Discover the top Montessori toys for your one year old that will engage and support your little one’s development while keeping them entertained. From wooden blocks to sensory play kits, find the perfect gift here!
If you’re curious about the Montessori toys, you’ve come to the right place.
Montessori toys draw their inspiration from the Montessori method of education developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, and they excel in providing young children with the tools they need to explore and learn about the world independently through play.
As you may know, play is one of the most effective ways for children to absorb knowledge and skills.
Especially when you have an energetic one-year-old, selecting the right toys becomes an important task.
In this post, we’ll take a quick look at the world of Montessori toys tailored specifically for one-year-olds.
We’ll discuss the significance of choosing age-appropriate toys for your growing toddlers and share a handpicked list of our absolute favorite Montessori toys you can introduce into your home.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in and discover the wonders of the Montessori approach.
This post is all about the best Montessori toys for 1 year old babies and toddlers.
Montessori Toys for 1 Year Old
25 Best Montessori Toys For 1 Year Old
Each of the Montessori-aligned toys below promote various skills such as hands-on learning, independent play, problem-solving, fine motor skills, and child-led, self-paced exploration.
Our Top Picks:
Caterpillar Gear Puzzle
The caterpillar gear puzzle from Melissa and Doug became one of our daughter’s favorite toys.
She played with it nearly daily, from around 12 months to about two to three years old.
This toy features six colored gears, making it great for color recognition.
Additionally, it helps promote hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as your child figures out how to connect the pieces and turn them in tandem.
Recommended Age: 18 months+
Fat Brain Toys Spinny Pins
The Fat Brain Toy Spinny Pins are recommended for ages 18 months to three years old, and they quickly become a favorite of every child who visits our house.
I don’t know why. It’s a bit of a mystery, but for some reason, it’s just super fun for little kids.
This toy is fantastic for developing color recognition, with its five colored pins and matching spots, but it also encourages exploration.
Kids can experiment with how objects balance differently and try placing the pins into the toy in various ways.
Recommended Age: 18 months+
Wooden Shape Sorter Cube
The Montessori approach encourages a hands-on style of learning, and this wooden shape sorter toy does just that, introducing basic shapes and helping toddlers begin to recognize and match those shapes with the corresponding slots.
It also provides additional options for fitting the toys into the box beyond just using the designated shape slots.
This flexibility lends itself to open-ended play, allowing your child to decide how to engage with the toy.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Montessori Object Permanence Box
An object permanence toy is a classic Montessori teaching tool commonly found in Montessori schools and classrooms.
Object permanence is a foundational skill in early childhood development.
In this toy, kids drop a ball through a hole and then learn that it reappears, helping them understand cause and effect.
Recommended Age: 6 months+
Sensory Balls Set
Sensory toys are wonderful for engaging a toddler’s tactile and visual senses, aiding in their overall sensory regulation skills and awareness.
Montessori teachings strongly emphasize sensory exploration as a means for children to connect with and better understand their environment.
This specific set of sensory balls offers diverse textures and tactile experiences, allowing your child to learn and explore various sensory sensations.
Recommended Age: 6 months+
Wooden Stacking Rings
Fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities take center stage with this classic toy.
Your kids will practice hand-eye coordination as they stack wooden rings in the correct order.
Montessori values independence and self-directed learning, and this toy allows children to experiment and figure out the puzzle at their own pace.
Recommended Age: 18 months+
Wooden Stacking Rocks
If your one-year-old is already a pro at stacking rings and cups, you might try these stacking wooden rocks.
Unlike traditional stacking toys that go in one direction, these stones need to be carefully balanced on top of each other to stay upright. They encourage creative thinking and problem-solving skills, offering a bit of a challenge for your child.
What’s fantastic is that this toy can grow with them.
They might start by balancing just a couple of rocks, but as they age, they can build taller towers and continue developing their skills.
It can also become a fun family game to see who can make the tallest tower, providing plenty of options for enjoyable playtime together.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Lovevery Play Tunnel
Crafted from 100 percent organic cotton, this play tunnel from Lovevery makes for an excellent Montessori toy for one-year-olds.
