Playtime is supposed to be fun, but it can also double as a learning experience for your children. If you're looking for toys that bridge that gap, you've probably come across references to the Montessori education method before.
If you're not exactly sure what the Montessori method is, why it's beneficial or how to choose the right toys for that style of play, don't worry — we've got you covered! Shop TODAY consulted two child development experts about everything you need to know to choose the best Montessori toys for the little ones in your life.
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What to look for in Montessori toys, according to experts
"Montessori toys are designed to support active, hands-on learning rather than passive entertainment. They are usually simple, purposeful and help children focus on building one skill at a time. The best Montessori-style toys encourage independence, concentration and real understanding through play," neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez says.
Often, these toys are made from natural, sensory-friendly materials and have a simple design. But there are a wide range of toys that can accomplish the same goals of the Montessori teaching method.
“They are often based on real life and meant to teach specific skills. Think less light-up trucks and more toys that mimic real-world functions, such as cups to pour water with," adds clinical psychologist Dr. Samantha Glickman.
Best Montessori toys for 1-year-olds
What to look for: "Broadly speaking, an appropriate toy for an infant can be one that promotes sensory awareness and exploration (i.e. wooden rattle or textured ball)," Glickman says.
Hafeez notes that sensory toys that enhance motor skills and "involve grasping, stacking and simple cause-and-effect functions" work well.
Stacking toys are great for teaching babies basic life skills, like hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. This nine-piece set comes with rings of different sizes, weights and textures. The clear ring also has colorful beads for extra visual appeal.
Available in pink and blue varieties, this pretend set of keys is a multipurpose toy that focuses on texture, color and numbers. It can also be used as a teether. Babies will delight in its lights and they’ll have fun pressing the buttons.
With nearly 2,000 five-star ratings under its belt, this set of textured balls has earned the love of many Amazon shoppers. The balls help babies focus on their tactile senses as they grab the six different shapes and sizes. As an added bonus, they’re easy to clean.
This multisensory wooden rattle can help develop your baby's gross motor skills as they explore its various features. Little ones can stretch the elastics and slide the wooden pieces back and forth as the toy rattles. It even doubles as a teether.
Babies can listen to 50 different songs, sounds and phrases with this interactive toy purse that also lights up. It comes with several accessories that emphasize role play, including toy keys, a bracelet, credit card, mirror and phone. It also enhances fine motor skills with its sliding zipper and other features.
Best Montessori toys for 2-year-olds
What to look for: "Focus on toys that encourage gross and fine motor coordination. Encourage your child’s sense of independence by selecting simple sorting toys, puzzles and practical lifestyle toys. Your toddler will also enjoy playing with toys that have the same function repeatedly," Hafeez says.
The chunky wooden pieces of these puzzles are easy for toddlers to grab. Each set comes with six vehicle-themed puzzles ranging from cars and trucks to rockets and trains. It’s a great way for toddlers to hone their hand-eye coordination, fine motor and problem-solving skills while becoming familiar with different modes of transportation.
Two-year-olds will get to know colors and shapes while playing with this wooden sorting cube. It comes with 12 shapes that fit through holes on the cube, teaching toddlers problem-solving skills.
Who knew that one book could cover 19 motor skills? This felt board book doubles as a sensory toy that features puzzles, clock calendar games, animal shapes and color, shape and letter sections.
Your toddler will enjoy using this set of 100 wooden blocks to build a range of structures. The colorful set is designed to encourage fine motor skills, shape recognition and hand-eye coordination.
Parents usually teach their children not to play with their food, but this is a reasonable exception. The set comes with several different toy fruits and vegetables and containers to encourage toddlers to sort them by color.
Best Montessori toys for 3-year-olds
What to look for: "Search for toys with problem-solving functions and matching toys. Simple, imaginative activities and toys that allow for sequencing will be enjoyable," Hafeez says.
Glickman adds that toddlers do well with toys "that promote problem-solving and independence (i.e. shape sorters and simple household items such as brooms and water cans that mimic real-world activities)."
Help your budding gardener hone their green thumb with this play gardening set that comes with everything they need to maintain the perfect pretend garden. There are 10 potted plants in different shapes, a shovel, rake and watering can. It will help your toddler focus on hand-eye coordination and concentration.
Want to teach your child about nature? This magnetic bird feeding game is a great place to start, all while building fine motor skills. Kids get to catch worms and feed them to the baby bird as they focus on hand-eye coordination.
Counting, matching and sorting are all covered in this adorable farm train set. Each numbered wagon comes with a mini figure or farm animal that can be used as a hand puppet. Three-year-olds will engage in hands-on role play as they stack, sort and load the wagons.
Kids who love to play house will build real-life skills while setting up this kitchen accessory play set. It comes with four complete cookware sets plus two storage racks. From plates and utensils to cups and salt and pepper shakers, kids will learn about caring for kitchen essentials.
Toddlers are often eager to help their parents and be a "big kid," so 3-year-olds will definitely enjoy this cleaning set that's made just for them. It comes with a broom, mop, duster, hand brush, rag, dustpan and brush, organizing stand and electric handheld vacuum cleaner.
