Montessori-Friendly Toys for Children ages 3-6 years old

The holiday season is here and you may be looking for a quality gift for the little one in your life. As a Montessori teacher I believe children learn best through play and that the type of toy you buy your child matters. While there are no real Montessori official toys, there are materials used in the classroom and toys that work well for families who want to introduce Montessori principles at home. Toys that help improve concentration, fine/gross motor skills, coordination and help develop independence and critical thinking skills are an example of the types of toys that align with the Montessori method. Thankfully as more people discover what babies and toddlers are capable of and what they need to grow and develop more toys and activities become available that can help parents in nurturing, teaching and guiding the whole child.

When searching for Montessori-friendly toys for here is the criteria I use

Is the toy made of a natural material? The Montessori philosophy encourages the adult to surround the child with natural materials that they can explore and learn more about. The different types of textures we find in nature are appealing to a child and help encourage sensory play. You will still find a bit of plastic on this list because it is unavoidable, but for the most part the toys are made of natural materials.
Is the toy open-ended? Meaning can the toy be used in many different ways or is the child confined to one way of using it.
Does the toy require batteries? The simpler the better in my opinion. If a toy moves without the aid of the child it is not something I would choose for them. Yes, these toys can be fun but it will not capture the attention or develop the critical thinking skills of a child.
Is the toy based in reality? Maria Montessori taught that material for children should be rooted in reality. Young children have a hard time distinguishing reality from fiction and this can cause confusion. If you are choosing a toy, for example a toy pig, choose one that looks more realistic and less cartoony.
Does it give the child a sense of purpose? Children love feeling purposeful and doing work (aka playing) with purpose. That’s why you see so many children trying to get into cabinets to play with pots and pans like they see their caregivers doing. They enjoy seeing the outcome of their hard work and love to do things that seem like a part of the “grown-up” world.
Remember Less is More! Playrooms don’t need to be filled with different toys for your child. Children can become overwhelmed when given too many choices and its hard for them to organize their thoughts in a crowded room. If you choose high quality toys for your child you won’t miss the other toys and there will be less cleanup!

Okay, so that is my short little Ted Talk about Montessori adjacent toys. I gave age suggestions for each toy and a little description on toys that aren’t as well known. There are so many more toys I could recommend for this age group but here are my top picks for preschoolers! And as I always tell the parents of my students, you know your child best and what would capture their attention the most, these are my recommendations and please comb through them to choose items your little one will love. Enjoy and comment below if you have any questions or suggestions!

Here’s another list of Montessori-friendly toys for babies and toddlers!

Work/Play Mat
This is not a toy but something that you may want to consider purchasing. When we do floor work or play with toys in the classroom children do it on a work rug. This helps define their own personal space and helps keep the “mess” contained. This may be helpful for you at home as well. I give a gentle reminder to students that “work stays on the rug” and you can tell your child that “toys stay on the rug”. You can also use a towel or a blanket for this.

Rainbow Arch

Soft Stacking/Climbing Blocks
These are great for any age but particularly for 2-4 year olds.

Climbing Triangle with Ramp
Another item that is great for all ages and can grow with your child. 2 and 3 year olds enjoy this product the most.

Playdate Doll

Wooden Domino Set

Balance Board

Tap & Tack Design Play Set
This is a favorite of mine in the classroom. The children are able to “hammer” small shapes into a cork board palette. It allows them to use their fine motor and concentration skills and creativity!

Ramp Racer

Animal Parade Puzzle with Letters A-Z
I love this puzzle! It’s creativity and beautiful while also familiarizing children with the letter symbols.

Modern Dollhouse

Another Modern Dollhouse

Balancing Bike
Great for beginner riders! Here’s another option that’s a bit more inexpensive but still does the trick!

Magnatiles
This is another favorite in the classroom. Magnets + building seems to attract every child. Children can play and create for quite some time with these tiles.

Number Counting and Tracing Board
Great for children who are working on matching the correct quantity to the symbol. In the classroom I would allow a 3 year old to work with this but would closely monitor them with the smaller pieces. 4 and 5 year olds would also enjoy this work. See how many different ways you can add two numbers together to make the number 10!

Dust, Sweep and Mop Set
This is another gift that will grow with your little one. Children love to help clean and also enjoy participating in activities that they see their caregiver doing. This is a great way to teach your child independence and responsibility in cleaning up after themselves. They may not do it perfectly, but at least they will try and find satisfaction in what they are doing!

Reversible Pre-writing Tracing Board
I have some students who will sit and trace over these designs for 30 minutes. Its a great calm down activity and also strengthens their fine motor skills!

Pre-writing Templates
Another pre-writing toy! Writing is key to learning how to read so I encourage all of the handwriting practice and strengthening that tripod grasp as much as possible. This is a fun way to do it!