With so many toys out there, it can be hard to find intentional gifts for our children that are both fun and meaningful. Using a Montessori approach to your shopping doesn't mean your choices need to be academic. There are plenty of Montessori-friendly toys that are beautiful and engaging, but also appeal to children's developmental needs.
Montessori toys are usually made from natural materials, non-electronic and foster independent play, creativity and concentration. Montessori materials are simple and somewhat minimalist in general, and this is especially true for infants and young toddlers. The world is so stimulating for these little ones already, that simple toys made of natural materials spark the child's curiosity without being overwhelming.
Here are some great options for the littlest ones on your list this year!
Activity gym
Many activity gyms can be overstimulating, but this one features wood and more muted colors and designs. It also converts into a little tent when baby is older and on the move.
Age: 0-18 months
Stacking rings
Stacking rings have been a part of early play for generations. And for good reason! They help babies develop and refine their hand-eye coordination and dexterity, while presenting a set of challenges that grow along with them. Start by handing them one ring to place and work up to placing them in size order.
Age: 0-18 months
Black and white image cards
As young babies can't yet see color, simple black and white images are the most striking to them. This set is great because the images can be used individually, or strung together into a book.
Age: 0-18 months
Object permanence box
As your baby drops the ball into the hole, watches it disappear, and then finds it again, he learns that things do not necessarily disappear when he can't see them anymore.
Age: 0-18 months
Wooden toy set
These classic Montessori baby toys each isolate one concept that baby is working on, such as cause and effect (shaking a rattle), and in and out (placing a peg in a cup).
Age: 0-18 months
Global Babies book
It is never too early to start reading to your baby and books that feature real images of people, nature and everyday items are a great place to start.
Age: 0-18 months
Puzzle ball
Puzzle balls are easy for babies to grasp and they don't roll too far. This encourages babies who are trying to learn to crawl, as the ball rolls just out of reach and they exert all their effort to scoot toward it.
Age: 0-18 months
Montessori mobiles
While many mobiles are designed primarily to make the nursery look adorable, the traditional set of Montessori mobiles was developed specifically to provide the ideal level of visual stimulation at each stage for your growing baby.
Age: 0-18 months
Finger paints
As soon as your baby is sitting up independently, he can begin to enjoy finger painting, which is a wonderful sensory experience as well as an early introduction to creative art.
Age: 0-18 months
Wooden shape puzzle
This is a great first puzzle as it is made of beautiful wood and has only five pieces.
Age: 0-18 months
Wooden blocks
Open-ended toys like wooden blocks encourage creativity and long stretches of concentration.
Age: 1-3 years old
Musical instruments
Exploring rhythm and music together is a great activity for those cold winter months when outdoor play may be more limited.
Age: 1-3 years old
Easel
An easel is ideal for early art work like finger painting and painting with large brushes.
Age: 1-3 years old
Sand toys
Sensory play is a critical part of the Montessori method. This wooden beach set is great for sand or water and allows little ones to scoop, pour, sift and experiment.
Age: 1-3 years old
Pop up toy
This toy is so simple, yet so entertaining for babies and young toddlers, who love practicing taking things out and putting them back in.
Age: 1-3 years old
Watering can
A quality child-sized watering can is one of the earliest ways small children can help with yard work.
Age: 1-3 years old
Wheelbarrow + gardening tools
If they're really ready to dig in (see what we did there?) and help, a kid-sized wheelbarrow and tools gives them all the license they need.
Age: 1-3 years old
Mop and broom set
Toddlers love to help with whatever household chores you are doing. A mop and broom just their size allows them to clean alongside you.
Age: 1-3 years old
Learning tower
This enables your child to work with you at the kitchen counter. This particular model lets him climb in and out of the tower independently.
Age: 1-3 years old
Pizza making set
Toddlerhood is the perfect time to introduce early kitchen skills, and what more fun way than making pizza together?
Age: 1-3 years old
Hands Can book
This book features beautiful photos of children exploring, communicating, and showing kindness with their hands.
Age: 1-3 years old
Rainbow stacker
This stacker looks beautiful on the shelf and also offers a challenge and introduces the concept of rainbow order.
Age: 1-3 years old
My mood matching game
Helping kids learn to understand and express their emotions is a key skill. This fun memory game lets kids match two identical emotions while learning about the relationship of colors and emotions.
Age: 1-3 years old
Felt weather board
As growing toddlers become increasingly aware of and interested in the wider world around them, the weather becomes a fascinating topic.
Age: 1-3 years old
Lucas tower
Here's the challenge. Move the entire stack to another rod, one disk at a time—without stacking a larger disk on top of a smaller one. Designed in 1883 by French mathematician Edouard Lucas, this puzzle is popular among Montessori teachers as it helps master problem solving, logic and enhance math skills.
Age: 3-6 years old
Lacing beads
There are so many fun ways for your 3-year-old to play with these colorful beads and necklaces. They encourage fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and open-ended play.
Age: 3-6 years old
Balance bike
Unlike bikes with pedals and training wheels, balance bikes make learning to ride effortless and fun. By learning the key skill of balance first, they're able to progress to riding without having to "unlearn" bad habits that take hold when riding with training wheels.
Age: 3-6 years old
Parts of the body puzzles
These challenging puzzles depict the human body in layers, from a skeleton, to the organs to the anatomy. It also comes with detailed educational cards to learn the different parts of the human body.
Age: 3-6 years old
Hammer toy
This early hammering work is great for hand-eye coordination and introducing a real life skill. This one provides a greater challenge.
Age: 3-6 years old
Pattern blocks or pattern play
Exploring patterns is highly engaging and great for pre-math skills.
Age: 3-6 years old
Memory game
Memory game is a wonderful gift that grows with your child, as younger children enjoy simply examining and matching the pictures and older children love the actual game.
Age: 3-6 years old
Young carpenter's set
Once a child can be safe and in control, giving him real tools builds his confidence and allows him to participate in purposeful work.
Age: 3-6 years old
Bingo
Simple games like bingo allow young children to practice playing a game with friends, including how to win and lose graciously.
Age: 3-6 years old
Fun with magnets set
Toys that support scientific exploration encourage your child to be his own teacher and keep his curiosity alive.
Age: 3-6 years old
Yoga pretzels with yoga mat
Yoga helps children learn self-regulation, calming breathing techniques and control of their bodies. Bonus: Add these yoga cards!
Age: 3-6 years old
Japanese brush painting set
Calming activities like Japanese brush painting help children in Montessori classrooms learn to be peaceful and can do the same in your home.
Age: 5 years old+
Origami set
Origami encourages development of spacial skills and a different way of thinking and children love seeing all of the things they can create with just paper.
Age: 3-6 years old
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