10 Best Montessori Toys for Children Under 1-Year-Old

If you are looking for toys that will stimulate your child’s curiosity, creativity, and independence, you might want to consider Montessori toys. Montessori's toys are based on the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori, who believed that children learn best through self-directed play and exploration. Montessori's toys are simple, natural, and realistic, and they encourage children to use their senses, imagination, and problem-solving skills.

In this blog post, we will share with you 10 of the best Montessori toys for children under 1-year-old, and why they are beneficial for your child’s development. These toys are suitable for babies from 6 months to 12 months old, and they cover various areas of learning such as fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language, math, and science.

10 Best Montessori Toys for Children Under 1-Year-Old

1. Wooden Stacking Blocks

Wooden stacking blocks are classic Montessori toys that help your child develop hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and logical thinking. They also introduce your child to basic concepts such as shapes, colors, and sizes. Wooden stacking blocks are versatile and can be used in many ways, such as building towers, sorting by attributes, or creating patterns. One of the best wooden stacking blocks sets we recommend is the Plan Toys 50 Block Set¹, which is made of 100% wood and includes blocks in 11 different shapes.

1. Sensory Balls

Sensory balls are great Montessori toys for babies who are learning to explore their senses and their environment. Sensory balls are soft, textured, and colorful, and they provide tactile, visual, and auditory stimulation. They also encourage your child to practice their gross motor skills such as kicking, rolling, tossing, and crawling. Sensory balls can also be used for playing peekaboo, which helps your child learn about object permanence. One of the best sensory balls sets we recommend is the Edushape See-Me 4-Inch Sensory Balls², which are durable, easy to grip, and come in four bright colors.

1. Object Permanence Box

Object permanence is the understanding that objects exist even when they are out of sight. This is an important cognitive skill that develops around 6 to 8 months of age. An object permanence box is a Montessori toy that helps your child practice this skill by dropping a ball into a hole and watching it reappear in a tray. This toy also helps your child develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. One of the best object permanence boxes we recommend is the Elite Montessori Object Permanence Box³, which is made of wood and comes with a wooden ball.

1. Rainbow Stacker

A rainbow stacker is a Montessori toy that helps your child learn about colors, shapes, and sizes. It also helps your child develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and creativity. A rainbow stacker consists of wooden arches that can be stacked on top of each other or used in various ways to create different structures or scenes. A rainbow stacker also encourages open-ended play and imagination. One of the best rainbow stackers we recommend is the wooden Montessori pyramid⁴, which is made of wood and painted with non-toxic colors.

1. Wooden Balance Board

A wooden balance board is a Montessori toy that helps your child develop gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and confidence. It also helps your child exercise their muscles and burn off some energy. A wooden balance board can be used in many ways, such as rocking, spinning, sliding, or standing on it. It can also be used as a bridge, a ramp, a tunnel, or a seat for other toys or books. A wooden balance board is versatile and fun for children of all ages. One of the best wooden balance boards we recommend is the Wooden Balance Board, which is made of wood and has a smooth surface.

1. Magnetic Blocks

Magnetic blocks are Montessori toys that help your child learn about shapes, colors, and magnets. They also help your child develop fine motor skills, logical thinking, and creativity. Magnetic blocks are easy to use and can be combined in many ways to create different structures or designs. Magnetic blocks also encourage open-ended play and imagination. One of the best magnetic blocks sets we recommend is the Tegu Block Set, which is made of wood and has magnets embedded inside.

1. Balance Stepping Stones

Balance stepping stones are Montessori toys that help your child develop gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and confidence. They also help your child exercise their muscles and burn off some energy. Balance stepping stones consist of plastic stones that can be arranged in different patterns or heights to create a challenging or fun obstacle course. Balance stepping stones also encourage outdoor play and exploration. One of the best balance stepping stones sets we recommend is the Sunny & Fun Balance Stepping Stones, which are durable, non-slip, and come in six bright colors.

1. Play Kits

Play kits are Montessori toys that are curated to match your child’s age and developmental stage. They include a variety of toys that cover different areas of learning such as fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language, math, and science. Play kits also include a guide that explains how to use the toys and why they are beneficial for your child’s development. Play kits are convenient and cost-effective, as they save you time and money from searching for individual toys. One of the best play kits we recommend is the Busy board, which are delivered to your door every two or three months.

1. Musical Instrument Set

A musical instrument set is a Montessori toy that helps your child learn about sounds, rhythms, and melodies. It also helps your child develop auditory, visual, and tactile skills, as well as creativity and self-expression. A musical instrument set can be used in many ways, such as playing along with songs, making up tunes, or exploring different sounds. A musical instrument set also encourages social and emotional skills, such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperating. One of the best musical instrument sets we recommend is the Xylophone for Kids, which includes a xylophone, a tambourine, a maraca, and a clapper.

1. Wooden Puzzle

A wooden puzzle is a Montessori toy that helps your child learn about shapes, colors, and patterns. It also helps your child develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration. A wooden puzzle can be used in many ways, such as matching, sorting, or creating pictures. A wooden puzzle also encourages cognitive skills, such as memory, logic, and problem-solving. One of the best wooden puzzles we recommend is the Personalized Wooden Puzzle, which includes three puzzles with farm animals, pets, and sea creatures.

Conclusion

Montessori's toys are simple, natural, and realistic toys that help your child learn and grow through self-directed play and exploration. They cover various areas of learning such as fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language, math, and science. They also encourage your child to use their senses, imagination, and problem-solving skills.