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The Ultimate Montessori Toy List -- Birth to Five -- UPDATED 2021

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!

2021 UPDATE: Please be patient with links this year, with supply chain issues things are selling out faster and restocking slower. I anticipate some of the specialty toys will not restock once they are gone. Puzzles, in particular, have been difficult to find in stock.

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. 
The Ultimate Montessori Friendly Toy list! Montessori friendly toy and gift ideas 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.

This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.

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!

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!

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

Cuddly

Lovies - blanket lovie | small doll | stuffed animal
Mini Play Silks  {larger silks} -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite
Baby Paper 
Rainbow Ball
Puzzle Ball: Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3
Crochet rattle
Crochet Sensory Balls: Option 1 | Option 2
Large sensory ball
Topponcino - perfect for a newborn
Baby Paper with Soft Sensory Back - One of Teddy's favorites
Soft Baby Blocks: Option 1 | Option 2

Fine Motor to 18 Months

Sliding Ring Return Toy: Option 1 | Option 2
Extra Large Stackers: Wooden | Plastic 

Young Toddler (1-Year-Olds) Puzzles 

Traditional 3 Shape Montessori Puzzle: Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 - Elite Montessori | Option 4
Chunky Wooden Shape Puzzles: Option 1 - Bannor Toys | Option 2 | Option 3 - Treasures from Jennifer | Option 4 | Option 5 |  Option 6 - Heirloom Kids | Hape
Wooden Knobbed Shape Puzzles: Option 1 |  Option 2 | Option 3 - TAG Toys | Option 4 | Option 5 | Guidecraft
Realistic Knobbed Puzzle (4 piece) Instruments | 3 puzzle set of Animals
3 Piece Knobbed Vehicles

Gross Motor  

Books

Wooden Baby Books: HABA | Lovevery | HeirLoom Kids 
Lovevery Play Kits

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.

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

Fine Motor

Stacking Toys

Stacking Tree - Kavanaugh Family Favorite

Other Fine Motor

Gross Motor

Play Tunnel
Wobbel Board -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite

Building and Block Play 

Unit Blocks: Option 1 - Melissa and Doug | Option 2 - Kidcraft | Option 3 - PlanToys | Option 4 - Guidecraft
Stacking Rainbow Pyramid
Grimms Rainbow -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite (best to find a small shop to get the best price)
HABA Ball Run
Grimms Stacking Boxes
Rainbow Blocks: Option 1- Tickit | Option 2 - Guidecraft | Option 3 
Rainbow Blocks with Glitter: Option 1 - Tickit | Option 2
Lovevery Block Set

Puzzles 

Chunky Piece and Knobbed Puzzles

Personalized Name Puzzle -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite

2 and 3 Piece Jigsaw Puzzles

2 piece Matching Puzzles Set -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite

Larger Simple Jigsaw Puzzles 

Other Puzzles

Fractions Puzzle
Bird Lift and Learn
Safari Animals Block Puzzle | Farm Animals Block Puzzle 
Opposites Puzzle Set

Layer Puzzles

Dramatic Play and Language Development

Memory Games: Wooden Car Memory Game | Faces | Shapes | Fruit

Musical 

Splurge

Lovevery Play Kits 

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!

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

Building Toys and Tools

Marble Runs: Wooden | Plastic (Kavanaugh Family Favorite)

Pretend Play

Wooden Barn - Kavanaugh Family Favorite 
Playmobil: TownHouse | School | Construction
I Saw It First: Ocean | Jungle
15p Frame Puzzles: Forest Babies | Farm Yard | Fire Truck | Zoo
Floor Puzzles: Space Floor Puzzle | Rainforest Floor Puzzle | Ocean Floor Puzzle | Global Children Floor Puzzle
40p Frame Puzzles: Horse Yard | Farm Yard | Inside the House Frame Puzzle | Horses Frame Puzzle | Construction Site | Garbage Truck
 USA Puzzle
Find and Seek Ocean Puzzle | Find and Seek Safari
25 p World map jigsaw
Melissa and Doug Wooden Frame Puzzle Ballet (48p) | Large wooden frame construction site | Large frame horses
35 p Jigsaw: Airport | Ballet | Harbor -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite
60p Jigsaws: Construction Site | World Map | Horse Meadow | Train station | Ballet
100 p Jigsaw: City Street | Construction | Beach
Wooden World Puzzle
Janod Body Puzzle - Kavanaugh Family Favorite
Body Layer Puzzle Girl | Body Layer Puzzle Boy
100 p Human Body Puzzle
Mini Puzzles: 48p Tiger Jigsaw | 48 p Sloth
Life Cycle Layer Puzzle Butterflies | Lifecycle Layer Frogs

Gross Motor

Hilltop Climbers -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite
Balancing Disk
Indoor Swing
Play Mat
Large Rubber Balls

STEM

Pocket Microscope -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite
Animal X-Rays | Human X-Rays | Insect X-Rays
Fun with Magnets
Skeleton Floor Puzzle
Geometric Solids
Liquid Scale | Food Scale
Wooden Pattern Blocks
GeoBoard | Natural Wooden GeoBoard
Magnetic Marble Run
Simple Machines
Snap Circuits -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite
Beaker Set
Agate Slices | Rock Samples
Laminated Butterflies and Plants 
Acrylic Bug
Anatomy Model
Giraffe Anatomy Model | Shark Model | Tiger Model
Microscope 
Human Body Magnets
Large Space Magnets
Gears Motion Machines
Code and Go Robot Mouse
Wooden Fractions | Plastic Fractions
Terrarium Kit
Hundreds Board
0-10 Bead Board and tracing -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite
1-5 Bead Board

Language and Culture

Globe
Montessori Continent Wall Map
Letter Construction
Cash Register
Magnetic Letters
Half-Sized Guitar
Movable Alphabets: Print | Cursive | Paper
Visual Dictionary
Anamalium | Botanicum | Maps -- excellent overview books!
Wall Chalkboard
Hand Puppet | Hand Puppet |
Sequencing Cards
Free Play Magnatab -- Kavanaugh Family Favorite
Cursive Tracing Board
Solid Wood Letter Puzzle 
alphabet stamps
Continent transfer work
U.S. Flag and Puzzle Map

Splurge 

Light Table
WobbelBoard -- soooooo awesome!


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!

Looking for Non-Toy Choices? Don't miss our Ultimate Montessori Non-Toy Gift Guide! 


Comments

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
December 5, 2016 at 7:49 PM
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 said…
This is amazing post.
December 30, 2016 at 4:10 PM
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 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

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