Grimm's Rainbow Stacker Review: Is It Worth €55?

The Grimm’s Rainbow Stacker is probably the most photographed Montessori toy on Instagram. You’ve seen it — those gorgeous arched wooden pieces in every colour of the rainbow, stacked neatly on a shelf or spread across a playroom floor in some elaborate bridge construction.

But here’s the question every parent actually asks: is a wooden rainbow really worth €55?

We’ve spent months with this thing. It’s been stacked, thrown, chewed on, used as a tunnel for toy cars, and turned into a cradle for stuffed animals. Here’s what we actually think.

What Is the Grimm’s Rainbow Stacker?

The Grimm’s Large Rainbow is a set of 12 nested wooden arches, ranging from about 5 cm to 36 cm wide. Each arch is a different colour, moving through the spectrum from red on the outside to violet in the centre.

It’s made in Germany by Grimm’s Spiel und Holz Design, a company that’s been making wooden toys since 1978. The wood is lime wood, stained with non-toxic, water-based dyes, and finished with natural oils. No lacquer, no plastic, no batteries.

Key specs:

• Ages: 1+ (manufacturer recommends 12 months and up)
• Pieces: 12 arches
• Dimensions: 36 × 18 × 7 cm (largest arch)
• Material: Lime wood, non-toxic dyes
• Made in: Germany (some elements produced in Bosnia & Herzegovina)
• Price: ~€55 (varies by retailer)

What Makes It “Montessori”?

Let’s be clear: there’s no such thing as a “Montessori-certified” toy. But the Rainbow Stacker aligns beautifully with several Montessori principles.

Open-ended play. There’s no “right” way to use it. A one-year-old might stack two arches. A three-year-old might build a village. A five-year-old might sort them by colour family and use them as part of an elaborate imaginary world. The toy grows with the child because it doesn’t dictate what to do.

Natural materials. Montessori philosophy emphasises real, natural materials over plastic. Wood has texture, weight, warmth — qualities that engage sensorial exploration in a way that moulded plastic simply doesn’t.

Isolation of difficulty. The nesting design naturally teaches size ordering. A child discovers through trial and error that the pieces only nest one way. No adult needs to explain it.

Aesthetic beauty. Montessori environments value beautiful objects. Whether or not you care about the philosophy, there’s no denying this thing looks stunning on a shelf.

The Pros

It genuinely lasts years

This isn’t a toy your child outgrows in three months. We’ve seen children use it from age 1 through age 6+, and the play evolves dramatically. Younger children stack and knock down. Older children build structures, sort colours, use them as fences for animal figures, bridges for cars, tunnels, beds for dolls — the list goes on.

For a toy at this price point, longevity matters. Cost-per-year, this works out to less than €10 if it stays in rotation for six years. That’s cheaper than most plastic toys that end up in a donation bag within months.

Build quality is excellent

The arches are solid, well-sanded, and feel substantial in hand. The colour is stained into the wood, not painted on top, so it doesn’t chip or peel. After months of daily use, ours still looks essentially new — a few minor scuffs that add character but no structural wear.

It’s genuinely open-ended

We’re wary of toys that claim to be “open-ended” but really only do one thing. The Rainbow Stacker actually delivers. We’ve counted over 20 distinct ways children use it without any prompting. It’s one of those rare toys where you put it down and then watch what happens.

It plays well with other toys

This is underrated. The arches become tunnels for trains, stables for horses, rooms for dollhouse figures, mountains for dinosaurs. It integrates into whatever world your child is building. That versatility makes it a multiplier — it makes your other toys more interesting too.

The Cons

The price is real

€55 is a lot for a toy. There’s no way around that. For many families, that’s a significant portion of a monthly toy budget (if there even is one). The quality justifies the price, but justification doesn’t change the number on the receipt.

It’s heavy

The full set weighs about 700g. That’s fine for play, but when a toddler launches a large arch across the room — and they will — it can hurt. Supervision is wise with younger children, especially around babies.

