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November 16, 2015

The Ultimate Montessori Toy List -- Birth to Five -- UPDATED 2023

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When you are interested in Montessori, it can be difficult to know exactly what types of products you should get for your home. Or which types of "Montessori" materials are really worth the price. There are no rules about types of products can use the name Montessori which can add to the confusion. Not to mention, every toy manufacturer slaps the word "educational" on the package for good measure!


Jump To: Babies and Young Toddlers | Toddlers 18-months to 3-years | Preschool 3-years to 5-years



2023 UPDATE: Everything updated for 2023 with some fun new finds added! 

The Ultimate Montessori Friendly Toy list! Montessori friendly toy and gift ideas for babies, toddlers and preschoolers!

So, with this post, I'm going to try to help with this confusion! Here's a list of Montessori-friendly toys and materials for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.


First, let's clarify that there is no such thing as a "Montessori toy." Montessori never created toys, but only works for classroom settings. While there are many works that I recommend for home school use, you won't find these on this list. Instead, these are developmentally appropriate, natural (where possible), open ended toys! Many of these we actually own and many are on my own wish list for my children!


Need Older Kid Ideas?! Don't miss the Ultimate Montessori Toy List Elementary Years!


Babies and Young Toddlers {Birth to 18 Months}


When shopping for Montessori babies, I suggest, keeping materials as simple and as natural as possible. Avoid things that are too flashy, heavy or complicated. Instead, focus on beauty and function!


Jump To: Cuddly | Mobiles and Hanging Toys | Teethers and Rattles | Fine Motor to 12 Months | Fine Motor to 18 Months | Young Toddler Puzzles | Gross Motor | Musical | Books | Practical | Splurges


The Ultimate Montessori Friendly Toy list! Montessori friendly toy and gift ideas for babies, toddlers and preschoolers!

Cuddly


Mobiles and Hanging Toys


Teethers and Rattles


Fine Motor to 12 Months


Fine Motor to 18 Months


Young Toddler (1-Year-Olds) Puzzles 


Gross Motor


Musical


Books


Practical


Splurge 




Toddlers {18 Months to 3 Years}


Here, remember that every toddler is different, and unique. Try to follow your child's own interests and abilities when deciding what works for them! What is appropriate for one child, won't work for another! Some might be ready for something at 1-year-old and others not until 4.


Jump to: Fine Motor | Gross Motor | Building and Block Play | Puzzles | Dramatic Play and Language | Games | Musical | Practical and Art | Splurge 


The Ultimate Montessori Friendly Toy list! Montessori friendly toy and gift ideas for babies, toddlers and preschoolers!


Fine Motor

Stacking Toys


Shape Sorters


Other Fine Motor


Gross Motor


Building and Block Play 


Puzzles

Chunky Piece and Knobbed Puzzles


2 and 3 Piece Jigsaw Puzzles


Larger Simple Jigsaw Puzzles 


Other Puzzles


Layer Puzzles


Dramatic Play and Language Development


Toddler Games


Musical


Practical and Art


Splurge




Preschoolers {3 to 5 Years}


Follow your child's interests! By preschool age, many children have strong preferences, follow them! There are natural choices available to fit every interest and budget!


Jump to: Building Toys and Tools | Pretend Play | Games | Puzzles | Art Supplies | Gross Motor | STEM | Language and Culture | Splurge


The Ultimate Montessori Friendly Toy list! Montessori friendly toy and gift ideas for babies, toddlers and preschoolers!


Building Toys and Tools

Building Toys


Real Tools 

Pretend Play


(please remember many of the items listed for toddlers are still appropriate for preschool pretend play)

Games


Puzzles

Frame Puzzles

Under 50 Piece Jigsaw

50 and Over Piece Jigsaw

Other Puzzles


Art Supplies


Gross Motor


STEM

Science

Technology

Engineering

Math 

(these are not traditional Montessori math materials, but fun ways to support math learning at home)

Language and Culture

Writing

Language and Sounds 


Other Culture, Music and Geography


Splurge



I hope this post helps you make some Montessori inspired choices this holiday season! There are so many great choices to fit every child, and every budget!









