler, then lightweight rings or soft blocks would be an ideal choice. And for preschoolers and younger children, stacking objects of different shapes and sizes would be the right option.
- Material: Plastic and wood are some of the common materials used to make stacking toys. They are soft, durable, and lightweight for children to play with.
- Quality: You need to pick up the best-quality stacking toy that is non-toxic and safe for your children. Toddlers and preschoolers tend to keep toys in their mouths when playing. Hence quality aspects should not be compromised.
- Design: Pick up stacking toys that are bright and colorful and feature different textures to offer them a variety of sensory experiences. Toys that are appealing can encourage children to play and explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. At what age can babies stack cups?
Your baby starts stacking a couple of objects at 15 months(1). Encourage them to stack two blocks or cups and increase the count.
2. Are stacking toys suitable for babies?
Besides supporting your child’s brain development, stacking toys help your little one identify different shapes and patterns.
3. How long should my baby play with stacking toys?
Your baby may play with stacking toys from 15 months to three years to enhance their skills.
4. Does stacking toys help in child development?
Yes, stacking comes under cognitive development. It helps your little one think logically, develop fine motor skills, and enhance problem-solving skills(1).
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is an experienced product writer and reviewer who specializes in children’s toys and games. She has compiled this list of the best stacking toys after comparing several products and reading the reviews online. The stacking toys on this list are designed to improve your children’s motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and memory. Moreover, they are great tools to let little children identify shapes and colors.
The Bottom Line
The best stacking toys are an essential to playtime and are great options for developing children’s motor skills. The stacking toys you buy for your toddlers should be lightweight and easy to grab and stack. Children are always drawn to colors, so toys with bright colors and beautiful patterns will encourage them to play for a longer period. And when you invest in a stacking toy that meets all the safety standards, you can ensure your child’s safety and well-being during playtime. Our top choices are The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys for color recognition and counting, the Sassy Stacks of Circles for the various textures, and the Melissa & Doug Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks for its creative and colorful design.
Infographic: Things To Consider When Playing With Stacking Toys
Stacking toys are colorful educational toys that can enhance your little ones’ fine and gross motor skills. These toys come in multiple shapes, sizes, and colors and are a great way to get screen-free playtime. Follow the infographic to learn some ways to enhance playtime involving stacking toys.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Important Milestones: Your Baby By Fifteen Months
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-15mo.html - One Step Ahead Recalls Children’s Stacking Toys Due to Choking and Aspiration Hazard
https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2010/One-Step-Ahead-Recalls-Childrens-Stacking-Toys-Due-to-Choking-and-Aspiration-Hazard
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