Montessori sorting

The Best Montessori Toys for Each Stage of Development

Montessori toys are designed to support children at each stage of their growth — from grasping their first object to mastering complex tasks. The key is to match the toy to your child’s developmental needs, not just their age.

In this guide, we break down the best Montessori toys by age range so you can confidently support your child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development.

Why Developmentally Appropriate Toys Matter

Montessori toys aren’t about entertaining your child — they’re about helping them build real skills. When toys align with your child’s current stage of development, they:

  • Encourage deeper engagement

  • Build independence and self-esteem

  • Foster focus and mastery

  • Avoid frustration or boredom

Montessori Toys by Age and Developmental Stage

👶 Infants (0–6 Months)

Focus: Sensory exploration, visual tracking, beginning motor control

Top Montessori Toys:

  • Black-and-white contrast cards

  • Wooden rattles

  • Hanging mobiles (Munari, Gobbi)

  • Soft cloth balls

🛒 Shop: Montessori Toys for Infants

👶 Older Infants (6–12 Months)

Focus: Grasping, cause and effect, object permanence

Top Montessori Toys:

  • Object permanence box

  • Interlocking discs

  • Ring stackers

  • Wooden treasure baskets with natural textures

🛒 Shop: Montessori Toys for 6–12 Months

👧 Toddlers (12–18 Months)

Focus: Fine motor development, gross motor exploration, early problem solving

Top Montessori Toys:

  • Coin box or shape sorter

  • Stacking cups or nesting blocks

  • Push toys

  • Simple peg puzzles

🛒 Shop: Montessori Toys for 1-Year-Olds

👧 Toddlers (18–24 Months)

Focus: Coordination, language explosion, early independence

Top Montessori Toys:

  • Lock and latch boards

  • Practical life tools (broom, dustpan, watering can)

  • Wooden animal puzzles

  • Threading beads with large holes

🛒 Shop: Montessori Toys for 18–24 Months

👦 Preschoolers (2–3 Years)

Focus: Imaginative play, refined motor skills, sequencing and categorization

Top Montessori Toys:

  • Screwdriver boards

  • Dressing frames (zippers, buttons)

  • Matching games (cards, objects)

  • Sandpaper letters and number boards

🛒 Shop: Montessori Toys for Preschoolers

How to Choose the Right Toy for Your Child

  • Observe what skills your child is working on (not just their age)

  • Choose one-skill-per-toy to reduce confusion and boost focus

  • Watch for sensitive periods (language, movement, order) — Montessori education is built around them

When to Rotate Toys

As a rule of thumb:

  • Rotate toys every 2–3 weeks

  • Watch for signs of mastery (your child uses it easily or loses interest)

  • Reintroduce toys periodically — mastery is not always linear

Montessori toys aren’t “one size fits all.” By matching each toy to your child’s stage of development, you’re empowering them to explore the world on their own terms — confidently, joyfully, and with purpose.

🔍 Want help choosing the right toy for your child’s stage? Browse our Montessori Toys by Age collection and make purposeful play easy!

Back to blog

Leave a comment