The Montessori approach to education focuses on simplicity. That includes when it comes to toys! If you’re searching for beautiful, simple and well-made toys that will stimulate your little learner, you don’t have to spend a bundle. You can find all of these Montessori toys on Amazon!
Our kids crave simplicity. Playrooms that are cluttered and full of noisy, blinking toys can be overstimulating. I know if you’re like me, you know how easy it is to add more toys and just stuff what you have into the toy box. All of a sudden it feels like the toys are bursting out of every room!
Quality and quantity of toys matter when it comes to the Montessori approach to learning. By being mindful in the types of toys you give your kids, you can help set them up for success!
Note: Some links may be affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! I only recommend products that I personally love and believe in. Full disclaimer here.
What Is the Montessori Method?
The Montessori Method encourages children to learn by exploring the world around them through play. Play lets them develop their imagination, learn more about their surroundings and make sense of the world around them.
“The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood.
It is an approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive.”
What is a Montessori Toy?
A toy is considered Montessori-friendly if it supports the same educational philosophies as the Montessori approach. At their most basic, a Montessori toy is simple. When children are surrounded by toys with too many noises, colors and parts, they might feel overwhelmed.
Montessori toys should be ones that stimulates learning by encouraging children to experiment. The toy should give them the opportunity to use their creativity and play independently at their own pace. It should also be a toy they can hold and touch, to assist in developing fine motor skills.
Quality and quantity of toys matter when it comes to the Montessori approach to learning. By being mindful in the types of toys you give your kids, you can help set them up for success!
This list of toys are some of the best Montessori toys on Amazon (and most are available with Amazon Prime). Read on for the perfect additions to bring beauty and simplicity to your child’s play area.
Note: Some links may be affiliate links. That means I may make a commission if you use my links to purchase, at no extra added cost to you! I only recommend products that I personally love and believe in. Full disclaimer here.
The 10 Best Montessori Toys on Amazon
1. Montessori Phonetic Reading Blocks
These hands on letter blocks are perfect for early learners. Twist a block and easily create different rhyming words, allowing your child to blend sounds into words.
SHOP>> Get these classic letter blocks here.
2. Sandpaper Letter Card Set
If you’re not familiar with these, sandpaper letter cards allow your child to trace each letter with his finger for extra sensory stimulation. Your little one will be so excited to work with these cards and learn his letters, as they “feel cool” each time!
SHOP>> Find these sandpaper letter cards here.
3. Life Skills Fine Motor Boards (aka “Busy Board”)
One thing I truly love about the Montessori approach is the focus on promoting life skills and independence from an early age. This colorful fine motor board (or busy board) will help your little one learn multiple fine motor skills involved in dressing himself, encouraging independence and confidence!
SHOP>> Grab this toddler busy board here.
4. Wooden Rainbow Stacking Set
Great for developing early education, color recognition, counting and hand-eye coordination, this colorful set also sparks creativity and imagination.
There’s a reason rainbow stackers are one of the best Montessori toys on Amazon and a favorite of so many parents: they offer so many opportunities for imaginative play, and is a toy that can grow with your child for years to come!
SHOP>> Order the wooden rainbow stacking set here.
And here are some more rainbow stackers to check out, too:
Related: Looking for Montessori toddler bed inspiration? How about building your own? Learn more and read the DIY tutorial for our DIY Montessori House Bed!
5. Rainbow Counting Bears and Cups
This classic counting set comes with rainbow colored sorted cups and matching bears, and is perfect for teaching colors and numbers! This set remains one of the best Montessori toys on amazon, as it can create so many different opportunities for play.
SHOP>> Grab the Montessori counting bear set here
6. Wooden Geometric Puzzles
Many Montessori toys are meant to grow with your child, and these wooden puzzles are no exception. Your little learner can learn basic shapes now, and practice math with them later!
SHOP>> Check out these beautiful wooden geometric puzzles here!
7. Jumbo Wooden ABC Lacing Beads
These jumbo wooden classic ABC lacing beads allow your child to match by color, make up words, stack the letters and more.
SHOP>> Find these colorful lacing beads here.
8. Melissa & Doug Dust, Sweep, Mop Play Set
True story: my 2 year old is OBSESSED with this play set, and he loves to help clean up using it! This great and simple cleaning set helps teach your little one about cleaning up after himself, building independence and a sense of personal responsibility.
SHOP>> Order your cleaning set here.
9. Wooden Music Set
Kids instinctively love music, and creating their own helps to stimulate learning in new and fun ways. Musical instruments are also fantastic for family time when you have “band practice.” By spending time together, your little learner develops collaborative and problem solving skills, making them a confident, valuable team player as they progress in life.
SHOP>> Find this great musical instrument set here.
Looking for even more music toys for your little one? Check out a few more options below:
10. Wooden Sensory Bin Tools
These wooden tools are the perfect size for little hands and are perfect for your sensory bin play and exploration.
SHOP>> Order this set of sensory bin tools here.
These are my favorite finds and some of the best Montessori toys on Amazon! Which one does your little learner love the most?
Related: 9 of the Best Montessori Toys for a 6 Month Old Baby
Kristin says
We had a wooden musical set like that when my kids were younger and loved it. My two got a lot of use (and noise!) out of that kit.
Siobhan says
My boys love having “band practice” with them! It’s such a fantastic set.
Megan says
These are such great picks! I have a few kids and a bunch of toys…and its always the “simple” ones they come back to over and over!
Siobhan says
It truly is!
Lisa says
I love those counting bears. They are so cute and there are so many things you can do with them.
Siobhan says
Aren’t they great? We are using them now for learning colors!
Sydney Delong says
Love these ideas! I have a couple of those toys picked out for Christmas presents!
Siobhan says
I’m so glad! Montessori style toys are fantastic gift ideas; they truly grow with little ones so much longer than some of the other toys out there.
Holly says
Great list of educational toys we have the bears. We “play” so many games with these!
Siobhan says
I know so many people who love the counting bears too! They’re so great for so many activities.
Ashley says
I’m in this stage of life so I loved the recommendations! Saving for later as baby grows, too.
Siobhan says
I’m so glad I was able to help!
Alice says
These toys look awesome. I noticed none are electronic
Siobhan says
Hi Alice! That’s part of the appeal of Montessori-style toys; they allow little ones to use their imaginations and utilize the toys for so many different games and stages as they grow!