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 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! 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 children ages 3-6!
Montessori Teether and Rattle Set
Age:6 months-18 months
Peekaboo Lock Set
Age: 18 months+
A multi-faceted toy that will keep your little one entertained while building their concentration, independence, critical thinking and fine motor skills. The child has to unlock each box to retrieve the object inside and can also see the object through the colored acrylic window. This will help children learn their shapes, spatial relationships and colors.
Inny Bin
Age: 18 months+
This toy encourages tactile exploration, building fine motor and critical thinking skills and helps your child learn problem solving through experimentation.
Punch Drop
Age: 1year+
This toy helps develop hand-eye coordination, visual and spatial perception, gross and trunk motor skills and encourages creative play!
Silicone and Wood Teething Ring
Age: 6 months- 18 months
Mini Bell Rattle
Age: 6 months- 18 months
Wooden Toy Rattle with Plastic Rings
Age: 6 months+
Skwish Natural Rattle and Teether Grasping Activity and Toy
Age: 6 months-2 years old
Sensory Balls
Age: 6 months-2 years old
Montessori Object Permanence Box
Age: 1-2 years
Montessori Coin Box
Age: 1-2 years
Montessori Mirror Puzzle
Age: 6 months+
This is a great puzzle that can engage a child as they grow. When doing tummy time you can prop the mirror in front of your child . As they grow older the child will be able to remove the puzzle piece themselves and see their face. This puzzle helps teach facial recognition, object permanence, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem solving and more! The mirror is made from acrylic material so it is safe for babies and toddlers!
Playdate Friends Dolls
Age: 6months+
Double Rainbow Stacker
Age: 1 year+
Modern Dollhouse
Age: 18 months+
Melissa and Doug Classic Wood Bead Maze
Age: 1 year+
Perfect for curious little ones ready to explore and problem solve. This toy reminds me of the Dentist office or the church nursery because the ones I would go to always had this toy! Its a classic!
Melissa & Doug Rainbow Stacker
Age: 1-2 years old
Walk N Roll
Age: Beginner Walker/ 1-2 years old
Walker Wagon
Age: 1 year+
Foam Building Blocks
Age: 1-2years old
Sorting & Matching Peg Dolls
Age: 1 year+
Farm Animals Figurines
Age: 1 year+
This is a great gift that can grow with a child. The 6 year olds in my classroom still enjoy playing with these figurines. Make sure when purchasing for this age to choose the larger farm animals so they will not be a choking hazard.
Climbing Triangle with Ramp
Age: 2+
A great addition to any playroom or bedroom. Allow your child to climb, explore and improve their gross motor skills with this ladder and ramp set. The height is adjustable so it can grow with your little one!
Dust, Sweep and Mop Set
Age: 2 years+
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!