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19 Comments
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Comments

Unknown
Unknown said…
What an awesome gift guide. There are so many beautiful toys here that kids will love to play with.
November 16, 2015 at 9:55 PM
Anonymous
Anonymous said…
Thanks for this list. I am not a Montessori parent by the label, but I try to keep an open mindset for my girls. In doing so, I find that I fit in with the Montessori crowd the most. When we were looking at preschools for our older daughter, we looked at everything with the intention of sending her to a traditional school. Turns out, we let her choose and she chose the Montessori School because her personality fit well with their program. We loved it because the school wasn't cluttered, and it just felt so peaceful compared to what we grew up with. Both my girls went to Montessori, and are very free spirited, well behaved and in general calm girls. I am somewhat attracted to toys that are Montessori, again, it's just something I realized when I was googling. I am not anti plastic, just anti music. I try to stick to non mainstream toys because I find that they offer the most benefits for kids. My favorite brands are Hape, Haba, Plan and Green Toys. My daughters love blocks....lego, lincoln logs, dominos, unit blocks and magformers. I was SO happy to find this list from you because I have a 5 year old like you do, and well she asked Santa for boxes for Christmas. I was like boxes? She said if she asked for a toy, she will only get that toy, but if she asked for many boxes, she can make ANYTHING she wants. It was so cute, so I will be getting her boxes. I wanted some more ideas though and your list has helped me out tremendously, so thank you!
December 3, 2015 at 8:11 AM
J
J said…
Thank you so much for this post! I hope you have made a lot of money off me using your links because, um, yeah. My credit card is crying. :)
March 13, 2016 at 12:38 AM
Justin L. Brown
Justin L. Brown said…
Play is regular for children and folks ought to empower it by giving right apparatuses. Wooden squares for children were helpful even in the past days. They are famous even now due to their solid and innovative craftsmanship.Kids' block brand
April 26, 2016 at 5:24 AM
marta larkin
marta larkin said…
A baby is a nice addition to the family. While you can cuddle the baby to your heart's content, you must not forget to bring the newly born loads and loads of gifts just to express your ardent love.
May 21, 2016 at 3:15 AM
Mac Alvarez
Mac Alvarez said…
A fine list of toys for every child age group. Thanks that you have segregated all these baby toys perfectly. New parents around the world would find it very useful. Often, we get confused what to give gifts in the baby shower ceremony, marriage ceremony and in birthdays. Before some moths I was in the supermarket to buy some gifts for my close friend's baby shower ceremony. But it's sad to say that i chose such an embarrassing gift that I couldn't forgive myself.
kid steals
August 4, 2016 at 4:56 AM
Unknown
Unknown said…
Kids love toys. Toys are more than just fun and games for kids and most toys provide at least some opportunity for children to learn. The best toys engage a child’s senses, spark their imaginations and encourage them to interact with others.
Top Toy Place
September 14, 2016 at 2:02 AM
Unknown
Unknown said…
Kids like to play with stuffed toys because it’s soft and fluffy. They are doing whatever they want, they can kiss or hug those toys, and also when their asleep hugging their lovely toy. A stuffed toy can help a child feel comfortable and safe. It always helps to improve their physical development by punching or throwing it. When they feel alone they are playing with their toys and talking with the toys. It is helps to develop their emotional.
Cheap Toys
September 28, 2016 at 11:55 PM
Unknown
Unknown said…
Kids like to play with stuffed toys because it’s soft and fluffy. They are doing whatever they want, they can kiss or hug those toys, and also when their asleep hugging their lovely toy. A stuffed toy can help a child feel comfortable and safe. It always helps to improve their physical development by punching or throwing it. When they feel alone they are playing with their toys and talking with the toys. It is helps to develop their emotional.
Cheap Toys
September 28, 2016 at 11:57 PM
Unknown
Unknown said…
Wow, this all Toys is perfect for my 2 years old boy, I learn what toys i buy, thanks for this post.
November 28, 2016 at 11:09 PM
Unknown
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
December 5, 2016 at 7:49 PM
Andrew Carter
Andrew Carter said…
Interesting blog and very amazing detail about the Adhd toys well done keep it up.
Adhd toys
December 27, 2016 at 4:56 AM
Mika
Mika said…
This is amazing post.
December 30, 2016 at 4:10 PM
Bethany K @ BeforeDuringAfter
Bethany K @ BeforeDuringAfter said…
Thanks Nicole! Lots of great ideas. This must have taken you ages to sort everything by category and provide the affiliate links (getting all the codes for that takes forever, I know!). I appreciate the time you took!! <3 You've given me some great ideas for my 1 year old and 3.5 year old :)
February 25, 2017 at 9:24 PM
Laura Elaine
Laura Elaine said…
Awesome post-- I know it takes ages to get links to all this stuff so thank you so much for the time it took to put it all together! I'm now set on a list of things to look into for my girls and have ideas of what to tell family for gift ideas!
May 25, 2017 at 4:18 PM