We live in such an amazing time for children's toys. There are so many options that you really could spend every day playing with something new. (PS, don't do that!) As a Montessori parent, I want to add toys that stimulate my children's senses, make them think, but will keep them engaged over and over again. Gear toys have been one that has fit those criteria for my children and for me.
Gear toys are often this unique combination of open ended toys (they can be put together in many ways) but that also have correct (more close ended) ways that they need to be put together in order for them to work. I love that these toys set the stage for deeper learning about mechanics and engineering that can be foundational to other learning later on.
(Using jumbo gears at a local library)
In our house, it's my 7-year-old that really loves gears and gear related toys. We have had several options over the years that have been loved by several of my children. Everything from toddler puzzles, to more open ended options have been a hit.
Consider these Gear Toy Choices
This list is far from exclusive when it comes to different gear toys. We personally have quite a few of the learning resources sets and love them as well as different gear puzzles starting in the toddler years. I love that some of these offer a vertical challenge where kids need to cross the midline to put gears together. Others have more specific places for the gears to go, and some are much more open ended.
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- Wooden Magnet Gears
- Toddler Rainbow
- Colorful Magnet Gears
- Transparent Pegboard Gears
- Learning Resources Gears in Motion: Beginner Set | Machines in Motion
- Toddler Bath Gears
- Wooden Gear Puzzle
- Plastic Creative Gear Building
Again, you don't need every single one of these - even if your children really like gears! But, adding a gear toy to your home can be a fun and interesting way to build logic and reasoning skills, early mechanical understanding and more.
Do your children like gear toys? Have a toy you would add to this list?
