Stapelstein: The Best Non-Toxic + Open-Ended Kids Toy

Disclosure: Stapelstein generously sent us their Complete Set in Pastel + Play Cards so we could experience them in our home. I only feature products I truly love and trust—those made from safe, non-toxic, and eco-friendly materials that align with my family’s values. As always, I share only my honest thoughts and experiences, from my home to yours.

When I first became a mom, I remember standing in the toy aisle, completely overwhelmed. Bright lights. Loud buttons. So much plastic. And I just kept thinking—what are all these plastic toys even made from? And if I was overstimulated, how would my child feel?

That’s when I started researching non-toxic toys, and let me tell you—it was a very deep rabbit hole. There are so many toy brands claiming to be “safe” or “eco-friendly,” but very few truly live up to it. Then I found Stapelstein, and honestly—it felt like a breath of fresh air.

Not only are their products made from safe, eco-friendly materials, but they’re also designed for open-ended play—the kind of play that sparks imagination, movement, and pure joy.

And from the moment we opened our Stapelstein set, I knew this toy was something special.

Our First Day with Stapelstein

The day we unboxed our Stapelstein Complete Set, my daughter played with it for hours. I’m not exaggerating—she literally played with this set all day long. I’ve never seen her so engaged or imaginative. Stapelstein really knows how to ignite a child's imagination, which I love SO much. That's the beauty of open-ended toys—and this set is the best example of open-ended play that I have ever seen from a toy! 

There are so many different ways to play with these stones and board. My daughter is 3 and she came up with game after game without any help from my husband or I. She wore the stones as hats and opened her own “hat store.” Then she stacked them into towers, balanced on the wobble board, and set up obstacle courses for us to run through (my husband and I may or may not have joined in). 

Later, she decided the stones were “soup pots” and whipped up elaborate dishes in her play kitchen—another super cool feature is that they can be played with inside or outside, so she could even use them to make mud soup outside! They are also stain resistant and super easy to wash off with some soap and water.

She even played “the floor is lava” (for a full 45 minutes...if you have toddlers you know this is an impressive number haha!) and used them as "safe" stepping stones across the living room.

That’s the magic of Stapelstein—it meets your child right where they are, turning simple stones into endless worlds of imaginative play.

Another thing I love is the little play cards that you can order with your set. It’s this adorable, sustainable cardboard binder that says move, play, create on the front, and inside are dozens of play ideas—from movement games to balance challenges. My daughter flipped through it herself and immediately pointed to a balancing tower on the first page. We built it together, and she was so proud when we got it to stand. That small, connected moment makes this toy even more special—when they say this set is for ages 1-99 they really mean it! It can hold up to 396 pounds (for the stones) and 264 pounds (for the board), so my husband and I are able to join in on the fun too (my husband balancing on the board made my daughter giggle)!

The Stapelstein Mission

Stapelstein’s mission is to create high quality, safe toys that are made from sustainable materials and inspire movement, creativity, and joy—while caring for the planet too.

They share on their site that “Happy kids come from active playtime,” and I couldn’t agree more. It’s shocking to learn that about 80% of young children worldwide don’t get enough physical activity. Stapelstein is on a mission to change that, and they’re doing it in the most thoughtful, intentional way. And let me tell you, their Complete Set ABSOLUTELY encourages active play—my daughter was jumping on them for an hour straight yesterday!

They’re also a values-driven, German company, meaning all profits are reinvested in new product development or donated to children’s research initiatives. That kind of integrity is rare—and as a mom, I deeply appreciate it. 

And when it comes to materials? They’ve set the gold standard.

• Made from eco-friendly, resource-saving EPP

• Free from toxins, pollutants, and harmful chemicals (I do everything I can to minimize chemical exposure for my children and am very intentional about toys that I bring into our home—they have to be made from safe materials that I trust!)

• 100% recyclable, odorless, durable, and non-porous

• Third-party tested in the EU for toy safety and quality

• Produced in an energy-efficient facility in Germany

These are high quality (and super fun) toys that are built to last a long time. Unlike cheap plastic toys that crack after one season and end up in a landfill, Stapelstein pieces grow with your child—and still look brand new after backyard play with a quick wash with soap and water. 

Why Open-Ended Play Matters

So many children’s toys today tell kids exactly what to do: push this button, pull that lever, watch it light up. But open-ended play flips that script. It invites kids to lead, explore, and imagine.

With open-ended play, kids are the storytellers, inventors, and problem-solvers. It supports:

• Imagination + creativity – dreaming up their own stories and worlds

• Cognitive development – practicing problem-solving and flexible thinking

• Fine motor skills – stacking, carrying, balancing, and building

• Sensory exploration – engaging touch, movement, and curiosity

For more information, check out what STEMful has to say in their article: What Is Open-Ended Play, and Why Do Children Need It?

