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11 Best Stacking Toys for Babies: 2024 Picks

Updated
Looking for a good stacking toy for your baby? Check out these top picks.

Stacking toys has many benefits, but the best sets will allow your baby to do more than stack and knock them down. They will stimulate your baby in multiple ways, helping them develop as many skills as possible.

We’ve dedicated ourselves to finding the best stacking toys for babies, so your little one can benefit greatly from this favorite activity.

We’ve purchased many stacking toys over the years and have learned which ones serve more than one purpose — and which ones will keep your baby entertained for more than a few minutes. We’ll review the best features and any drawbacks of the top sets on the market.

Read on to learn how to choose the perfect stacking toy for your child.

Our Top Picks

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Image
Model
Product Comparison Table
Features

Product Image of the Block Party Baby Blocks
Block Play for Younger Babies
Block Party Baby Blocks
  • Easy to grab
  • Interchangeable soft block
  • Lightweight
Product Image of the Fat Brain Toys Spin Again
Cause and Effect Learning
Fat Brain Toys Spin Again
  • BPA-free
  • Gender neutral
  • Chunky discs with unique textures
Product Image of the Lewo Wooden Rainbow
Montessori-Friendly
Lewo Wooden Rainbow
  • Educational
  • Affordable
  • Bright and vibrant hues
Product Image of the Green Toys Stacking Cups
Environmentally Friendly
Green Toys Stacking Cups
  • Six graduated cups
  • Meets FDA food contact standards
  • Dishwasher safe
Product Image of the Nuby Stacking Bath Cups
Best Stacking Bath Toy
Nuby Stacking Bath Cups
  • Non-toxic, BPA-free plastic
  • Interactive and space-saving
  • Uncompromising quality
Product Image of the Fat Brain Toys Spoolz
Most Unique Design
Fat Brain Toys Spoolz
  • Various sizes
  • Set of 7 colorful spools
  • High-quality, BPA-free plastic
Product Image of the Rock-a-Stack
Best Classic Stacking Toy
Rock-a-Stack
  • 5 colorful rings
  • No-tip rocker base
  • Littlest ring has shiny, reflective surface
Product Image of the Tobbles Neo
Great for Little Hands
Tobbles Neo
  • Six unique stackable spheres
  • Sturdy design
  • Dynamic play potential
Product Image of the Manhattan Toys Wooden
Most Visually Pleasing
Manhattan Toys Wooden
  • Wooden rod base
  • Water-based, non-toxic finish
  • Heirloom quality
Product Image of the Rainbow Stacking Rings
Colorful & Eye-Catching
Rainbow Stacking Rings
  • Bright, bold colors and patterns
  • Stimulates baby's tactile senses
  • Soft and easy to grab


The Best Stacking Toys for Babies of 2024

Here are our favorite baby stacking toys to consider.

Block Party Baby Blocks

Block Play for Younger Babies

Blocks don’t just have to be hard cubes. There are squishy and soft options for younger babies like this set. That way, your baby can benefit from their blocks, and you won’t have to worry about them hurting themselves or choking.

This set comes with six soft blocks with five interchangeable inserts, each providing a different sensory experience. These blocks are great for helping introduce the alphabet to your baby with vibrant illustrations and corresponding letters.

The blocks are BPA- and phthalate-free and are entirely safe for babies with curious mouths. This set also includes a recycled, reusable bag for easy storage. This toy is recommended for babies ages 6 months and up.

User Experience

This set of soft blocks is perfect for younger babies looking for a safe and squishy option. I love that each of the six blocks comes with five interchangeable inserts, providing various sensory experiences for my little one. The vibrant illustrations and corresponding letters on these blocks have been incredibly helpful in introducing the alphabet to my baby. The fact that they're BPA- and phthalate-free ensures that these blocks are safe for my curious baby to explore with their mouth. The included recycled, reusable bag makes storage a breeze and keeps everything organized.

Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain Stacking Toy

For Cause and Effect Learning

This unique stacking toy won the 2016 Parent’s Choice Award and is good for babies 12 months and up. It comes with six brightly colored graduated discs for your child to stack. They can watch as each piece cascades down the corkscrew middle.

We like this toy because children don’t have to arrange the pieces from biggest to smallest like other classic stacking toys. It’s perfect for working on hand-eye coordination, cause and effect, and practicing dexterity. This toy is safety-tested and BPA-free.

Personal Perspective

For a child aged 12 months and up, this unique stacking toy offers a refreshing twist on the classic design. In my experience, the six brightly colored discs provided excellent opportunities for my child to develop hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and an understanding of cause and effect, without the need to arrange pieces by size. Additionally, I appreciated that this award-winning toy is safety-tested and BPA-free, ensuring a secure playtime for my little one.

Lewo Wooden Rainbow Stacker

Montessori-Friendly

This toy is great for those dedicated to the Montessori learning method.

