Best Grapat Sorting Trays and Storage Solutions (2026)
Five purpose-built wooden trays — one for every major Grapat set — so your collection is always on display, never buried in a basket.
Grapat pieces are meant to be seen. The whole philosophy behind open-ended loose parts play is that visibility is the invitation, when a child can see the pieces, they play with them. When the pieces are in a bin, they don't.
The problem is that every Grapat set has its own proportions. Carla Nins are taller and wider than Fancy Nins. Lola pieces sit on dowels. Nest Rings are flat and stackable. A generic storage solution that works for one set usually fails for another.
Every tray on this list is made at Maple Play in Jacksonville, Florida from solid hard maple, not MDF, not plywood, not anything that flexes or feels hollow. Each one is designed for a specific Grapat set, so the fit is right and the pieces sit where they're meant to.
In this guide
01 — Most Versatile
Maple Sorting Tray for Grapat Carla Best Seller
The tray that handles Carla's full complexity — Nins, Mates, and coins all in one place
Grapat Carla is one of the most expansive sets in the lineup: Nins, Mates, and coins in a full color range, which means more pieces to lose and more sorting combinations to explore. It's also one of the hardest to store well because of the piece variety.
This tray is made from 1-inch solid maple with compartments sized to hold Nins upright with or without Mates, keeping every piece visible and within reach. It comes in four styles (Classic, Stacked, Round, and Square) and in two sizes, half and full, so you can match it to the set you actually own rather than buying capacity you don't need yet.
The maple grain varies naturally between pieces. No two trays are identical in tone or pattern, which is the nature of solid wood rather than a quality issue.
- Full size: approximately 24.5" × 5.8" × 4"
- Half size available for partial sets or smaller display spaces
- Four style options: Classic, Stacked, Round, Square
- Grapat pieces not included — tray displays what you already own
Set the tray on a low shelf at the child's eye level rather than on a table. When children can see the pieces standing upright and organized, they engage with them without being prompted.
$79 – $139 Half or full, choose your style
Shop the Carla Tray →02
Maple Sorting Tray for Grapat Dear Universe
Built for the celestial shapes and varied piece sizes of Dear Universe
Dear Universe has a more varied piece shape than standard Nins sets, the celestial theme means different sizes and profiles sitting together. Generic storage doesn't serve that well, because the compartments aren't sized for the variation.
This oval tray is designed specifically around the Dear Universe piece dimensions, so each figure has a place that fits rather than a slot it happens to fit into. At $74 it's one of the more accessible trays in the lineup, and the oval shape suits the organic aesthetic of the set.
Like every Maple Play tray, it's cut from solid hard maple in Florida and ships in 5–7 business days.
- Designed specifically for Grapat Dear Universe pieces
- Oval form to match the set's organic aesthetic
- Solid maple, handmade in Florida
- Grapat pieces not included
$74
Shop the Dear Universe Tray →03
Maple Sorting Tray for Grapat Fancy Nins
The one tray that actually fits Fancy Nins — because standard Nins trays don't
Fancy Nins have a wider base and taller profile than standard Nins. A tray designed for standard Nins will let Fancy Nins wobble, tip, or not fit at all. This tray is built around Fancy Nins proportions specifically, which is exactly the distinction that makes it worth having.
For families with both a Fancy Nins set and a standard Nins set, this is the storage solution that handles the size difference rather than forcing pieces into compartments that almost fit.
A note: this tray will not work correctly for standard Nins. That's intentional, it's built for Fancy Nins, not as a universal tray.
- Compartments sized for Fancy Nins proportions specifically
- Will not correctly fit standard Grapat Nins — this is by design
- Available for partial or full Fancy Nins sets
- Solid maple, handmade in Florida
from $44
Shop the Fancy Nins Tray →04
Maple Sorting Tray for Grapat Lola
Integrated dowels that hold each Lola piece exactly as it's meant to stand
Lola pieces are designed around a dowel, each figure sits on a small wooden peg that is part of the play set itself. Flat-bottom compartments don't work for Lola because the pieces aren't meant to lie flat. They're meant to stand.