This type of play is also at the heart of the Montessori approach, where freedom, movement, and hands-on learning guide a child’s growth. Stapelstein fits beautifully into that philosophy—and has quickly become my daughter’s favorite toy. The only thing I wish is that we had gotten our set sooner, because it has truly been such a game changer! 

Check out Stapelstein’s Play Ideas for more open-ended inspiration.

Why Stapelstein Belongs in Every Playroom

Beyond being beautiful (the Pastel color way is my absolute favorite!), Stapelstein is truly built for the whole family. The pieces are lightweight for toddlers yet strong enough for adults (yes, my husband and I actually play on them too!).

Here are just a few ways we use them in our home:

• Obstacle courses — for balancing, jumping, and “the floor is lava” adventures.

• Dynamic sitting — strengthening core muscles while wiggling and rocking. My 3-year-old daughter uses 2 stones and the board to sit, and I use 4-stones and the board (you can adjust with more or less stones for your height!)

• Sensory play — stacking, rolling, spinning, and even outdoor “mud soup.” (The fact that these can be played both indoor and outdoor adds so much versatility)

• Imaginative play — castles, mountains, shops, rivers… you name it. The possibilities are endless. 

• Learning play — sorting, color matching, counting, follow the leader and pretend markets, just to name a few ideas my daughter has come up with! 

The best part? There’s no one right way to play. These pieces adapt as your child grows—and they’re just as fun for a 2-year-old as they are for older kids (or 30-year-old parents!). They are a great way to get the whole family up and laughing together. 

The Perfect Open-Ended Toy Does Exist

We have the Stapelstein Complete Set in Pastel, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. My daughter's play room is what would be the formal dining area connected to our living room, so her playthings are really out in the open. And I love having this set on display for her. It looks just as cute as it is amazing for her creative, active play. 

What’s included:

• 1 Balance Board

• 7 Original Elements

One day, it’s a balance game. The next, a tea party table or a pretend bakery display. And because they’re waterproof and durable, we can even take ours outside.

It’s the kind of toy your child will keep coming back to, day after day, year after year. And as a mom who’s seen too many conventional toys break or lose their excitement after a week, that’s everything. 

The price point is a little steep at $299, but there is something to be said about the quality of the play that my daughter is getting out of these pieces. Seeing it actually encouraged me to donate a significant portion of her more traditional toys that never really got played with. Having a smaller selection of intentional toys (instead of bins full of traditional toys you'd see in those over-stimulating store isles) will foster more meaningful play for your little ones—this is something I had heard time and time again, but didn't truly appreciate until I saw it firsthand with my daughter. And an added bonus for busy parents: clean up is so much faster when there aren't mountains of toys to organize! 

Why Non-Toxic Toys Matter

Our kids spend so much time with their toys—mouthing them as babies, touching, and playing with them all day long, day after day. That’s why toy safety has to come first. Sadly, many toy manufacturers still use toxic chemicals like phthalates, flame retardants, or even lead paint in their products. I am baffled and saddened by this, for good reason. Our children's safety should be the highest priority to the companies creating their toys, but somehow, whether it be logistics or profits, other priorities have risen above the wellbeing of our children. 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has made progress on regulations, but not every brand meets those same high safety standards.

That’s why I’m so passionate about finding non-toxic kid's toys that are made from eco-friendly materials. They’re a great option for supporting your child’s healthy development without any of the bad stuff.

Brands like Plan Toys, Bannor Toys, and Green Toys have also done wonderful work in this area—but Stapelstein takes it a step further, creating high-quality, sustainable pieces that engage the whole body and mind.

Choosing non-toxic materials isn’t just about safety—it’s about peace of mind, knowing your child’s play is supporting their development in the healthiest way possible.

Final Thoughts

As parents, we want children’s products that do more than just fill a toy box. We want high quality toys that spark joy, creativity, and movement—without compromising our values.

For our family, Stapelstein has become that toy. It’s the one my daughter reaches for every single day. It’s brought more laughter, movement, and imaginative play into our home than I ever expected from a set of colorful “stones.”

They’re non-toxic, sustainable, open-ended, and endlessly fun. Truly, the perfect combination for a conscious, joy-filled childhood.

If you’re looking for a toy that inspires creativity while giving you total peace of mind, the Stapelstein Complete Set is the best toy, and I’d recommend it over and over again. I hope it brings as much joy and as many giggles into your home as it has mine. 

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