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The First Years Stacking Rings
by Kallie-Shuga
Stacking rings are just that. They are brightly coloured rings that can be stacked up - largest first and smallest last! I would put these in with some of the classic toys that have been revamped. There is nothing hidden, nothing too complicated, and nothing electronic in these rings! It is simply a plastic pole in the middle with 6 ... plastic hoops of different sizes to fit on and a ball stopper at the top. However, you can get different variations such as material stackers, ones that make a noise, different colours, shapes etc.
I bought these for my little boy when he was 9 months old. He didn't really know what to do with them apart from chewing on the plastic and/or throwing it! Now that he is 1 he likes to roll the rings and put them on the pole - however he still hasn't grasped the sizes yet! He seems interested in these every time I take them out and loves the different colours. I also use them to count which helps him develop his mind. I am hoping that over the next few months he will start to put the largest one first and work up with the stopper at the top - but for now he seems happy throwing and rolling these with his dad!
I have washed them with fairy and the colour hasn't run or faded. To which I am a bit surprised as he has chewed them loads - however there are a few teeth marks which will remain forever. I will be buying again for my next child but didn't [pay much for them and so would not mind replacing them.
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The First Years Stacking Rings
by HonestBob
Stacking rings are a must for any toy box and come in an amazing array of colours, textures, styles and materials.
A quick internet search has shown the simplest stacking ring sets to be made from smooth plastic with each ring a different colour, however, this is the most basic model. Slightly further up the complexity scale ... comes the same plastic style rings (hollow plastic centre pole and slightly curved base, generally with 6 rings to the stack and a top ball) but at this level the rings have textured shapes protruding softly from them, for example raised circles or bands around each ring.
As well as plastic stacking rings there are also soft fabric rings. These often contain sound effects (rattles, bells or crinkles) and their appearance may be more intricate than the simpler plastic models, sometimes with the fabric casing of each ring hosting several colours in a pattern or presenting a series of different black and white geometric shapes.
Some stacking rings are themed, and this appears to be more common with the wooden variety. I have seen green frogs, yellow and orange chickens, black and white cows and red and white ladybirds. Each stack is topped by a stopper representative of its characters head. A common theme seems to be clowns, perhaps because this makes sense, particularly when the rings are each a different colour.
As well as increasing in complexity regarding texture, material, colour and theme, the number of rings in a stack also varies. Those stacking ring sets designed for infants under 18 months generally contain 6 rings and a stopper whilst I have seen some with 13 rings for older children. The shape of the stack also alters as the age of the anticipated user increases, from the standard conical shape whereby each ring decreases in circumference from base to top, to more complex figures such as policeman and trees which involve a narrow base and top with a wider middle.
Stacking rings are a must for any toy box because of the variety of play and educational uses that they can be put to. In the early days they can be chewed and tossed about, later they can be used to learn about colours, size and seriation (putting things in size order). They are great for getting older toddlers to play 'with' young babies, and, if you have more than one style, they are wonderful for teaching children about different materials and their properties.
Prices range from around £4 to £17+ depending on the style, material, complexity and make that you go for. LittlesHonest Bob has progressed from his simple textured mothercare stacking ring set (approximately £6) iand s about to be spoilt with 9 ring wooden stacker setting me back £6.99 plus £2.02 postage.
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