If you had a Cozy Coupe as a child, you know how many endless hours of fun they provide. This adorable version is designed to look like a T-Rex with its spikes, teeth and decorative details. Kids can learn practical skills while driving around in the mini indoor/outdoor car and interacting with its steering wheel, horn and key.
Best Montessori toys for 4-year-olds
What to look for: "Choose toys that will continue to increase your child’s concentration span. Creativity and logical thinking should be enhanced through building toys and step-by-step activities," Hafeez says.
Available in multiple colors, this mini doctor kit comes with a variety of items to teach children what to expect at the doctor’s office, all while working on their motor and cognitive skills. They can play with realistic tools including a thermometer, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, movable syringe and more.
Complete with 60 magnetic tiles, this set allows kids to build whatever structure their heart desires. The multicolored tiles fit together with ease, boosting their confidence and captivating their attention as they create a colorful building.
Knowing the basics of construction is an important life skill that everyone should develop. This wooden tool bench set helps 4-year-olds discover how to use tools ranging from hammers and wrenches to screwdrivers. The set comes with pretend screws, nuts, gears and more to help kids assemble items at their own pace.
Budding chefs will have a blast practicing their grilling skills with this barbecue playset that comes with tools, utensils, food and condiments to teach them the ropes. Kids will learn how to operate the pretend grill that makes sounds, has light effects and even simulates smoke. Plus, they'll learn more about the process of cooking and the various foods you can prepare on a grill.
Best Montessori toys for 5-year-olds
What to look for: "Select toys that encourage your child to refine their developing academic skills. Focus on problem-solving toys and open-ended materials," suggests Hafeez.
They might not know the names of all 50 states just yet, but your 5-year-old will certainly get to know them better while putting together this puzzle of the United States. It helps kids with their fine motor skills and teaches them a thing or two about the geography of our country.
It’s never too early to start teaching your child about the wonders of the human body. With this wooden puzzle, they can better understand just how complex the body is while building hands-on motor skills. Along the way, they’ll learn about the various body systems.
Learning is fun when you’re constructing something so cool. This magnetic tiles set lets 5-year-olds build an elaborate city road structure with sidewalks, intersections, traffic signals and other realistic features.
Designed to mimic a real log cabin, Lincoln Logs sets come with everything a 5-year-old needs to create their own buildings. This special anniversary set includes 111 pieces that connect to each other to form walls, roofs, fences, porches, chimneys and other structures.
Best Montessori toys for 6-year-olds
What to look for: "Increase the complexity of toys and offer more challenging, goal-oriented activities. Encourage decision-making and critical thinking. Your child’s learning will become more refined and purposeful," Hafeez says.
Children will learn strategy and decision-making while playing this classic board game. In order to win, they need to become the first player to get four in a row, all while blocking their opponents.
Perfect for kids up to 8 years old, this game tests players' critical thinking as they play logic games. It features 77 visual mind puzzles that can also be played on their own when they want some solo time.
Kids can build and fly 50 paper airplanes in several designs with this set that fosters engineering and problem-solving skills. It comes with over 500 stickers so little ones can add a personal spin to each of their planes.
Kids will eagerly make their way through this set of two books that are each filled with 72 pages of mazes, riddles, illustrations and challenges. They'll build their problem-solving and fine motor skills while also strengthening their critical thinking.
Kids can practice their STEM skills with this kit that comes with 108 pieces to build a Treadmobile that twists and turns. Whether they follow the directions or create a design of their own, they're sure to create a robot that'll make all of their friends jealous.
Frequently asked questions
Per the American Montessori Society, Montessori education is "an approach to learning that was developed by an Italian physician and educator, Dr. Maria Montessori, more than a century ago."
Hafeez says Montessori education encourages students to learn at their own pace. “Rather than having the entire class sit and listen to the lesson at once, children choose which lessons they wish to participate in. Instead of lectures, Montessori uses hands-on manipulatives. The teacher is seen as a facilitator instead of a leader.”
Montessori education is "self-directed and sensory-based," adds Glickman.
"The learning is tailored to an individual’s specific developmental needs and interests," she says.
Every child learns differently, and the Montessori education method hones in on their unique needs.
“The approach can help foster a sense of responsibility and autonomy in children through its encouragement of independent learning," Glickman says.
Since children are allowed to learn at their own pace through hands-on experiences, it allows them to channel their curiosity and creativity.
“It builds independence because kids practice doing things by themselves. Hands-on learning helps kids understand concepts more deeply,” adds Hafeez.
The underlying goal is to foster a love of learning and a focus on problem-solving.
How we chose
We consulted two child development experts about what to look for in Montessori toys for children ages 1-6. Based on their guidance, we chose options that have high ratings, are from trusted brands and are under $75.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Hanam Safeez is a neuropsychologist and the founder and director of Comprehend the Mind in Forest Hills, Queens.
- Dr. Samantha Glickman, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Study Center at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid in your life including babies, toddlers, tweens and teens!
