What Are the Best Montessori Toys for Each Developmental Stage?

You want to buy Montessori toys for your child, but you’re lost. With so many options labeled "Montessori," you worry about choosing the wrong one for your child’s age.

The best Montessori toys match your child’s developmental stage perfectly. They are simple, purposeful tools made from natural materials that encourage independent exploration and build specific skills.

As a manufacturer, I work with toy designs every day. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that a toy’s success depends entirely on how well it matches a child’s current abilities. A toy that is too hard creates frustration, and one that is too easy creates boredom. Parents and professional buyers I work with, like Sophia from a major European brand, all want the same thing: toys that truly help a child learn and grow. The key is to see them not as entertainment, but as tools for development. Let’s break down exactly which tools are best for each important stage.

What makes a toy a Montessori toy?

You see the word "Montessori" on so many toy boxes. You’re not sure if it is just a marketing buzzword or if it means something specific.

A toy is Montessori if it is simple, based in reality, and made from natural materials. It must isolate a single skill and allow the child to identify their own mistakes.

Parents often ask me what the "rules" are for a toy to be considered Montessori. There is no official certification, but there are clear principles that guide the design. From a product development perspective, these are the non-negotiable features. A true Montessori toy is a tool for work, not a distraction. It should be beautiful and engaging to draw the child in, but its core purpose is always to help them master a skill. This philosophy is about empowering the child to learn by doing, and the materials are the instruments that make this possible.

Montessori Toy Principle	What It Means
Based in Reality	The toy represents something real (e.g., animal figurines, not cartoon dragons).
Natural Materials	It uses wood, metal, fabric, or glass to provide rich sensory feedback.
Isolates One Skill	The toy teaches a single concept, like size or shape, without other distractions.
Allows Self-Correction	The design allows the child to see their own errors without adult help.

Are Montessori toys always wooden?

You notice that almost all Montessori toys are made of wood. This makes you wonder if a toy made from plastic or fabric can still be considered Montessori.

No, but they are almost always made from natural materials. Wood is the most common material because of its weight, texture, and durability. But metal, fabric, and glass are also used.

As a wood product manufacturer, I am obviously a big fan of wood. It provides incredible sensory feedback. The weight of a solid beechwood block feels substantial in a child’s hands in a way that hollow plastic never can. Its temperature, smooth finish, and the sound it makes when it connects with another block are all valuable pieces of sensory information. However, the core principle is not "wood-only," it’s "natural materials." The goal is to connect the child to the real world. That is why you will see Montessori materials like metal bells, which teach about sound, or soft fabric balls for a baby, which teach about texture. Even a life-like baby doll fits the philosophy, as it allows a child to practice empathy and care in a realistic way. The material should always serve the purpose of the activity.

What are the best Montessori toys for a newborn (0+ months)?

It’s hard to imagine what a brand new baby needs for toys. You want to provide something stimulating but worry about overwhelming their delicate, developing senses.

For a newborn, focus on simple sensory development, especially sight. High-contrast mobiles and cards, along with simple wooden rattles, are perfect for this very early stage of life.

A newborn’s world is just beginning to come into focus. Their vision is still developing, which is why they are most receptive to simple, high-contrast images. Their physical abilities are limited to instinctual reflexes, like grasping something placed in their palm. The toys for this age are designed to meet them exactly where they are, providing gentle stimulation without being overwhelming. The goal is not "play" in the active sense, but rather to provide interesting things to look at and, eventually, to begin interacting with. We manufacture our newborn rattles to be lightweight and slender, so a baby’s tiny hand can successfully grasp it, giving them one of their first experiences of cause and effect.

Toy for 0+ Months	Developmental Purpose
Black & White Mobiles/Books	Stimulates developing vision with high-contrast images.
Montessori Play Gym	Encourages reaching, tracking objects with eyes, and batting.
Wooden Rattle	Develops grasping reflex and introduces cause and effect.
Soft Balls	Provides a safe object with varied textures for sensory exploration.

