Image: MomJunction Design Team
Montessori is an approach that focuses on education and development by allowing children to learn in a hassle-free manner. The best Montessori toys for babies could help children learn at their own pace in this system. If you don’t know, this is a “have fun while you learn” experience that engages the child in all senses, including listening, observing, touching, and smelling, and helps them develop essential skills. To help you choose the best toys, check out the list we have compiled and the buying guide. The features could help you pick a tried-and-tested and suitable toy for your child’s learning.
Top Picks
15 Best Montessori Toys For Babies
1. Best For Hand Movements:Elite Montessori Object Permanence Box With Tray And Ball
This Montessori-inspired toy is made for children to practice precise hand movements. The parent-recommended ball and tray game also helps develop hand, wrist, and finger coordination while letting the child experience object permanence. The child has to drop the little ball through the hole in the box. The ball rolls out of the box and goes into the attached tray, where it is visible again. You may check out this video for a detailed review of this practical life activity toy.
Pros
- Teaches children how to set goals
- Wooden ball is available in two colors
- Suitable for children aged eight months and above
- Ideal for cognitive skill development
- Strengthens hand muscles
Cons
- Ball may be noisy when dropped
- Paint may peel off
Did you know?2. Best Educational:Panda Brothers Wooden Geoboard
The Panda Brothers’ wooden Montessori geoboard encourages children to create geometrical shapes and designs while introducing them to the concepts of symmetry and counting. Designed to make the learning process fun, the pack includes a wooden board with 64 round-ended embedded nails, ensuring the child’s safety, 40 colorful rubber bands, and 30 double-sided picture cards to create 2D images on the board. The age-appropriate Montessori toy is recommended for children three years and above.
Pros
- 100% natural and sturdy plywood
- Improves hand-eye coordination
- Helps recognize colors
- Helps develop cognition and fine motor skills
- Promotes imagination and independent play
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- May not have a neat, sophisticated finish
- May be smaller than expected
"This toy has been excellent for everything from crafting shapes to learning colors and building fine motor skills. Its wooden build, though durable, could have been smoother. Still, it's perfect for making playtime educational."
3. Best For Learning Sounds: Organic Wood Montessori Styled Baby Rattle By Baney
This organic wood baby rattle toy is an all-natural product for the safety of your baby. Each rattle is sealed with a mixture of organic beeswax and coconut oil. The toy is made up of hard maple and birch to create a smooth finish and withstand the test of time. The colors used are water-based and non-toxic too, to give your baby a safe learning experience. This toy is based on the Montessori method of learning with natural sounds and colors, offering a great sensory experience.
4. Best Multipurpose:Mixi Baby Toys Blocks
These time-tested soft building blocks are easy to hold and squeeze. They are firm enough to be stacked too. The activity cubes come in various designs, including animals, shapes, and fruits, and allow children to visually explore these objects. This is a multipurpose educational toy that can also be used as a Montessori shape sorter toy, teether, squeaker, bath toy, or chewable toy.
Pros
- Works as a STEM toy
- Encourages building, balancing, and stacking.
- 3D embossed surface helps build motor skills
- Apt for inspiring cognitive ability
- Teaches kids to identify and recognize surroundings
- Made of food-grade silicone
- BPA-free and non-toxic
Cons
- May not be easy to stack
- May not be mold-resistant
5. Best For Indoors & Outdoors:Meroco Montessori Sensory Toys Rainbow Color Hand Kite
This Montessori hand kite encourages creative play and exercise, as the ribbons spin and float when children run around with it. The practical life skill toy comes in various colors and has six ribbons of various sizes tied to it. This toy can be used to play indoors with music or outside for fluttering in the wind. When not in use, the kite looks beautiful hanging on the wall or closet doors.
Pros
- Helps children identify colors
- Sturdy and easy to grip
- Improves hand-eye coordination
- Ergonomically sized for baby’s hands
- Ribbons have less chance of tangling
Cons
- Wooden ring may not be durably built
- May not suit younger babies
"Thanks to the wearable design, this toy stays put on my child’s wrist even when she is fussy. Its ribbons are also soft to the touch and do not get tangled. Although simple, it's been perfect for encouraging movement and enhancing color recognition."
Do remember6. Best For Communication Skills:Ancaixin Montessori Stack Up Sorting Puzzle
The Montessori stack up sorting and counting puzzle is manufactured using high-quality wood free of lead, BPA, and phthalates. The smooth edges make this wooden puzzle suitable for children aged three to five years. Stacking helps develop creative thinking abilities and motor skills and a sense of balance in children. The safety-tested toy set also helps improve essential skills, including communication, patience, and teamwork skills.
Pros
- Enhances dexterity and balancing skills
- Large size to prevent choking
- Teaches children shape recognition skills
- Comes packaged in a gift-ready box
- Free of splinters
Cons
- Base might be slightly heavy
- Paint may peel if exposed to water
"I’m thoroughly impressed with how easily this carrot sorting toy keeps my little ones engaged and promotes their fine motor skills. Its colors are also lively, and it has proven durable enough to withstand my son’s chomping."
7. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination:Orcamor Wooden Stacking Rings Toy With Elephant Topper
The Orcamor Wooden Stacking rings are made of heirloom quality real beech wood and coated with non-toxic varnish and waterborne paint. This is a Montessori practice life skill toy, designed for children aged one year and up, and the rings come in various colors and are stackable. The skill-building Montessori stacking toy helps develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and a sense of order. The elephant is well-detailed to keep your child engaged.
Pros
- Sharpens visual and spatial perception
- Circus design can excite children
- Teaches object permanence
- Made of real wood
- Non-toxic, water-based paint
Cons
- Wood pieces may be hard
- May be smaller than expected
"In addition to looking adorable, this stacking toy keeps my little one engaged for hours. The non-toxic build also offers peace of mind, and the vibrant colors look very lively."
8. Best For Teething:Promise Babe 4pc Organic Toddler Wooden Rattles
Promise Babe offers Montessori sensorial toys like rattles that are designed to stimulate and develop your baby’s vision and hearing. The rattles make a soothing sound when shaken. The sound comes due to the impact between the wooden rings, beads, or other objects that are attached to it. The design of these practical life skill toys is perfect for grasping and teething for babies and toddlers. The kid can chew on this age-appropriate Montessori toy or shake it to listen to the sounds and see the colors for sensory stimulation.
Quick fact9. Best For Sorting:Sendida Montessori Math Shapes Puzzle Toys
This expert-approved colorful stacking puzzle toy for kids by Sendida is completely safe to use and is BPA-free. The Montessori math toy set improves cognitive skills, helps in developing early sorting skills, and aids in learning colors and numbers. The fun sticks for counting are an excellent Montessori fine motor toy that also helps to improve general intelligence. Children will enjoy sorting different shapes and colors, counting pieces, stacking blocks, naming the colors, and putting counter rings on wooden pegs.
Pros
- CPC ASTM/EN71 approved shape sorter
- Water-based lacquer coating
- Smooth edges reduce chances of injury
- Suitable for children aged three years and above
- Promotes problem-solving skills
- Stain- and water-resistant finish
Cons
- Contains tiny parts
- Pegs might be slightly loose
"This educational toy has been ideal for improving everything from color recognition to numerical skills. I had to apply some glue on the pegs, but the set is durable enough to handle independent play. Also, the wooden build is much appreciated."
10. Best BPA-Free:Let’s Make Wooden Teethers
These wooden teethers shaped like an elephant and a bird are organic, safe, and comfortable for babies to hold. They are safe for chewing as they are made of food-grade material and are free of BPA, lead, PVC, phthalates, latex, and cadmium. The practical toy set also promotes children’s fine motor and grasping skills.
Pros
- Helps relieve anxiety
- Great for gifting
- Designed to suit baby’s small hands
- Modern and stylish look
- Made of beech wood
- Treated with organic virgin oil
Cons
- Slightly sharp edges
- Color may run
11. Best Non-Toxic: Jcren Wooden Lacing Apple Threading Toy
Develop your child’s lacing and sewing skills with this safety-tested toy. The end of the wooden toy has an attached thread, and the other end is attached to a tiny wooden caterpillar that makes sewing easier. This educational baby toy helps enhance imagination, aid motor skill development and hand-eye coordination, and can work as a Montessori problem-solving toy as well. It is made of non-toxic materials and is suitable for children aged three years and above.
Pros
- Improves problem-solving skills
- Odorless and non-toxic water-based paint
- Meets EN71 safety standards
- Encourages children to be independent
- Teaches focus and concentrate
- Keeps them engaged for hours
- Easily portable
- Made of 100% natural wood
- Suitable for gifting
Cons
- Paint may chip
- May be slightly heavy
12. Best Wooden:Leo & Friends Baby Stacking Rings Toys
The Leo & Friends baby toy is a great learning toy for children aged 18 months and above. The rings and the bear on top are made of real wood and covered with non-toxic paint and varnish. Crafted with an educational approach, the toy develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination in children and teaches them a sense of order. The tried-and-tested Montessori shape-sorting toy helps your child to recognize different shapes. It is smooth, and the size is perfect for a child’s little hands.
Pros
- Teaches children to identify shapes and colors
- CPSC-, CPSIA-, and ASTM-certified
- Enhances spatial perception
- Aids visual development
- Intended for long play
- Works as an early development toy
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- Paint might come off if wet
"The best part about this stacker toy is its sturdy build and non-toxic finish. Besides, the vibrant colors and different sizes encourage him to stack and unstack them for hours. Its build is also durable, so I hope it will last long."
13. Best Memory-Enhancing:Coogam Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle Set
The Coogam wooden jigsaw puzzle set is a pack of six animal-shaped puzzles with vibrant colors that appeal to children. This is a memory-enhancing game that also teaches children about animals. The game is simple: just put the blocks on the corresponding animal board by remembering the animal shape. This toy is suitable for children aged two to five years to help them learn practical life skills.
