In the wider world, toys marketed as “Montessori” or “Montessori-inspired” are often accompanied by expectations that they are beige or boring; the antithesis of the loud, neon-hued toys demanding your child’s attention in a toy store.
But the truth is, Montessori toys can be just as bright and engaging. Moreover, just because something is made of wood, doesn’t mean it’s earned the Montessori stamp of approval.
What makes a good Montessori toy?
To understand what makes a toy aligned with the Montessori philosophy, it’s always a good idea to start from the source. Here’s what Dr. Maria Montessori had to say about children’s toys:
We are completely on the wrong track when we believe that expensive toys should keep a child happy, or that the child who has a nanny to do everything for him is particularly fortunate. In reality it is the child of the busy [parent], who is left to try and do things for himself, left to improvise toys from simple things and use his own ingenuity, who is fortunate. … [C]hildren with cupboards full of toys are often bored and naughty, while the child who is left alone takes pleasure in very simple things and is happily absorbed for hours at a time in work of his own choosing.
Dr. Montessori makes no mention of toys needing to be bland. Instead, she focuses on three core principles:
- Independence
- Imagination
- Ingenuity
Passive toys (like gaming consoles, mobile games, or other screen-dominant forms of entertainment), or a vast quantity of toys, are far more overstimulating to the young child than something colorful, or even noisy. Simpler toys that encourage self-directed, improvisational play spark creativity and focus.
Another quality that makes a good Montessori toy is cohesion with the adult world. In The Secret of Childhood, Dr. Montessori writes, “A child is an eager observer and is particularly attracted by the actions of the adults and wants to imitate them.” Toys that simulate or promote practical, reality-based tasks are a great option for children curious about adult activity.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the toys we feel best meet this criteria for children of all ages.
A Montessori Guide to Toys
The following guide is designed to showcase a small selection of simple toys that we feel instill independence, imagination, and ingenuity in children.
Montessori Toys for Young Children (3 and under)
- Practical, adult activity often leads to focused, independent play
- Builds core strength and fine motor skills
Balls in Cups Starter Set (Ulanik)
- Develops visual, sensory, memory, and fine motor skills
- Can be used by the child in many different ways, encouraging ingenuity and imagination
Busy Board (Montessori Generation)
- Helps develop hand-eye coordination, patience, and attention
- Builds muscle memory and finger dexterity
Peek-a-Zoo Puzzle Box (Kiwi Co)
- Matching helps build memory
- Using keys to unlock the boxes helps develop fine motor skills
Montessori Toys for Primary Children (3-6 years old)
Little Chef Kids Cooking and Baking Set (WeeSprout)
- Develops practical and fine motor skills
- Instills an interest in cooking and baking
Felt Garden Kids Playset (Crate and Barrel)
- Reality-based activity that leaves plenty of space for imaginative play
- Encourages ingenuity and creativity
- Cultivates engineering and problem-solving skills
- Perfect for indoor nature watching or outdoor adventure
- Develops visual skills, patience, and attention to detail
For even more toy ideas for young children, check out For Small Hands, an online retailer that sells appropriately sized, fully functioning, authentic, practical life tools and activities. Children enjoy and feel empowered when their work is purposeful and they can exercise agency within their home environment as they do in their classrooms. This site offers various items at different price points and is a favorite among many Montessori teachers and families.
Montessori Toys for Lower Elementary Children (6-9 years old)
Pizza Bake Kit (William Sonoma)
- Functional cooking tools lead to purposeful play with a product they can eat
- The endless creative possibilities lead to independent, imaginative play
- Play that involves trial-and-error builds resilience and problem-solving skills
- Sparks creativity and encourages an interest in storytelling
- Can be enjoyed alone or with a group
Marble Run Building Blocks (Picasso Tiles)
- Intuitive, customizable construction is ideal for self-directed play
- Teaches children about engineering and physics
Montessori Toys for Upper Elementary Children (9-12 years old)
Art-chitect Architecture Set (MindWare)
- A realistic, creative, and engaging introduction to architecture and design
- Deepens critical thinking, math, and physics skills
The Woobles Beginner Crochet Amigurumi Kits (Blick)
- Helps with focus, concentration, and attention to detail
- The adorable result provides a sense of accomplishment
Kanoodle Puzzle Game (Educational Insights)
- A fun way to develop critical thinking and spatial reasoning skills
- Portable and perfect for on-the-go activity
Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit (Blue Marble)
- Fosters a love of geology
- Emphasizes the importance of the scientific method and the value of patience
Montessori Activities for Middle Schoolers (12-15 years old)
- The perfect activity for budding chefs, farmers, or biologists
- Cultivate patience, along with delicious greens
- A craft kit befitting every book lover
- Requires focus, process, and commitment
Carson Pocket Microscope (Walmart)
- Easily portable for on-the-go exploration
- An immersive, logic-driven strategy game
- Gameplay variation allows for solo play
WMS x Bookshop
When in doubt, give the gift of reading!
Reading is not only a powerful tool for developing empathy, driving connection, and forging identity, it also plays a critical role in developing academic skills. But for many children, it takes the right book to ignite the reading spark.
To help find books that resonate with your child, we have partnered with Bookshop to curate a library of age-appropriate book lists, including Picture Books, Middle Grade Reads, and Young Adult Reads. We have also highlighted titles celebrating diversity, peace, and social justice, making it easy to find meaningful stories that reflect a wide range of experiences and perspectives.
Bookshop is an online book marketplace designed to support independent bookstores, and for every title purchased from one of our lists, WMS receives a small commission — so you’re not just supporting small booksellers, you’re also supporting the school!
