I first discovered the Montessori method of education during one of my college classes. We got to visit a Montessori preschool, and I loved the calm atmosphere, attention to detail, and self-directed approach. When I became a mom, I had a desire to implement Montessori practices with my own children. Here are 10 of my favorite affordable Montessori toys that I have used with my own babies during year one and beyond!
This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I would use myself. I hope that these resources are beneficial to you on your journey.
What is the Montessori Method
The Montessori method is an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator, in the early 20th century. It is based on the idea that children are naturally eager to learn and that the role of education is to nurture and guide this innate curiosity.
The key principles of the Montessori method include: child-centered learning, a prepared environment, self-directed activity, mixed age groups, uninterrupted work periods, teacher as the guide, learning through the senses, and freedom within limits.
You can learn more about the Montessori method and each of these key principles in this book. It also has a lot of affordable Montessori toys for each age.
Benefits of the Montessori Approach for Babies
There are countless benefits to implementing the Montessori approach from a young age. Some of the benefits include that this method promotes independence, sensory exploration, a natural developmental pace, and order and routine. It also encourages respect for the child, language development, fine and gross motor skills development, and a focus on real-life activities.
Through my own research and experience, I think that children thrive in an environment that has less. Countless toys can be overstimulating and overwhelming. Choosing a few intentional, developmentally appropriate toys encourages creative, open-ended play.
Age Recommendations for these Affordable Montessori Toys
I have provided general age recommendations, but the Montessori approach encourages observing your child as an individual. Children develop at their own pace. Some kids may be ready for some of these toys sooner or later than others, and that is perfectly okay!
Note: Some of these toys are similar but not exactly the same as the ones that I used. I tried to link very similar products when I was unable to find the exact match.
My Top 10 Affordable Montessori Toy Recommendations for Babies Under a Year Old
These Affordable Montessori toys were some of our most-used pieces with my daughter during her first year! Although they can be introduced in the first year, these toys will be cherished well beyond that timeframe! My 3-year-old son still enjoys playing with many of them!
1. Mirror
Recommended Introduction Age: 0-3 months
For this toy, we purchased a shatter-proof mirror that could be attached to the wall. It is recommended to use it horizontally when a child is young so that they can see their entire body and get familiar with the movements it makes. As the child learns to stand, the mirror can be switched to a vertical direction.
Infants engage in visual exploration, honing their ability to focus and track movements as they observe their own reflections. As children grow, the mirror becomes a valuable aid in developing self-awareness and promoting a positive self-image.
Moreover, the mirror can be a versatile tool for language development as children name and describe the reflections they see, enhancing both cognitive and linguistic skills. Overall, the Montessori mirror goes beyond its reflective surface, becoming a gateway to cognitive, emotional, and linguistic growth.
2. Wooden Rattle
Recommended Introduction Age: 3-6 months
This simple toy is a great tool to teach babies how to grasp an object.
It also provides a multi-sensory experience. Babies can hear the sound as they shake the rattle. If you purchase a non-toxic rattle, they can also chew on it to relieve teething pains.
Both of my babies loved using their rattles during tummy time.
3. Egg in Cup
Recommended Introduction Age: 6-9 months
The Montessori egg in cup activity is a simple yet impactful exercise that fosters multiple developmental benefits in young children. It is exactly what it sounds like—a wooden egg and a cup.
This simple toy encourages young children to work on their fine motor skills, developing precision and coordination through repetitive practice. It also encourages cognitive development through problem-solving and spacial awareness.
Moreover, the process instills a sense of accomplishment and independence, aligning with Montessori principles that prioritize self-directed learning and individualized progress.
4. Ball Basket
Recommended Introduction Age: 6-9 months
This toy is exactly what it sounds like. A basket with various balls in it! I opted for natural, rubber balls because I wanted a safer alternative than plastic because I knew my babies would like to chew on the balls. You could also use soft, crocheted balls to introduce your baby to different textures.
As children grasp and release the balls, they refine their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The activity encourages sensory exploration as they engage with different textures and sizes of balls, fostering a tactile understanding of their environment.
The repetitive action of placing balls into the basket promotes cognitive development through pattern recognition and spatial awareness. Additionally, the ball basket enhances concentration and focus, providing a foundation for attention skills. The self-directed nature of the activity empowers children to make independent choices, reinforcing the Montessori principles of fostering autonomy and a love for learning.
Get the balls here and the basket here.
