Montessori toys and materials are thoughtfully designed to support a child’s natural development at each stage of growth. Below are some suggestions for different age groups, along with key developmental considerations.

Most quality Montessori-inspired toys include age recommendations, but these should be used as a general guide. Always consider your child’s individual development and ensure materials are safe—especially when it comes to small parts and young children.

When choosing toys, quality matters. Natural materials, especially wooden toys, are often more durable and provide a richer sensory experience than plastic alternatives. However, they can be more challenging to clean. As Lillard and Jessen note in Montessori From the Start (2003):

“Your only purpose is to give a key to your child for discovering his world.”

Montessori materials act as that key—they support a child’s understanding of the real world, help them recognize patterns and order, and empower them to make sense of their environment.

In this way, carefully chosen toys and materials become more than just playthings—they become a gift of discovery.

Montessori Toys / Materials Overview

Children Birth to 6 months

At this age, children are interested in exploring the senses of sight, sound and touch.  

Children 6-12 months

At this age, children are interested in mobility, crawling, learning to walk. Safety is important as objects are still being mouthed. 

Children 12 to 18 months

Children this age are curious about how things work and still put most things in their mouth. Mobility, coordination and manipulative skills are still developing.

Children 18 to 24 months

Children are learning to control events and organize the world, they have little sense of danger. Mostly, they cannot share. They want to imitate you, yet are still becoming independent.

Children 2-3 years

More imitation of adult behavior and exploration of the adult world. Children enjoy manipulating objects, express their own personality and test everything. 

Montessori Toys / Materials: Birth to 18 months

• Soft toys
• Things with bright contrasting colors
• Rattles (wooden or silver)
• Mobiles (that catch children’s attention/ reflective)
• Squeaky toys
• Music boxes
• Balls (of various sizes and textures)
• Knock down toys
• Blocks
• Bath and pouring toys
• Simple wooden musical instruments
• Push or pull toys
• Spinning top
• Drop boxes
• Stacking toys
• Rings and bases
• Board books

Montessori Toys / Materials: 18 months to 3 years

• Posting toys
• Wooden jigsaws
• Blocks
• Sandpit toys
• Hammer and pegs
• Wooden animals
• Rocking horse
• Crayons, colored pens
• Paints, easel board
• Simple musical instruments
• Household objects (real, child sized)
• Moving toys (such as trucks)
• Large threading beads
• Bean bags
• Wheelbarrow or a wagon
• Interlocking blocks
• Doll equipment and clothing
• Large cartons and boxes
• Play dough
• Realistic animals (farm or zoo)
• Child sized cleaning apparatus (mops, brooms, gardening tools)
• Simple story books