13 Best Stacking Toys To Enhance Gross Motor Skills In 2023

Allow your child to explore and learn new things with our list of 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 options available, your child can remain engaged for long and stay away from screens. So, explore our list to find a toy that suits your child’s interests.

No products Found

In This Article

 13 Best Stacking Toys

1. Best For Gifting:The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys 

Price at the time of publication: $4.99

The set of colorful toys helps improve your baby’s cognitive skills and develops color recognition and counting 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.

Material: ‎Plastic | Color: ‎Multi | Product Dimensions: ‎3.5 x 3.25 x 2.5 inches | Item Weight: ‎4.8 ounces

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

2. Best For Six Month And Above:Sassy Stacks of Circles 

4.7
Sassy Stacks Of Circles Stacking Ring Toy Image: Sassy
Why It's Worth Buying: The 43,685 positive reviews on Amazon are proof that this product meets customers' expectations.
Price at the time of publication: $8.98

Ideal for babies aged six months and above, this classic stacking toy set is designed creatively. It contains nine pieces in different colors and textures. The toy set makes learning and playing simple and fun for children. Learn more about this Montessori toy by watching this video.

Item Weight: 10.9 ounces | Product Dimensions: 4.25 x 4.25 x 8 inches

Pros

  • Easy to grasp and hold
  • Can be used for teething
  • Made with quality materials
  • Improves eye-hand coordination
  • Develops fine motor skills

Cons

  • May not be easy to clean
  • Suction cup may not be functional

protip_icon Quick tip
Counting the rings and identifying the color of stacking rings are fun ways to use this toy for engaging older babies and toddlers.

3. Best BPA-Free:Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain Stacking Toy

4.8
Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain Kids Stacking Toy Image: Fat Brain Toys
Why It's Worth Buying: The whopping 5,728 positive reviews on Amazon reflect the superior quality of this product.
Price at the time of publication: $29.95

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 stacking toy.

Product Dimensions: 16.5 x 6.75 x 6.75 inches | Weight: 1.39 Pounds

Pros

  • Creatively designed discs
  • Easy to grasp and hold
  • Ideal for children aged one to four
  • 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 

4.4
Price at the time of publication: $11.99

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. The blocks not only have alphabets but also have animal figures on them.

Item Weight: 1.15 pounds | Product Dimensions: 5.75 x 5.75 x 5.75 inches

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

5. Best With Different Shapes:Nuby 5-Piece Bath Time Stacking Cups 

4.7
Price at the time of publication: $8.99

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.

Color: Multi/None | Material: Plastic | Item Weight: ‎4.2 ounces | | Product Dimensions: ‎7.75"W x 5.88"H | Shape: ‎Round

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

6. Best High-Quality Materials:Battat Sort & Stack Educational Stacking Cups

Why It's Worth Buying: Do not miss out on this product that has earned 4,318 positive reviews on Amazon.
Price at the time of publication: $9.99

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.

Item Weight: 1.25 pounds | Product Dimensions: 5.75 x 5.75 x 6 inches

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

7. Best Eco-Friendly:Toys Stacking Rings 

Price at the time of publication: $5.51

This 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.

Item Weight: 10.6 ounces | Product Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 9 inches

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

Cons

  • May not be easy to wash
protip_icon Do remember
Regularly inspect stacking toys manufactured using soft materials, as any covering or foam that has come loose can be a choking hazard (2).

8. Best Durable:Gleeporte Stacking Peg Board Toy Set

Price at the time of publication: $14.99

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.

Item Weight: 15.9 ounces | Product Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 3 inches

Pros

  • Innovative stacking set
  • Large pieces to hold easily
  • Promotes learning with fun
  • Durable pieces and objects

Cons

  • Could be expensive for some

9. Best PVC-Free:Green Toys My First Stacker

Price at the time of publication: $14.99

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 set is ideal for children six months and older.

Item Weight: 12.3 ounces | Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 7.38 inches

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

10. Best With Ten Blocks:Melissa & Doug Disney Nesting & Stacking Blocks 

4.4
Price at the time of publication: $14.99

The set of stacking blocks has the print of Disney’s Mickey Mouse along with numbers that help children learn to count. The blocks are made of firm cardboard material and can easily nest or stack on one another. Playing with this promotes sorting and organizing skills and develops fine motor skills.

Item Weight: 1.5 pounds | Product Dimensions: 5.75 x 5.75 x 5.75 inches

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

Cons

  • May not be lasting for long

11. Best Non-Toxic: GEMEM Stacking Rings

Price at the time of publication: $10.99

The wooden stacking 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.

Item Weight: 15.5 ounces | Product Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.7 x 8.5 inches

Pros

  • Smooth stacking 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

12. Best Innovative Design: WOOD CITY Wooden Sorting & Stacking Toy

4.7
Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog Image: Wood City
Price at the time of publication: $15.99

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 shapes and colors and promotes cognitive development. Playing with this stacking toy is safe and fun too.

Item Weight: 8.8 ounces | Product Dimensions: 2 x 1 x 13 inches

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 

Price at the time of publication: $16.99

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 building toy is made of hard and thick plastic materials, which are durable and safe.

Batteries: 2 AA batteries required | Item Weight: 1.48 pounds | Product Dimensions: 28 x 6.8 x 6.8 inches

Pros

  • Includes 18 pieces
  • Made of ABS plastic
  • Comes in a storage container
  • Can stack up 73cm high
  • Improves hand-eye coordination

Cons

  • May differ from what is shown in image

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 alphabet on them. These early learning toys help stimulate children’s senses.
  • 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 learning.
  • Playing with stacking toys could also encourage children to imagine and use their creative thinking ability, thereby improving their cognitive skills.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Design: Pick up stacking toys that are bright, colorful, and creative. Toys that are appealing can encourage children to play and explore.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Priti Bose is an experienced product writer who specializes in reviewing 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.

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 enhancing your child’s 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).

The best stacking toys are an essential part of 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 their playtime.

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.

Points

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Important Milestones: Your Baby By Fifteen Months
    https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-15mo.html
  2. 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

Recommended Articles:

Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
The following two tabs change content below.