The smaller arches can be a choking consideration

The smallest arches are small enough to fit in a toddler’s mouth. They’re too large to be a true choking hazard for most children over 12 months, but it’s worth being aware of, particularly if you have a child who still mouths everything aggressively.

Colour variation between sets

Because the dyes are natural and water-based, colours can vary slightly between sets. Your rainbow might not look exactly like the one on Instagram. This is actually a feature of handmade, natural products — but if you’re expecting pixel-perfect consistency, set your expectations accordingly.

Who This Is For

• Parents who value long-lasting, open-ended toys. If you’d rather buy fewer, better toys, this is a strong candidate.
• Families setting up a Montessori-inspired space. It’s a staple for a reason.
• Gift-givers looking for something special. It’s beautiful, practical, and the kind of gift that gets used for years.
• Children aged 1-6+. The sweet spot is around 18 months to 4 years, but it has legs beyond that.

Who Should Skip This

• Families on a tight budget. There are decent alternatives at a third of the price (see below). Don’t stretch your finances for a toy, no matter how lovely.
• Parents who prefer structured toys. If your child thrives with puzzles that have a clear “done” state, the open-ended nature might frustrate them initially.
• Households with very young babies. Wait until your child is at least 12 months and past the stage of putting everything in their mouth.

Budget Alternatives

Not every family can or should spend €55 on a rainbow. Here are some alternatives worth considering:

Lewo 12-Piece Wooden Rainbow (€20-25): A solid budget option. The wood is lighter, the colours are less rich, and the finish isn’t as refined — but it does the same job. For a family testing whether their child will actually engage with a stacker, this is a sensible starting point.

Coogam Wooden Rainbow (€15-20): Even more budget-friendly. The arches are thinner and the colour palette leans more pastel. It works fine for younger toddlers but may not hold up as well over years of heavy use.

DIY option: If you’re handy, you can cut arches from plywood and stain them with food-safe dyes. Total material cost: under €10. Time investment: a weekend afternoon. The result won’t be as polished, but your child genuinely won’t care.

The honest assessment: the Grimm’s version is noticeably nicer in hand. The weight, the grain, the colours — they’re superior. But “nicer” and “necessary” are different things. A budget rainbow still provides open-ended, imaginative play.

Our Verdict

The Grimm’s Rainbow Stacker is one of the few toys that lives up to its reputation. It’s beautiful, durable, genuinely open-ended, and grows with your child over years. The price is steep, but the cost-per-use is excellent if your family is the type to keep toys in rotation long-term.

If you can afford it without stress, buy it. If the budget is tight, start with a cheaper alternative and upgrade later if your child loves the concept.

The Rainbow Stacker also features in our best Montessori toys for 2-year-olds roundup, and it’s a top pick in our Montessori gift guide under €30 (the smaller 6-piece version).

👉 Check the current price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Grimm’s Rainbow safe for babies?

The manufacturer recommends 12 months and up. The smallest arches are small, and the set is heavy. For children under 1, consider the Grimm’s 6-piece rainbow, which has larger, easier-to-handle arches.

How do you clean the Grimm’s Rainbow?

Wipe with a damp cloth. Don’t soak it or put it in the dishwasher — it’s untreated wood and will absorb water. If it gets food on it (it will), a damp cloth with a tiny bit of mild soap works fine. Let it dry completely before storing.

Is it worth buying the 12-piece vs the 6-piece?

For most families, the 12-piece offers significantly more play possibilities. The 6-piece is good for younger toddlers or as a travel option, but children tend to outgrow it faster. If you’re only buying one, go for the 12-piece.

Do the colours fade over time?

They can lighten slightly with heavy sun exposure, but under normal use, the colours hold well. The water-based dyes penetrate the wood rather than sitting on top, so you won’t see chipping or peeling.

Can you combine multiple Grimm’s sets?

Absolutely. The rainbow pairs beautifully with Grimm’s building boards, semicircles, and natural blocks. Combined sets unlock even more building possibilities. That said, the rainbow alone is plenty — don’t feel pressured to buy the whole collection.

The Exploritori Team

Independent Montessori reviews and guides — honest recommendations for curious families.