What is The Difference Between Montessori Toys and Traditional Toys?
A Montessori toy will look different from traditional mainstream toys. A Montessori toy will not have flashing lights and loud noises. Maria Montessori strongly believed these aspects are purely distracting to a child. Distracting toys do not provide children with the necessary opportunities to engage fully. Instead, flashy toys are seen as mere entertainment in Montessori education. A Montessori toy will be open-ended. Being open-ended allows your child to build their concept of the world around them. Montessori toys are slightly different from mainstream toys, emphasizing all-natural materials, simple ideas, and open-ended play. Many Montessori toys are wooden. With so many on the market, you may ask, what are the best Montessori wooden toys for my kid?
Traditional toys can be overstimulating with bright colors and sounds. A Montessori toy avoids overstimulating the child. They also avoid presenting “learning” experiences to a child before they are ready. Maria, the founder of Montessori, believed that giving abstract ideas in the name of “learning” early does not help the child. Instead, Montessori toys will focus on being simple yet provide opportunities to learn about the world in ways children can understand.
What To Look For in a Montessori Toy?
When looking for a Montessori toy, there are important areas to consider. First, the toy should be made from all-natural materials. Maria believed it was best to provide the child with natural materials. She avoided toys made from plastic. Instead, toys made from wood, bamboo, cloth, metal, or anything natural are provided. The Montessori toy will focus on one skill. They are also open-ended. Lastly, the toys will be based on real life. Montessori toys motivate children to learn skills such as pouring, sweeping, stacking, etc. These skills are the foundation of opening up your child's mind for motivation and knowledge.
Providing a Rich and Stimulating Environment Motivates Children
As parents, we can provide an environment for our children to stimulate and educate their senses. They will be engaged and learn at their own pace. Our child can learn through repetition and observation. The motto of Montessori is “follow the child.” This means we can watch our children and follow their interests. Then we provide them with an environment that allows them to flourish.
You can focus on several areas when you want to provide a Montessori lifestyle for your children. The best place to start is on movement, cognition, interest, and choice. These areas are open-ended and will give your child plenty of room to go at their own pace. Montessori way of life avoids extrinsic rewards because they tend to distract the child. This is a great place to start considering what Montessori toys you want to provide for your child. Below are our top picks for Montessori toys.
$20.99Buy Now- Five-piece wooden Montessori toys
- Wooden interlocking disc, Rattle, Push car, Teether, Bell
- These toys are soft and made out of safe all-natural material. No added paint or smell makes these toys perfect for little hands.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/01/2024 02:20 pm GMT
$19.99Buy Now- Sensory toys
- Baby rattle
- Teething toy
- Triangle grasping toy
- Toxic-free materials
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/08/2024 02:50 am GMT
$15.99Buy Now- Rolling drum, rattle
- Crawling toy
- Ages 6-12 months
- This rolling drum rattle is made from natural wood. The wood is unpainted, making it non-toxic. However, the wood can be rough to the touch because it has no gloss.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/01/2024 09:35 am GMT
Buy Now- Three discs with a vertical dowel
- Grasping toy for infants
- Fine motor skill development
- Eye-hand coordination
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
$19.95Buy Now- Three-piece shape puzzle
- Ages 6-12 months
- Knobbed wooden puzzles
- Natural wood material, non-toxic
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/09/2024 02:25 pm GMT
$31.95Buy Now- Ages 6-12 Months or Older
- Permanence dropbox
- Durable, natural hardwood materials
- Smooth, clear lacquer finish
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/01/2024 10:05 am GMT
$24.99Buy Now- Silicone stacking toy
- Improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
- Plastic-free
- Durable, soft, and does not splinter
- Measurements are 3.55 inches high, 1.5 inches wide, and 7.2 inches long.
The rainbow stacker is a Montessori favorite. This toy can provide your child with hours of imaginative play while fostering independence. The bright colors and soft material makes play time a blast!
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/09/2024 11:55 pm GMT
$33.99Buy Now- Natural, safe wood material
- Durable play kitchen set
- 14 pieces
- Cooker pot, frying pan, spices, spatula, ladles, plates, forks, and a storage bag
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/01/2024 09:40 am GMT
$34.99Buy Now- Dust, sweep, mop, pretend play toy
- Encourage your child's independence with pretend play
- Realistic cleaning toys to foster a sense of imagination
- It has a brush, broom, mop, duster, and stand.