The set comes with six pieces to make up a rainbow-inspired design. Your child can structure them in various ways, encouraging creativity and play in their development. They’ll enjoy learning to build and position the pieces, whether into a rainbow or something else entirely!

This toy is suitable for kids of all ages, but we recommend a parent join in, especially since the purple piece is quite small. These blocks are designed to encourage child/parent play so you can find a fun new way to interact with your baby.

Community Feedback

These rainbow stackers have been a hit with my granddaughter and the kids at my preschool. The hardwood construction and glossy, bold colors make them appealing and durable, but I did notice some paint chipping on a few pieces after play. They're great for teaching colors, patterns, and sorting, and their size is perfect for little hands. However, they can be a bit challenging to stack in ways other than as a rainbow due to their smooth surfaces and steep arches.

Green Toys Stacking Cups

Environmentally Friendly

This is the perfect toy to consider if you’re into recycling and reducing your carbon footprint. The brand makes most of its toys out of recycled plastic milk containers. They’re also really nice if you’re rollin’ with a budget.

The set comes with six graduated cups your child can stack or nest. They’re also good for bath time or regular playtime. The bottom of each cup has a number to help with correct nesting and stacking.

These cups are suitable for babies starting at 6 months old and help develop motor skills. They meet the FDA food contact standards and are safe for the dishwasher.

First-Hand Impression

My experience with these stacking cups has been nothing short of delightful for both my children and me. They're incredibly durable, having lasted for years without showing any signs of wear, and they offer a variety of entertaining activities for kids of all ages. From nesting and stacking to playing with them in the bath, my 9-month-old and 5-year-old both adore these cups. The added bonus of their volumetric accuracy makes them an excellent learning tool, and the fact that they're made from recycled plastic is a win for eco-conscious parents like myself.

Nuby’s Splish Splash Stacking Bath Cups

Best Stacking Bath Toy for Babies

This is another good option if you want something for playtime or even bathtime play. These stacking cups provide fun at bathtime with their interactive functionality. It comes with five colorful cups your child can use for stacking and learning about shapes and colors.

This toy is recommended for children ages 9 months and up. Each cup is made of safe BPA-free plastic material.

User Experience

As a parent, I found these bath cups to be an engaging and educational toy for my young child. My 13-month-old loves to stack them, watch water drain through the holes, and even uses them to help rinse her hair during bath time. However, I urge caution and recommend inspecting the edges as another user reported a sharp edge that caused injury to their child.

Fat Brain Toys Spoolz Stacking Toy

Most Unique Design

This set puts another unique spin on the classic stacking toy. Each easy-to-grip piece is shaped like a spool. They can be stacked virtually any way without falling over.

This is nice for those babies just beginning their hand-eye coordination practice. It comes with seven spools in various colors, each varying in size. This one is recommended for babies from 10 months old.

Personal Perspective

Definitely a versatile and engaging toy, this stacker has captured the attention of kids of various ages, including my 1-year-old nephew and my 2-year-old son. The bright colors and varying textures make it both visually appealing and a great sensory experience. Made of a durable, hard plastic with a soft exterior, these stackers are easy for small hands to grip and manipulate. While ideal for stacking, they also inspire creativity in older children who find new ways to play with them daily. A valuable addition to any child's toy collection, these stackers offer endless entertainment and growth opportunities.

Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack Stacking Toy

Best Classic Stacking Toy for Babies

If you’re looking for something simple and classic, consider this. It’s the one stacking ring toy you’ll see in just about every household with young babies. It’s made of plastic and comes with five colorful rings.

Your child will need to stack the rings from biggest to smallest, so it helps teach sequencing. The smallest ring has beads inside and is clear so the baby can see the beads rattle around as it’s shaken. This stacking toy is recommended for babies 6 months old and above.

Community Feedback

I've enjoyed watching my puppy and my son play with these toys for the past month or so. The bright colors and age-appropriate design make them an excellent choice for both children and pets. My son particularly loves the red rattle, while my puppy enjoys chewing on the rings. These toys have proven to be durable and great for teaching fine motor skills, colors, and shapes.

Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo

Great for Little Hands

This toy is the winner of several awards and is a major hit with parents and babies. It comes with six dual-colored spheres you stack on a base. They’re uniquely designed to be stacked in a “wobbly” structure.

The blocks have been safety tested and are made of safe ABS plastic, making them perfect for babies starting at 6 months old. This stacker is recommended for sensory exploration, motor skills, coordination, and visual-spatial awareness. The grippable texture makes it easier for small hands to pick up and manipulate the blocks.

First-Hand Impression

These stacking toys caught the attention of both my one-year-old nephew and my eight-month-old daughter, who both enjoy playing with them. The bright colors and varying weights of the balls add an engaging element, and the slight magnification effect within the balls sparks curiosity. Although they don't stack as easily as I had hoped, they are quite steady and durable, and the magnetic feature helps my daughter feel a sense of accomplishment when stacking them. However, I found it a bit expensive for what you get, and the base stacking requirement can be a tad complicated for younger children.