5. Shape Knob Puzzle
Recommended Introduction Age: 6-9 months
There are a lot of different Montessori puzzles on the market, but I love this one due to the simplicity and how it teaches multiple skills in one.
You can teach your child colors, shapes, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination all in one toy!
6. Spinning Drum
Recommended Introduction Age: 6-9 months
This toy is a spinning, wooden toy that has a lot of colors, textures, and a mirror. It can be used during tummy time before a baby can sit—helping the baby develop strength and coordination.
Spinning the drum also improves hands-eye coordination. The drum is filled with bells the make a sound when moved, providing a sensory experience for the child. The rhythmic sounds foster an appreciation for different tones and rhythms.
This interactive experience not only stimulates cognitive development but also encourages concentration and focus as children explore the cause-and-effect relationship between their actions and the drum’s response.
7. Stacker Toy
Recommended Introduction Age: 9-12 months
There are a lot of variations of the Montessori Stacker Toy. My family has two—a handmade, natural wood set from Etsy, and a colorful one from Amazon. The handmade one has larger rings and the colorful one has smaller ones. I like having the option of both for focusing on a similar task that is slightly different. The colorful stacker is also a great opportunity to teach about colors.
This is also a toy that grows with your child. As babies, children will simply practice putting the rings on the peg. As they get older, they can arrange the rings from largest to smallest. The process of arranging the pieces in a specific order also nurtures cognitive skills, fostering spatial awareness, logical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Beyond the cognitive and motor benefits, the Montessori stacker encourages creativity and imagination, as children explore different ways to assemble the pieces.
8. Montessori Size Discrimination Peg Toy
Recommended Introduction Age: 8-12 months
This handmade, heirloom toy builds upon the egg in a cup toy. It teaches your child not only how to put an object back in place but also how to put it in the correct sized slot.
This is a simple toy that will challenge your child’s thinking. Each cylinder is made from a different type of natural wood to help your child think about the difference in size.
9. Object Permanence Box
Recommended Introduction Age: 9-12 months
This toy is a wooden box with a hole cut in the top. The box attaches to a tray and usually comes with three different balls. The balls may differ in color and or texture.
This toy teaches the concept of object permanence… even if something disappears behind something else, it still exists.
I used this with my baby when she started dealing with separation anxiety.
The Montessori object permanence box serves as a vital developmental tool, fostering the understanding of object permanence in young children. Through the repetitive yet engaging activity of dropping and retrieving objects, children not only grasp the concept that items continue to exist when out of sight but also hone their cognitive skills, including memory and anticipation.
The hands-on interaction with the box contributes to the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, while the predictable cause-and-effect nature of the task instills an early understanding of these foundational principles.
Moreover, the activity encourages focus, concentration, and patience, promoting the development of attention and self-regulation. As children independently interact with the object permanence box, they gain spatial awareness, language skills through caregiver interactions, and a sense of accomplishment, aligning with the overarching Montessori philosophy of fostering holistic and self-directed learning experiences.
10. Coin Box
Recommended Introduction Age: 9-12 months
This toy is typically a wooden box with a drawer. The top of the box has a slot. It comes with several large, wooden Coys—typically in the primary colors red, yellow, and blue.
As children engage in the task of inserting coins through specific slots, they refine their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The activity introduces fundamental concepts of numeracy and mathematical understanding such as counting or organizing by color.
The repetition involved in the task promotes cognitive development and memory recall, contributing to a foundational understanding of basic arithmetic.
Moreover, the coin box instills a sense of order and organization as children learn to match coins with corresponding slots, aligning with the Montessori emphasis on creating purposeful and structured learning experiences.
Other Helpful Montessori Resources
Here are some more resources if you are wanting to implement Montessori at home with your baby or toddler. I also wrote this post about affordable Montessori ideas for toddlers.
Montessori Book Recommendations
If you want to learn more about implementing Montessori Methods at home with your children, I highly recommend these books. The Montessori Baby and The Montessori Toddler have practical, affordable, hands-on ideas to implement with your child at home.
Affordable Montessori Toys: LoveEvery Kits
I personally have not used Love Every Kits, but I have several friends who have! Love Every is a toy subscription that sends developmentally appropriate toys right to your home every few months. These toys are open-ended and research based. If you don’t have time to shop for individual toys, LoveEvery is a great option for affordable Montessori toys!
Purchasing a toy subscription can save you money over time. Additionally, it reduces the mental load of researching and buying developmentally appropriate toys every few months.
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