- Fosters confidence and purpose
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/01/2024 03:35 am GMT
$21.99Buy Now- Montessori large wooden knobs
- Easy to grasp
- Small-size socket measurements are 5.8*1.6*1.4in
- Natural wood material
- 30-Day manufacturer refund
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/01/2024 09:55 am GMT
$32.96Buy Now- Rainbow ball sorter
- 36 wooden balls, three bowls, and a spoon
- Made from natural solid wood and non-toxic water-based stain paint.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/01/2024 10:05 am GMT
$59.95Buy Now- 64-piece wooden block set with a storage tray
- 12 different shapes
- Measurements are 5.5” long, 2.75” wide & 1.375” thick
- Natural New Zealand Wood Finish and sanded to be splinter free
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
04/01/2024 12:55 pm GMT
The Best Montessori Wooden Toys for Infants
Now that we discussed the foundations of Montessori toys let's get into the best ones for kids. When looking for Montessori toys for your infant, look for natural materials. Many infant toys will be made of wood. Keep it simple and not overstimulating. The gadgets and noises may be fun, but a Montessori toy will focus on engagement over entertainment. These infant toys keep it simple yet provide your infant with open-ended play. Our top picks have simple ideas that will engage your whole infant while ensuring not to overwhelm them with stimulation. The natural wooden materials are beautiful and appealing to babies.
5 Piece Wooden Baby Toys
Help your child improve eye-hand coordination, motor skills, and sensory skills. Most reviewers stated these toys have excellent quality. A few said they could be rough to the touch. So, keep that in mind before purchasing. Overall, this pack of Montessori toys is a top pick!
- Five-piece wooden Montessori toys
- Wooden interlocking disc, Rattle, Push car, Teether, Bell
- These toys are soft and made out of safe all-natural material. No added paint or smell makes these toys perfect for little hands.
MONTESSORI MAMA Sensory Toys Baby Teething Toys & Baby Rattle
Made from rubber wood that is toxic and splinter-free. This set of toys is great for cognitive development and tactile and motor skills. Perfect for tummy time!
- Sensory toys
- Baby rattle
- Teething toy
- Triangle grasping toy
- Toxic-free materials
Montessori Ball Cylinder Rolling Drum
Use this toy to encourage your baby to crawl and practice gross motor skills. The wood is non-toxic and safe for babies to put in their mouths. This is an excellent rolling toy for gross motor skills!
- Rolling drum, rattle
- Crawling toy
- Ages 6-12 months
- This rolling drum rattle is made from natural wood. The wood is unpainted, making it non-toxic. However, the wood can be rough to the touch because it has no gloss.
Tiger Montessori Toys for Infants Discs
These rings are perfect for little hands learning how to grasp! It allows children to work on sensory development and is made from quality material.
- Three discs with a vertical dowel
- Grasping toy for infants
- Fine motor skill development
- Eye-hand coordination
Montessori Shape Puzzle
Allows children to practice fine motor skills, pincer grasp, and focus. The knobs are perfect for little fingers, and the material is high-quality wood. The finish is smooth and clear. These puzzles are simple yet engaging Montessori toys.
- Three-piece shape puzzle
- Ages 6-12 months
- Knobbed wooden puzzles
- Natural wood material, non-toxic
Montessori & Me Object Permanence Box
The permanence box is a fun way for a baby to learn object permanence by dropping the ball and watching it roll out. Playing peek-a-boo has never been more fun!
- Ages 6-12 Months or Older
- Permanence dropbox
- Durable, natural hardwood materials
- Smooth, clear lacquer finish
The Best Montessori Wooden Toys for Toddlers
The best Montessori toys for toddlers will focus on one skill at a time. They will be attractive but not overstimulating. Providing your child with toys that focus on fundamental skills, such as pouring, sweeping, and stacking, are great places to start! Our top picks are engaging and will provide your toddler with play that is both imaginative and creative. From puzzles to pretend dishes, these toys are all-natural while sticking to concepts your child can use in everyday life.
BLUE GINKGO Silicone Rainbow Stacker
The rainbow stacker is a Montessori favorite. This toy can give your child hours of imaginative play while fostering independence. The bright colors and soft material makes playtime a blast!
- Silicone stacking toy
- Improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
- Plastic-free
- Durable, soft, and does not splinter
- Measurements are 3.55 inches high, 1.5 inches wide, and 7.2 inches long.
The rainbow stacker is a Montessori favorite. This toy can provide your child with hours of imaginative play while fostering independence. The bright colors and soft material makes play time a blast!
WHOHOLL Montessori Kitchen Toys
This cooking toy set encourages toddlers to take an interest in real-life play, such as cooking. Expands your child's focus and concentration while also giving them the opportunity for open-ended imaginative play.
