Below is a list of Montessori-inspired toys to consider for your infant, toddler or primary-aged children this holiday season. Also included are book ideas for all ages.
Nido
- Hopping Rabbit: Infants love pulling toys around the room and will enjoy watching the rabbit hop up and down as he moves.
- Mobile: This beautifully designed sheep mobile is pleasing to the eye and a great stimulus to your child’s imagination.
- Object Permanence Box: As a child drops the ball into the box into this fine motor exercise, he sees that the ball does not just disappear and feels a sense of accomplishment, too!
- Sound Blocks: This colorful, natural wood box features six transparent shapes with different sounds.
- Pop-up Toy: Introduce color awareness and matching with these peg figures.
Toddler
- Marble Runner: Building and rebuilding endless loops with this classic marble runner is ideal for spatial awareness for children of any age.
- Balance Bike: This foot-powered rider is stable and easy to use while developing muscle strength and improving balance.
- Puzzle: There are so many puzzle options! Keep the shape and colors simple and clean, like this knobbed circle sorter.
- Cone Sorting: Children will love the color and design of this rocket puzzle for tactile learning.
- Lock Box: Perfect for early development and shape recognition.
Children’s House
- Hilltop Climbers: Your child can stack and climb from different heights.
- Flower Press: The aspiring botanist can collect flowers and leaves and then dry them with this beautiful French flower press.
- Fort clips: Add blankets to this holiday gift of cherrywood fort clips that fit nicely into small hands while still having a strong grip.
- Body Puzzle: Help your preschooler understand the body and learn about different body parts with this beautiful play magnet from Janod.
- Pocket Microscope: Explore with your family using this compact microscope that includes a light for subject identification.
Books
- Blue and Other Colors
- Shapes and Other Shapes
- My First Book of Patterns
- Montessori: Number Work
- Montessori: Letter Work
- Pantone Colors
- Art for Baby
- Maps
- We Found a Hat
- Me: A Compendium
Recommended for you:
The Absorbent Mind
Topics: Ages 0-3, Ages 3-6, Ages 6-9, Early Learning
For Toddlers: Books About Spring
Topics: Ages 0-3, Ages 3-6, Early Learning, Language & Literacy
Ms. Wood on Traveling with Kids
Topics: Ages 0-3, Ages 3-6, Ages 6-9, Behavior, Family Life
Help Allay First Day Jitters
Topics: Ages 3-6, Ages 6-9, Behavior, Family Life
My Child’s Role in the Kitchen
Topics: Ages 0-3, Ages 3-6, Ages 6-9, Cooking, Early Learning, Montessori
Designing for Children: Playscapes
Topics: Ages 0-3, Ages 3-6, Ages 6-9, Family Life
Do We Shame Our Children?
Topics: Ages 0-3, Ages 3-6, Ages 6-9, Behavior, Family Life