It encourages the development of motor strength and various coordination skills while offering opportunities for open-ended creative play.
Parents rave about its quality and love that it provides hours of fun for their little ones.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Pikler Triangle
A Pikler triangle is an excellent climbing toy for kids.
We introduced one to our daughter when she was around 16 months old.
Initially, she could only climb a rung or two, but her progress was rapid.
This toy aligns beautifully with Montessori philosophy, allowing your kids to learn and conquer it at their own pace. Whether they feel comfortable with just a few rungs or aim higher, it’s all about independent exploration.
A Pikler triangle provides a safe way for them to develop climbing skills without going higher than they’re comfortable with.
Recommended Age: 2 +
[RELATED: 10 Best Toys For Climbing Toddlers That Will Save Your Sanity]
Nesting and Stacking Blocks
Nesting and stacking blocks provide plenty of opportunities for open-ended play and creativity.
They can be stacked, nested, or used to construct structures limited only by your little one’s imagination.
Recommended Age: 2+
Montessori Coin Box
A Montessori coin box is a simple toy, but don’t let that fool you.
This toy helps kids understand object permanence as coins disappear and reappear with the opening of a drawer.
The box is designed for fine motor skill development, and as kids grow, they can use it for sorting and counting activities, boosting their confidence and early math skills.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Step2 Water Table
A water table encourages sensory exploration, letting little ones feel and see how water works.
It also provides an early science lesson as they experiment and discover scientific concepts without even knowing it, like understanding gravity when they pour water.
Most importantly, it fosters open-ended play, allowing them to explore and have fun in their own way.
Recommended Age: 18 months+
LEGO Duplos
Duplos are fantastic Montessori toys for kids because they check off multiple boxes.
They encourage creativity, as kids can build various structures, help develop fine motor skills through stacking and connecting, and encourage problem-solving as your child works to bring their ideas to life.
They’re also open-ended, offering endless play possibilities.
My favorite thing about Duplos is how well they grow with your child.
Our daughter started loving them at one and a half, and she still enjoys them at nearly five years old. Their versatility ensures they remain enjoyable for years, making them a worthwhile investment.
Recommended Age: 18 months+
Wee Baby Stella
Wee Baby Stella is a hugely popular baby doll for the younger crowd, mainly because she’s made from incredibly soft fabric, making her perfect for hugging and cuddling.
A baby doll overall is an excellent Montessori toy for toddlers because it encourages the development of empathy, caregiving skills, and imaginative play.
It also fosters language development through conversations, enhances fine motor skills through activities like dressing and holding, and promotes social skills and responsibility.
Wee Baby Stella is an outstanding choice if you’re looking for an excellent first baby doll for your little one.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Balance Board
A balance board is a great Montessori toy for a 1-year-old.
Even though young toddlers might not stand and balance on it just yet, they can still use it by crawling, sitting, and exploring the board’s motion.
The beauty is that it grows with them as they get older, offering different ways to play and learn.
Montessori Wooden Puzzles
Montessori-inspired wooden puzzles are a great way for your 1-year-old to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities while providing a tactile and engaging experience.
As an added benefit, wooden puzzles are also durable and can be enjoyed for many years.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Montessori Color/Shape Sorting Box
A shape sorting board is fantastic for helping little ones learn shapes, develop color recognition, and boost hand-eye coordination.
It’s also an early introduction to math skills, as they must match shapes to the right number of pegs.
This toy will keep toddlers engaged as they work independently to figure out where everything fits.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Fat Brain Toys Dimpl
The Fat Brain Dimpl toy is a must-have if you have a one-year-old.
This small toy has silicone bubbles that can be pushed in both directions, and it’s fun for both babies and adults.
It was easily one of the most engaging toys for my daughter when she was younger.
It’s so simple, yet she loved pushing the bubbles and sometimes even chewing on it, adding an additional element to the sensory exploration possibilities of this toy.
Recommended Age: 6 months+
Montessori Tissue Box Toy
Little kids have a knack for pulling tissues, wipes, and more, making a mess all over.