- Natural, safe wood material
- Durable play kitchen set
- 14 pieces
- Cooker pot, frying pan, spices, spatula, ladles, plates, forks, and a storage bag
Six Piece Mop Pretend Play Set
This pretend play mop set is perfect for all ages, especially ages 3-6. This fun and durable set gives your child opportunities for hands-on and open-ended play.
- Dust, sweep, mop, pretend play toy
- Encourage your child's independence with pretend play
- Realistic cleaning toys to foster a sense of imagination
- It has a brush, broom, mop, duster, and stand.
- Fosters confidence and purpose
Thoth Montessori Knobbed Cylinder
This Montessori knob toy is a smaller version of the larger knobs. Encourage logic, reasoning, and thinking skills. Perfect for Montessori schools and early childhood.
- Montessori large wooden knobs
- Easy to grasp
- Small-size socket measurements are 5.8*1.6*1.4in
- Natural wood material
- 30-Day manufacturer refund
The Best Montessori Wooden Toys For Kids
As your child grows older, they will be focusing on more skills. However, it is still essential to keep the toys simple. Avoid giving your child noisy and distracting toys. Instead, provide them with toys that engage all their senses yet are not overwhelming. Doing so will help prepare your child to be motivated to learn during their sensitive periods. Our top picks provide children with space to use their imagination and explore their world. In doing so, your child will develop a sense of autonomy and confidence during play.
TENGZHEN Montessori Balls in Dishes Toy
This fun toy can help your child learn concepts such as color, numbers, and how to analyze. Imaginative and open-ended play helps children learn motor skills and improve memory.
- Rainbow ball sorter
- 36 wooden balls, three bowls, and a spoon
- Made from natural solid wood and non-toxic water-based stain paint.
Coogam Wooden Geoboard
Explore creating different shapes and work on fine motor skills with this unique toy. Kids can work on visual, math, and phonic skills. The cards can be used as a guard. However, children are free to make their shapes as well!
Standard Unit Building Blocks for Toddlers with Storage Tray
Open-ended blocks for imaginative play can provide hours of playtime. Work on many skills such as motor, spatial, and math. The possibilities are endless!
- 64-piece wooden block set with a storage tray
- 12 different shapes
- Measurements are 5.5” long, 2.75” wide & 1.375” thick
- Natural New Zealand Wood Finish and sanded to be splinter free
What is a Montessori Education?
A Montessori education is a child-centered education. The founder of the Montessori method of education is Maria Montessori. She fully believed education should be focused on the whole child. She also emphasized that children do not need fancy ideas and frills to entertain them. Children are excellent at being independent and self-directing. The Montessori method has increased in popularity over the last century, especially in education. However, Maria was a big advocate for taking this approach in every area of your child's life. Children are always learning and ready to absorb information around them. Montessori is a wonderful approach in everyday life, including play and toys.
Maria Montessori was an Italian Physician and educator. Her way of thinking about children has changed the course of education. Maria believed every person is born with a natural desire to learn. Children can and will learn at their own pace. They simply need the opportunity. Our child does not need us to fill their heads with the knowledge to help them advance. Instead, we can provide the environment our child needs to thrive and learn.
The Philosophies of Montessori
Montessori is founded on several philosophies. The first one is respect for the child. When we respect the child as a whole person, we will be able to see their potential, love for learning, and desire to grow. The second philosophy is the absorbent mind. Every person has the capability for growth and learning. This is true for children as well.
A child's mind is taking in an incredible amount of information daily. This brings me to the third philosophy of Montessori. Maria Montessori emphasized the sensitive periods for every child. During these sensitive periods, a child will focus and concentrate on particular activities. The child will be motivated to learn and absorb the information around them. A great example of a sensitive period is when a baby learns to crawl. No baby learns before they are ready. As parents, we prepare the environment and give our baby encouragement. However, a baby will not be motivated to learn this skill until they are ready. This happens in their sensitive period. Again, this is true for every child. We can prepare our child's environment to increase their motivation and give them room to succeed.
In Conclusion
Montessori toys are fun and engaging, yet are not complex. Your child is ready to learn and soak up the knowledge around them. Every child can be self-directed and motivated. Children can engage in play without fancy and frilly toys. Instead, when you provide your child with simple toys that will help them focus on one skill at a time, you are providing an opportunity to trust themselves. You are saying to your child, “I know you are curious and intelligent. I know you do not need the frills and fancy to learn. The world is an exciting place, just as it is. Let's learn together.” If you are looking for a Montessori toy to give your child, these are great ones to start with!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Everyonephoto Studio/Shutterstock.com.