20+ Best Montessori Toys for Toddlers

The Montessori method encourages parents and teachers to give children space and resources to learn at their own pace. Based on Maria Montessori’s observations, educators give kids the chance to learn without “obstacles.” These Montessori Toys for Toddlers are tools for learning, that include educational toys for your child’s development. And they should be kept within the child’s reach and children should have the freedom to explore at will without being directed. But what sort of toys and tools for learning are suited to this method?

Montessori Toys for Toddlers

You might be wondering:  Are there Montessori toys? Where can they be purchased? Does it matter what kind of toys our children have or does it only matter that they have toys?

I’m going to tell you about the kinds of toys which tend to work well with this method, where you can get them, and why it’s important.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about Montessori toys.

Montessori Toy Rotation

It’s important to remember when creating your Montessori style room, that less truly is more. Giving children a few choices at a time gives them the opportunity to focus on a few activities and experiences without becoming overwhelmed. 

If there are too many choices, children may avoid playing with anything or flit from toy to toy without truly enjoying any one object for more than a few moments. To avoid this, you can carefully choose which items to purchase and limit your choices to one per category. For instance, one wooden shape puzzle instead of three.

Another way around this dilemma would be to rotate toys. 

Rotating toys allows you to create a new play environment for your children as often as needed. You may choose to rotate with seasons or switch once a month.

You could also choose to make available a few carefully chosen Montessori toys at a time and rotate only when those toys have been “mastered” appropriately and thoroughly enjoyed by your little ones.

Montessori Toys for Toddlers

The Montessori method isn’t just appropriate for school-aged children. It’s also a great strategy for encouraging learning with babies and toddlers too. 

If you’re looking for great toys for your toddler’s Montessori playroom, remember to choose developmentally appropriate toys. “Toddler” can refer to children as young as one and simultaneously be used for kids as old as three.

The toys a one-year-old can and should enjoy appropriately are very different from the toys your three-year-old will choose to play with.

Check out some of our favorite Montessori toddler toys in the list below.

The Best Montessori Toys for Toddlers

1. Toddler Sized Cleaning Toys – I love the little broom and mop from Melissa & Doug and AOKESI.
2. Wooden Animal Puzzles and Shape Puzzles – Hape has some beautiful versions of these simple puzzles.
3. Wooden Stackers – Grimm’s has many magical rainbow stackers for kids to enjoy. And they are all amazing!
4. Wooden Blocks – Guidecraft makes fascinating wood blocks with glittering water inside.
5. Child Sized Table and Chairs – We love the whimsical children’s furniture from P’kolino.
6. Toy Kitchen – KidKraft makes an educational farm to table play kitchen. We are big fans of Elves & Angels wooden kitchens too.
7. Cubetto – This is an early introduction to coding concepts using a tangible wooden toy.
8. Nesting Bowls and Toys – Russian nesting dolls would be an extra fun playroom addition.
9. Play Silks – Babies and toddlers enjoy playing and dancing with Sarah’s Silks. 
10. Farm Animals – Pick animals that are high-quality, realistic, and perfect for toddlers to play with.
11. Hand Kite – These are easy to make at home with a wooden ring and colorful ribbons.
12. Wooden Balance Board – Waldorf balance boards help build gross motor skills.

Are Montessori Toys Better?

Montessori toys often have natural elements that appeal to our sense of beauty and remind us of our own childhood.

The Montessori method and its promise to encourage our children to seek a deeper understanding of the world around them and develop a love of learning are also greatly appealing to many parents. But how can you know if the Montessori method is right for your child?

Are these classically simple Montessori toys better for your toddler?

I recommend reading up on Maria Montessori’s theories and learning about the Montessori method in theory and practice. Talk with other Montessori parents, check out Montessori based blog posts, try a few Montessori activities with your toddler. Then, you can better answer the question “Are Montessori toys better?” for yourself.

Educational Toys for Toddlers

Meanwhile, remember, Montessori toys encourage your kids to learn through experimenting. These are tangible toys they can experience, manipulate, and use to develop important motor skills and master early learning concepts.

Montessori toys have the ability to prepare your toddler for a lifetime of learning. If that’s something that appeals to you, Montessori toys are an excellent choice for your baby’s nursery, your toddler’s playroom, and any learning space for children you seek to create.

Click Here to Check Out The Best Montessori Toys by Age

150+ Montessori Activities and Free Printables

Studies have shown that you will also love the following ideas if you like them. I have pulled them together for you right here!