Colourful stepping stones that turn into a balance course. A tower that topples over and is built again. A bowl, a seat or perhaps an island in the middle of a dangerous sea. Stapelstein is one of those play worlds where a simple design conceals a surprising number of possibilities.
At Lirum Larum Leg, we have long had a soft spot for toys that give children the freedom to create their own play. That is why Stapelstein fits so well into our selection and our universe. There are no buttons, screens or rules telling the child what to do. Instead, the starting point is movement, balance, imagination and free play.
We are therefore proud to be among the limited number of Danish retailers offering the distinctive Stapelstein stepping stones, balance board and motor-skills play sets.
But where did the idea actually come from?
The story behind Stapelstein
The story of Stapelstein began with a desire to bring more movement into children’s everyday lives.
Co-founder and designer Stephan Schenk grew up in a family of educators, and his interest in children’s movement and play later became part of the foundation behind Stapelstein.
During the first experiments, it quickly became clear that children saw far more possibilities in the simple elements than initially expected. They stacked them, built towers, created obstacle courses, sorted colours and invented new games of their own.
After more than two years of development in collaboration with, among others, educators, child-development specialists and movement experts, Stapelstein was launched in 2018.
Free play is still at the heart of the Stapelstein universe today.
What is Stapelstein known for?
The best-known Stapelstein product is Stapelstein Original – the round, bowl-shaped element that can be stacked and used in countless different ways.
The design is intentionally simple. There is no single function for the child to discover, and no specific game that has to be completed.
Stapelstein is known, among other things, for:
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stepping stones for motor-skills play and movement
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stacking toys that can be built and combined in many ways
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balance courses and coordination play
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simple and colourful design
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lightweight elements that children can move around themselves
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Stapelstein Board for balance play
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open-ended play where the child decides the purpose
In our opinion, this is an important part of the charm. A Stapelstein element does not need to represent anything specific before the play begins. The child gives the element its function.
From idea to Stapelstein stepping stones and balance courses
Stapelstein can perhaps best be described as a combination of motor-skills toys, stepping stones, stacking toys and flexible tumbling furniture.
A set of Stapelstein stepping stones can, for example, be placed on the floor and transformed into a balance course, with the child moving from one element to the next. Shortly afterwards, the same course may have been stacked into a tall tower.
Turn the elements over, and the possibilities change once again.
Children can lift, carry, stack, balance, sit and build with the elements. Stapelstein recommends the products from 1 year of age, and the idea is precisely that children explore the possibilities themselves through free play and movement.
This also makes Stapelstein interesting across different age groups. The youngest children can begin by investigating, moving and stacking the elements, while older children can create more advanced balance courses and combine the elements in new ways.
Stapelstein Original and Stapelstein Board – which should you choose?
If you are discovering Stapelstein for the first time, the Original range is a great place to start.
Stapelstein Original is the classic bowl-shaped element. It is made from EPP and weighs only around 180 grams, making it easy for children to move around themselves. At the same time, Stapelstein states a maximum load of approximately 180 kg.
Several Original elements offer plenty of opportunities for building, stacking and creating stepping-stone and balance courses.
Stapelstein Board, on the other hand, is the round balance board. It can be used on its own or combined with the Original elements, offering a different kind of balance challenge in which children can practise tilting, turning and finding their balance.
If you already have Stapelstein Original at home, we therefore think that the Board is a wonderful way to give your existing toys new possibilities.
Explore our full selection of Stapelstein
Stapelstein is a toy that grows with your child
One of the things we particularly like about Stapelstein is that it is not a toy with a very short lifespan in terms of age.
When children are little, the joy may lie in something as simple as moving an element, turning it over or trying to stack two on top of each other.
Later, the floor can be transformed into a balance course where children have to jump from stone to stone without touching the “lava”. Afterwards, the elements might become chairs around an imaginary table or props in a completely different role-playing game.
The child – not the product – decides.
This allows the play to change as the child’s motor skills, imagination and interests develop.
Is Stapelstein a good gift?
Yes, Stapelstein can be a wonderful gift, especially for children who enjoy moving, building and inventing their own games.
However, it is worth taking the child’s age into consideration.
For children from around 1 year of age, a small selection of Stapelstein Original can be an introduction to moving, stacking and exploring the elements through motor-skills play.
From around 2–3 years of age, the possibilities typically become even greater, as children can use the stepping stones more actively for small balance courses, building games and imaginative play.
For older children, several elements and Stapelstein Board can provide opportunities for more challenging balance games and new combinations.
This also makes Stapelstein a gift that is not necessarily “finished” when it has been unwrapped. You can start with a few elements and add to the collection at later birthdays or Christmas.
Why have we chosen Stapelstein at Lirum Larum Leg?
We select our brands with a focus on quality, play value and the worlds they invite children into.
Stapelstein reflects many of the things we value in good toys.
It encourages movement without telling children exactly what should happen. It can be part of physical play while also leaving room for imagination and creativity. And the simple design means that the products can easily be left on display in the children’s room or elsewhere in the home.
The fact that Stapelstein is still available from a relatively limited number of Danish retailers makes it especially exciting for us to present this universe at Lirum Larum Leg.
We want to be the place where you can find both familiar favourites and discover quality toys you may not have come across before.
Buy Stapelstein from Lirum Larum Leg
At Lirum Larum Leg, you will find a carefully selected range of Stapelstein products for motor-skills play, balance and movement.
Whether you are looking for the classic Stapelstein stepping stones, a set in colours that suit your home or a Stapelstein balance board to expand the play, you can explore our selection.
And if you are unsure where to begin, our best advice is to think about your child’s age and the way they already enjoy playing. Stapelstein does not have to begin as a large balance course – a few elements can be the start of a play world that grows alongside your child.
Explore our full selection of Stapelstein
FAQ about Stapelstein
What is Stapelstein?
Stapelstein is a German play universe with lightweight, stackable elements developed for free movement and play. The distinctive Original elements can be used as stepping stones, for stacking, balance courses, seating and imaginative play.
Where does Stapelstein come from?
Stapelstein is a German brand. Stapelstein was launched in 2018 after more than two years of development, and Original and Board are produced in Germany.
What age is Stapelstein suitable for?
Stapelstein recommends Original and Board from 1 year of age. How the products are used can develop with the child – from simple exploration and stacking for the youngest children to balance courses and more advanced movement play for older children.
What can you use Stapelstein for?
There is no single correct way to play with Stapelstein. The elements can be used to stack, build, balance, sit, spin and create different movement-based and imaginative games.
What is Stapelstein made of?
Stapelstein Original and Board are made from expanded polypropylene, also known as EPP. The material makes the elements very lightweight while allowing them to withstand a high load.
Can Stapelstein be recommended as a gift?
Yes. Stapelstein is particularly well suited as a gift for children who love movement, building games and free imagination. For the youngest children, you can start simply, while older children can enjoy several stepping stones and a balance board for more challenging play.
Can you buy Stapelstein in Denmark?
Yes. Stapelstein is sold in Denmark, although the brand is still available from a relatively limited number of Danish retailers. At Lirum Larum Leg, you will find a carefully selected range of Stapelstein products for active and motor-skills play.