Pros
- Ideal toy for parent-child bonding
- Non-toxic paint
- Safe for babies to play with
- Supports children’s fine motor skill development
- Smoothened and no sharp edges
- Improves concentration
Cons
- May have a peculiar odor
- Might be slightly thin
"These wooden puzzles instantly captured my toddler's attention with their vibrant colors. Although compact, they are sturdy, and their size is just right for my kid's little hands. All in all, they have made my kid's playtime fun and educational."
14. Best Easy-To-Store:LiKee Alphabet And Number Flash Cards And Puzzle Set
LiKee toy set is designed to let children learn the alphabet and numbers. This age-appropriate Montessori toy is effective and fun as it involves sorting wooden blocks, matching them to cards, and simultaneously learning the letters of the alphabet too. These flashcards are designed to enhance color recognition, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills. The cards are safe to use and can be stored and carried easily.
Pros
- Non-toxic and well-crafted pieces
- Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers
- Extra thick and durable
- Filled with colorful, fun, and vibrant illustrations
- Made of 100% natural wood
- Suitable for children aged three years and above
Cons
- May have a peculiar odor when new
- Paint may rub off from the letters
15. Best Travel-Friendly:Wily Fox Sensory Toys
Wily Fox has developed this sensory toy for children with autism, as not all children learn the same way. The educational toy helps develop a child’s fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, verbal skills, memory, logic, and imagination. It is a sorting game with clear rules and instructions so that parents and children understand what the game is about.
Pros
- Apt for bilingual children
- Travel-friendly design
- Stimulates logical thinking skills
- Enhances visual perception
- Helps children overcome speech delay
Cons
- Cards may have spelling mistakes
- Board may be smaller than expected
"Adding this toy to my kid's playtime has done wonders for his speech. Its versatile pieces also prevent boredom, and the sticker rewards are a nice touch. I wish the animals were labeled, but it has still facilitated hours of group and independent play sessions."
How To Choose The Right Montessori Toys?
This is how you can choose the right Montessori toy for your baby.
- No artificial or chemical ingredients: A child should be surrounded by natural products as much as possible. So, make sure the toys are made of natural materials like wood, metal, cotton, or rock.
- Distraction-free: Buy toys with endless possibilities that do not require any batteries and are simple. Toys should be able to keep your little ones engaged and encourage imagination.
- Single skill at a time: One toy should be teaching one skill at a time. Too much in a single toy makes it complicated for the child to learn skills. Advanced toys can be used in later years.
- Purpose-driven: Choose toys that are realistic. Figures of animals or fruits, objects, and such should be as realistic as possible to help the child understand them better. This way, your kid knows how the real thing in the real world looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Montessori toys always wooden?
Some Montessori toys may also be made of plastic, like building sets or puzzles. However, wooden toys are generally considered Montessori toys as wooden toys help in better sensory exploration. They are durable for repetitive learning and visually pleasing than plastic toys.
2. Are Montessori toys good for babies?
Montessori toys help your child with hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and grasping skills.
3. Are Montessori toys safe?
Montessori toy with no sharp edges, free of harsh chemicals or elements, and those that are safety-certified are considered safe.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose, a product writer and reviewer, is experienced in reviewing toys and gifts. She brings a comprehensive list of some of the best Montessori toys for your children. Here, she has shortlisted these best-selling toys that will make playing fun and educational at the same time. These Montessori-inspired toys listed have good user ratings and reviews on leading e-commerce sites. You can check the buying guide to pick the most suitable and age-appropriate toy for your little one.
The Bottom Line
The Montessori learning system focuses on independence, collaborative play, and hands-on learning. These toys encourage learning and enhance curiosity. Montessori toys are extremely versatile; with these toys, less is more. You can introduce Montessori toys to babies as young as one year. These toys are eco-friendly, purpose-driven, do not contain batteries, and are simple yet effective. Our top picks include the Elite Montessori Object Permanence Box With Tray And Ball, which helps develop the hand muscles and motor skills, and the Panda Brothers Wooden Geoboard for all-around learning opportunities. We also like the Orcamor Wooden Stacking Rings Toy With Elephant Topper, as it helps improve visual and spatial perception. So, pick the best Montessori toys for babies from this elaborate list of unique and interesting Montessori materials and make your little one’s playtime more enjoyable.
Infographic: What Are The Features Of Typical Montessori Toys?
Montessori toys are based on the Montessori education philosophy — a child-centered approach emphasizing self-directed learning and individualized instruction. Understanding these toys’ unique features can help you better realize their importance and purpose. Check out the following infographic to learn about the distinct attributes of Montessori toys. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Exploring the Pros and Cons of Montessori Education.
https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/pros_cons_montessori_education/ - Toy Safety.
https://www.seattlechildrens.org/health-safety/keeping-kids-healthy/prevention/toy-safety/
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