This toy offers them the satisfaction of that activity without the floor turning into a wasteland.
It teaches them about emptying and filling containers and provides sensory exploration opportunities with various textures, sounds, and appearances as they pull out different items from the box.
Recommended Age: 6 months+
Boon Fleet Boat Baby Bath Toys
Our daughter has adored the Boon bath toys for years, and as parents, we appreciate how they offer numerous open-ended play possibilities, even during bath time.
They can be stacked, played with imaginatively, and even turned over to pour water.
Recommended Age: 10 months+
Wooden Shape Puzzles
A wooden shape puzzle with knob pieces aids in fine motor skill development as your little one works to manipulate and fit the pieces into the puzzle.
Additionally, it fosters shape recognition, helping them understand geometric shapes.
The knobs on the pieces also promote independent play, as they make it easier for your toddler’s little hands to hold the pieces on their own, reducing frustration and encouraging persistence.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Soft Stacking Blocks
Soft stacking blocks are great starter blocks for 1-year-olds.
We love them because they’re safe and squishy, which means you can let your little one explore and play without worrying about hard falls or loud crashes.
This block set is also great for promoting both gross and fine motor skills. Your child can practice squeezing them, stacking them up, and having a blast knocking them down.
Recommended Age: 6 months+
Wooden Rain Stick Rattle
A wooden rain stick rattle is all about sensory exploration.
As your kids tilt and shake it, they experience the soothing sound of rain falling.
It also encourages them to focus on the sounds they’re creating, which is terrific for auditory development.
Recommended Age: 6 months+
Hape Xylophone Toy
This xylophone toy is an absolute blast for 1-year-olds!
Toddlers can explore their creativity by tapping the colorful keys to create cheerful tunes or use the hammer to knock the balls down and see what happens.
It’s a fun playtime activity; it helps them to develop hand-eye coordination while also introducing them to the world of music, fostering an early appreciation for sound and rhythm.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Montessori Busy Book
Busy books are a fantastic toy to have when you’re on the go with your little one, whether it’s for traveling or dining out.
These books are typically brimming with captivating textures and other developmental activities that aim to keep your child entertained in a quiet and engaging manner.
Recommended Age: 12 months+
Fat Brain Toys – My Fixer Upper Tool Bus
This is undoubtedly one of the coolest walking toys I’ve come across.
But the “Fixer Upper Tool Bus” isn’t just a push toy; it’s also brimming with opportunities for pretend play, sparking creativity, and fostering various learning experiences.
It’s particularly well-suited for older one-year-olds approaching their second year, as it’s recommended for ages 2-4.
Recommended Age: 2+
Where to buy Montessori-inspired toys
There are several online stores where you can purchase Montessori toys for 1-year-olds. These retailers provide a variety of options for purchasing Montessori toys for 1-year-olds, catering to different preferences and needs. Here are some of the best options:
Amazon: Amazon is one of the largest and most popular places to buy Montessori toys. You can find tons of options from various brands and sellers, read customer reviews, and often benefit from fast shipping.
Fat Brain Toys: Fat Brain Toys is ideal for buying Montessori toys for 1-year-olds because they offer high quality educational toys that support sensory and cognitive development. Their toys are designed to be safe and durable and align with Montessori’s hands-on learning principles, making them perfect for toddlers’ explorative and self-directed play.
Etsy: Etsy is an online marketplace known for featuring handmade and unique Montessori toys created by independent artisans and small businesses. You can discover beautifully crafted wooden toys and educational materials that are often designed with great attention to detail.
Lovevery: Lovevery is a well-regarded brand that offers subscription-based play kits designed by child development experts. Their toys are Montessori-inspired and backed by research to ensure they support your child’s developmental milestones during their first years of life. Lovevery provides age-appropriate toys and play guidance to foster your child’s growth.
How to introduce Montessori toys to your 1-year-old
Introducing Montessori-friendly toys to your 1-year-old can be a rewarding experience.
Start by presenting these toys in a thoughtful and engaging manner. Begin with one toy at a time, allowing your child to explore its features and textures independently.