Manhattan Toy Bam Stack-A-Lacka Wooden Stacking Toy

Most Visually Pleasing

If visually pleasing is what you’re looking for, consider this stacking toy. It’s made completely of wood and is compact enough to fit on a shelf. There are two different options: one that consists of circles and arches or one with a rectangular design.

This toy comes with five stackable pieces and a sturdy rod base. The smooth-grain wood is painted with non-toxic, water-based paint and finish.

It’s good for hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and spatial perception. This stacker is recommended for babies 12 months and above.

User Experience

If you're seeking a stylish and engaging toy for your child, this stacker is a fantastic choice with its vibrant colors, quality wood, and creative design. However, I would advise caution when giving this toy to a teething child or one who tends to put objects in their mouth, as the paint may wear down. The wooden pole can also pose a potential safety hazard, so it's best to supervise your child during playtime. My 2.5-year-old daughter loves playing with this stacker, spending a considerable amount of time creating various patterns and combining it with her wooden rainbow. This stacker not only serves as an attractive nursery decor piece but also provides endless entertainment and open-ended play for toddlers.

Rainbow Stacking Rings

Colorful and Eye-Catching

These soft stacking rings are a nice alternative to classic plastic sets. The set comes with five multi-textured rings that fit around a soft base. The entire toy is made of soft fabric, so it’s easier for babies to grip and will prevent accidental injuries.

The fabric features bright and bold colors, and the rings make a crinkling sound to delight your baby. These rings are recommended for babies 6 months and up.

Personal Perspective

My experience with this Lamaze fabric stacking ring toy has been overwhelmingly positive. The soft, textured rings with varying patterns and crinkly sounds are perfect for my young granddaughter, who enjoys gripping and chewing on them. The pole's foam material and lack of a specific order for stacking the rings make it a safe and frustration-free choice for both parents and babies.

Petit Collage Rabbit Wood Stacking Toy

Cutest Design

If you’re trying to stick to a wooden theme, consider this rabbit stacker. It has a whimsical design that would make a cute addition to your baby’s nursery. It comes with six brightly colored, polished rings and a bunny head with felt ears.

The pieces are made of sustainably-harvested wood and are painted with non-toxic and water-based paint. This is nice because you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals going into your baby’s mouth. This stacker toy is recommended for children ages 12 months and above.

Community Feedback

My experience with this wooden toy has been quite positive, as it is bright, colorful, and well-built. As a grandparent, I appreciate that it teaches my 18-month-old grandchild basic coordination skills, and it is durable enough to withstand rough play. One concern I have is that some of the pieces are smaller than I expected, which could pose a choking hazard for children who like to put things in their mouths. The toy is slightly more challenging than a straightforward ring stacking toy due to its teetering aspect, but this adds a fun element to the play.

How to Choose Stacking Toys

Before buying a stacking toy for your baby, there are a few things to consider.

  • Size of pieces: Stacking toys come in various shapes and sizes. Always pay attention to the product size to avoid any choking hazards.
  • Hard or soft: Softer stacking toys like plush blocks are better for younger babies, while harder plastic or wooden blocks are best for older babies or toddlers.
  • Material: Regardless of the materials, you’ll want to avoid blocks containing BPA or other harmful chemicals babies could get in their mouths.
  • Versatility: Some stacking toys are super versatile and can grow with your baby. This is usually the case with building blocks. Many of our block sets have remained in use for years.

Benefits of Stacking Toys

There are several benefits to stacking toys. Some benefits are obvious, but others are a little less so. To develop properly, babies need stimulation through toys and interaction. One of the most significant benefits of stacking toys is that they encourage hand-eye coordination.

Hand-eye coordination is something babies begin working on at birth. By the time they reach 6 months old, they’ll begin to learn grasping and other skills needed to stack blocks and other toys.

When it comes to block play, children are exposed to STEM concepts without realizing it. During block play, children can use their imaginations to map out what they want to build. This can help with problem-solving skills and language development.

Block play will continue through early elementary school, so why not get your child started early?

FAQs

What are the Milestones For Stacking Objects?

Babies typically start to stack objects around 12 to 18 months as they develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

When Should Babies Start Stacking Toys?

Babies may start showing interest in stacking toys around 12 months, but this can vary. It’s a fun way to encourage motor skills and problem-solving.

What Age are Stacking Cups Good For?

Stacking cups are good for babies and toddlers, typically starting around six months to a year as they begin to grasp objects and enjoy repetitive play.

How Do You Play Stacking Rings With a Baby?

Play with stacking rings by showing your baby how to place rings on the peg, encouraging them to remove and stack them, and talking about colors and sizes for a learning experience.


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Headshot of Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BC

Reviewed by

Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BC

Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BC is a cardiology nurse and freelance medical writer. Katelyn has 8 years of nursing experience inpatient and outpatient, primarily medical-surgical and cardiac. After having two children she has a passion for Women’s Health and Lactation teaching and support.