What are the best Montessori toys for an infant (6+ months)?

Your baby is now sitting up, reaching, and exploring with their hands and mouth. Those simple newborn toys are no longer keeping their attention.

At six months, you should introduce toys that teach object permanence and encourage intentional movement. The Object Permanence Box is the classic, essential toy for this critical stage.

This is an exciting stage where a baby moves from reflex to intention. They are starting to understand that their actions can make things happen. The single most important cognitive leap at this age is understanding "object permanence"—the idea that things still exist even when you can’t see them. This is why a game of peek-a-boo is so fascinating to them. The Object Permanence Box is a brilliant material that allows a baby to explore this concept on their own. They drop a ball in a hole, it disappears, and then it magically reappears in the tray. This simple, repeatable action builds concentration and confirms a fundamental law of the physical world. It’s a perfect example of a toy that is also a profound scientific experiment for a baby.

Toy for 6+ Months	Developmental Purpose
Textured Balls	Encourages exploration with hands and mouth, develops sensory awareness.
Object Permanence Box	Teaches that objects exist even when hidden; builds focus.
Baby-Safe Mirror	Promotes self-awareness and social-emotional development.
Musical Instruments	Teaches cause and effect through sound (e.g., shaking a maraca).

What are the best Montessori toys for a young toddler (12+ months)?

Your one-year-old is on the move and full of curiosity. You need toys that can channel their energy productively and challenge their growing problem-solving skills.

The best toys for a one-year-old challenge their developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Vertical stackers, simple wooden puzzles, and pull toys are excellent choices for this active age.

At twelve months, a child is a little scientist. They are testing gravity, exploring how things fit together, and refining the use of their hands. The toys for this stage are all about manipulation and problem-solving. A vertical stacker isn’t just a toy; it’s a puzzle that teaches size and order. Simple wooden puzzles with large knobs strengthen the pincer grasp—the same grasp they will one day use to hold a pencil. It’s also the age where "practical life" activities begin. This means inviting your child to participate in real-life tasks, like helping to wash vegetables or trying to put on their own socks. These activities are the most powerful "toys" of all, as they build independence, confidence, and a sense of belonging in the family.

Toy/Activity for 12+ Months	Developmental Purpose
Vertical Stackers / Pop Up Toy	Refines hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Simple Wooden Puzzles	Develops pincer grasp and visual discrimination.
Pull Toy	Encourages movement and balance for new walkers.
Practical Life Activities	Builds independence, coordination, and practical skills.

What are the best Montessori toys for a toddler (18+ months)?

Your toddler is speaking, moving with purpose, and ready for more complex challenges. The simple baby toys have been mastered and you need the next level of engagement.

For an 18-month-old, focus on toys that refine sorting skills, encourage imaginative play, and develop gross motor coordination. A climbing structure like a Pikler Triangle is iconic for this stage.

At this stage, a toddler’s learning explodes in two directions: refinement and expansion. They can now handle more complex fine motor challenges, like the classic Montessori Knobbed Cylinders, which require precise visual discrimination of both height and diameter. At the same time, their gross motor skills are ready for big-body work. A climbing structure, often called a Pikler Triangle, is a perfect tool for this. It allows a child to safely test their physical limits and develop strength, balance, and self-confidence at their own pace. This is a great example of a toy that aligns with Montessori principles by trusting the child to direct their own development. As a manufacturer of these items, I know that safety and stability are everything. Quality materials and construction are essential to creating a tool a parent can trust.

Toy for 18+ Months	Developmental Purpose
Montessori Knobbed Cylinders	Teaches fine-tuned visual discrimination of size.
Hammer Style Toy	Develops hand-eye coordination and motor strength.
Push Toy / Garden Tools	Encourages gross motor movement and purposeful work.
Pikler Triangle	Builds gross motor skills, confidence, and spatial awareness.

Conclusion

The best Montessori toy is simply the right tool at the right time. By matching the toy to your child’s specific age, you support their natural journey of discovery and learning.