Observe your child closely to identify their interests and follow their lead. Montessori education values self-directed learning, so letting your child choose which toy to engage with fosters a sense of autonomy and curiosity.
Rotate toys regularly to keep their interest alive and provide fresh learning opportunities.
Create a Montessori-friendly play environment by keeping toys organized and accessible on low shelves, allowing your child to choose and return toys independently.
Minimize distractions and provide a clutter-free space to encourage focused exploration.
Remember that Montessori play is not about completing tasks but about the journey of discovery and learning at your child’s own pace, nurturing their natural sense of wonder and self-confidence.
[RELATED: Montessori Playroom | 6 Tips to Create an Educational Play Space for Your Kids]
Benefits of Montessori Toys for 1-Year-Olds
Montessori toys differ from regular toys due to their specific focus on providing educational and developmental benefits for children.
Any toy deemed a “Montessori toy” aligns with the Montessori philosophy, which strongly emphasizes independent play, hands-on learning, and fostering creativity.
For this reason, Montessori toys typically feature open-ended designs that allow children to explore and use them in multiple ways.
This adaptability means that a one-year-old might play with a toy entirely differently than an 18-month-old, demonstrating how these toys can grow alongside your child’s development.
The self-directed nature of Montessori play also aids in problem-solving skills, instilling a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence in kids as they engage with toys at their own pace.
Montessori toys’ many benefits make them an exceptional choice for children’s play and learning experiences.
Criteria for Choosing Montessori Toys
When selecting Montessori toys for 1-year-olds, consider these factors to ensure they provide the best learning and play experiences. Here are important considerations:
- Age-appropriateness and Safety: Ensure the Montessori toy you choose is suitable for a 1-year-old in size, complexity, and any small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Always prioritize safety and opt for toys made from non-toxic materials.
- Sensory Engagement: Look for toys that engage a child’s senses. Montessori toys often incorporate sensory elements like different textures, colors, and sounds to stimulate a child’s sensory development.
- Open-ended Play Opportunities: Toys with multiple uses or can be manipulated in various ways are ideal for fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
- Quality and Durability: Invest in well-made Montessori toys that will last many years. High-quality toys are not only safe but also offer long-lasting educational value.
- Diversity in Toy Selection: Choose a variety of Montessori toys that cover different aspects of development. This includes toys that promote fine motor skills (i.e., stacking toys), gross motor skills (i.e., push or pull toys), cognitive development (i.e., puzzles), and sensory exploration (i.e., textured balls).
- Natural Materials: Montessori toys often favor natural materials like wood and cloth over plastic. Toys made from these materials are eco-friendly and provide children with a tactile and sensory experience.
- Simplicity and Minimalism: Montessori principles often favor simplicity in design. Avoid toys with excessive lights, sounds, or complex features that may overstimulate or distract your child from independent exploration.
- Purposeful and Realistic: Montessori toys often mimic real-life objects and activities. Choose toys replicating everyday items (i.e., a play kitchen) or activities to encourage practical life skills and a connection to your child’s environment.
- Interest and Engagement: Pay attention to your child’s interests and preferences. Montessori toys should align with your child’s current developmental stage and captivate their curiosity.
- Rotation and Minimalism: Consider rotating Montessori toys to prevent overwhelm and encourage focused play. A minimalist approach to toy selection can help your kids concentrate and explore more deeply.
Of course, not every toy has to check every box, but considering these criteria, you can select Montessori toys that align with Montessori principles and provide a safe, engaging, and enriching play experience for your 1-year-old.
Concluding Thoughts
In wrapping up our Montessori toys post for 1-year-olds, remember that selecting the right toys can be an amazing way to nurture your child’s development.
Montessori toys encourage hands-on exploration, independence, and creativity – all essential growth skills for your little one. So, as you start this journey with your child, don’t forget to observe, engage, and adapt.
Let your child’s curiosity lead the way, and you’ll be amazed at their progress.
Check out our blog posts if you want more tips and ideas on Montessori play or related topics. Thanks!
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This post was all about Montessori toys for your 1 year old.
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