This tray has integrated wooden dowels built into each compartment so every Lola figure sits upright in its natural position. The pieces display exactly as they're meant to be used, not stored awkwardly sideways or stacked. It's the detail that separates a purpose-built tray from a repurposed one.
- Integrated dowels match the Lola piece pegged design
- Pieces stand upright as intended, not laid flat
- Available for partial and full Lola sets
- Solid maple, handmade in Florida
from $59
Shop the Lola Tray →05
Sorting Display for Grapat Nest Rings
Keeps all rings visible simultaneously — color-sorted, upright, in a compact footprint
Nest Rings are flat, colorful, and satisfying to sort by size or color. The problem with most storage is binary: either stack them (colors disappear) or spread them flat (takes enormous surface area). Neither solution makes the rings visible the way they deserve to be.
This display holds the rings upright, fanned out, so every color is visible at once across a compact footprint. It's one of the more visually striking pieces on a playroom shelf, and it makes the collection feel like an intentional display rather than something waiting to be put away.
- Rings stand upright, all colors visible simultaneously
- Compact footprint — far less surface area than spreading flat
- Solid maple, handmade in Florida
- New addition to the Maple Play lineup
$69
Shop the Nest Rings Display →How to choose the right Grapat tray
Match the tray to the specific set you own. The sets are different enough in piece size and shape that a tray designed for one will not work well for another.
| Tray | Grapat set | Sizes | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carla Tray | Grapat Carla (Nins, Mates, coins) | Half or Full | $79 |
| Dear Universe Tray | Grapat Dear Universe | One size | $74 |
| Fancy Nins Tray | Grapat Fancy Nins | Partial or Full | $44 |
| Lola Tray | Grapat Lola | Partial or Full | $59 |
| Nest Rings Display | Grapat Nest Rings | One size | $69 |
If you own Grapat Carla: The Carla Tray in Classic or Stacked style handles both the Nins and Mates in a single piece. Start with the half size if the collection is still growing.
If you own Grapat Fancy Nins: Don't use a standard Nins tray. The Fancy Nins Tray is built for the wider base and taller profile of that specific set — standard compartments won't hold the pieces upright correctly.
If you own Grapat Lola: The dowel design is non-negotiable. Any flat-bottom tray will require the Lola pieces to lie on their side, which is the opposite of how they're meant to be displayed.
If you own multiple Grapat sets: Browse the full Grapat Trays collection — there are 16 tray options across the Maple Play lineup, covering most major Grapat releases.
Custom requests: If your set isn't listed or you want a different configuration, send a message through the contact page. Most custom tray requests are accommodated.
Frequently asked questions
Are Grapat pieces included with the trays?
No. Every Maple Play tray is designed to display Grapat pieces you already own or purchase separately from Grapat retailers. The tray photos use real Grapat pieces for demonstration — they are not included.
How long does shipping take?
Orders are typically processed within 24–48 hours and delivered within 3–7 business days. Each tray is handmade to order in Florida. For holiday gifts, plan for the standard lead time plus any carrier delays in late November and December.
Can I request a custom size or configuration?
Yes. Send a message through the contact page describing your set and what you're looking for. Custom and modified tray requests are regularly accommodated.
What wood are the trays made from?
Solid hard maple. Not MDF, not plywood, not particle board. Maple is a dense hardwood that does not flex, does not feel hollow, and develops a natural patina over time. The grain pattern varies between pieces because it is natural wood — no two trays are identical.
Will the Carla Tray work for Grapat Nins (non-Carla)?
The Carla Tray is sized for Grapat Carla Nins specifically, which are dimensionally different from standard Grapat Nins. If you own standard Nins, send a message through the contact page and we can advise on the best fit.
What if my Grapat set is not listed here?
There are 16 Grapat-compatible trays in the Maple Play lineup. Check the full Grapat Trays collection for the complete range. If your set is still not covered, contact us — we design new trays regularly and take custom requests.
Ready to give your Grapat collection a permanent home?
Every tray ships from Florida, handcrafted from solid maple. Match the tray to your set and the pieces will always be on display — which means they'll always get played with.
Shop All Grapat Trays →