When my little guy turned one, I started looking for toys that weren’t just fun, but also meaningful for his development. I wanted toys that would help him learn new skills, keep him engaged, and not just sit in a toy bin after a week. Montessori toys are the way to go. These simple, intentional toys are designed to support independence, encourage problem solving, and actually grow with your child which makes them such a great investment.
If you’re curious about Montessori toys for babies or just want to find some truly engaging options for your one-year-old, you’re in the right place!
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What Makes a Toy a Montessori Toy?
Montessori toys are rooted in the Montessori philosophy of learning through independence, exploration, and real-world experiences. Instead of flashing lights, loud sounds, and tons of plastic, you’ll find simple, beautiful designs that encourage your child to focus and use their imagination.
A few things that make a toy Montessori:
- Made from natural materials (like wood)
- Encourages hands-on learning
- Promotes independence and problem solving
- Supports developmentally appropriate skills
This is why you’ll often see wooden puzzles, stackers, and activity boards in Montessori infant toys. These are open-ended tools that encourage your child to practice real-life skills through play. I find that in the long run, they are worth the investment!
Why Choose Montessori Toys for Your 1 Year Old?
At this age, babies are so curious! They’re learning to use their hands, strengthening fine motor skills, and figuring out how the world works. Montessori baby toys are designed to meet them right where they are.
Some of the benefits include:
- Fine motor skill development – stacking, sorting, grasping, and moving objects.
- Cause and effect learning – understanding that their actions create results.
- Problem solving – figuring out how pieces fit together or how to complete a task.
- Independent play – fostering confidence by letting them explore on their own.
I love Montessori toys for babies because they aren’t “one and done.” The best Montessori toys grow with your child, so your one-year-old will still be using them as a toddler.
The Best Montessori Toys for 1 Year Olds
Montessori Toys Under $25
(Great starter toys for 9–18 months, also perfect as stocking stuffers for Christmas!)
Montessori Coin Box
This is such a classic Montessori toy for babies. Around 9–12 months, little ones start to love dropping coins or discs into the slot, then watching them reappear. It teaches object permanence, hand-eye coordination, and patience — and my son will repeat this over and over without getting bored.
Color Sorting Stacker
A beautiful wooden toy that introduces colors, shapes, and stacking skills. Younger babies will simply enjoy stacking the pieces, while toddlers will begin sorting and matching — making this one that lasts beyond the first year.
This little wooden cutter is one of the best Montessori toys for babies learning independence in the kitchen. It’s designed for tiny hands, allowing your toddler to safely slice soft foods like bananas or avocados alongside you. I love that it builds confidence and real-life skills without the worry of sharp blades, plus it’s the perfect way to start involving your little one in food prep from an early age.
Wooden Montessori Toys for 1 Year Old – Hammering Pounding Toy with Xylophone & Fishing Game
This toy is packed with variety, which makes it such a win for toddlers. They can hammer the balls through the holes, play music on the xylophone, or test their hand-eye coordination with the magnetic fishing game. It’s one of the best Montessori toys for 1 year olds because it combines fine motor practice, rhythm, and problem-solving all in one. I love toys like this that keep playtime fresh and engaging, my little one never gets bored with it.
We purchased this busy cube before one of our roadtrips and I’m so glad we did! We got it when my baby was 6 months old and he is now one and is still obsessed with it to this day! It keeps him entertained for a solid 20-30 minutes!
Color Sorting Wooden Sticks Toy
My mom bought this for my baby and starting around 11 months, he loves playing with it! He will sit and try and get the little wooden sticks in the holes for a good 30 minutes and he’s even learned to put the correct color in the right hole. Cannot recommend this one enough!
Montessori Toys Under $50
(Great gifts for birthdays or Christmas, and they’ll last well into toddlerhood)
This is such a great Montessori baby toy for learning colors and coordination. Your little one can match the colored balls to the cups, scoop and transfer them, or simply enjoy stacking. It’s simple but so versatile and it grows with your child as they move from basic matching to more advanced pretend play.
Educational Box from Tookyland Ages 13-18 months
This box is packed with Montessori infant toys designed for early problem-solving and fine motor skills. With activities like shape sorting and sliding, it gives your baby just the right amount of challenge. It’s a great option for that stage when they’re curious about everything but still need toys that are age-appropriate.
Books are always a win in our house, and this one doubles as a toy for little hands. This Montessori toy is perfect for roadtrips or airplanes!
Tiny Land Montessori Play Set with Drum, Carrot Harvesting, and Coin Box
I love sets like this because they cover so many developmental skills in one purchase. The drum encourages rhythm and sound exploration, the carrot harvesting game is perfect for fine motor grasping, and the coin box helps with object permanence. This set is basically a Montessori starter kit!
Activity tables are amazing for one-year-olds! This Montessori-inspired version swaps out plastic lights and noises for wooden, hands-on elements like gears, beads, and sliders. It’s the kind of toy that grows with your baby, giving them new ways to play as they get older.
Montessori Toys Under $150
(Bigger gifts that toddlers will love now and continue to use for years)
Kiwi Co Tap And Go Spiral Activity Tower
This is such a fun Montessori-inspired toy that introduces cause and effect. Little ones love watching the colorful balls go down the tower after tapping them in. It builds focus, hand-eye coordination, and early problem-solving skills. KiwiCo makes sturdy, high-quality toys that are designed to last! They’re so worth the investment!
A wobble board might look simple, but it’s one of the best Montessori toys for toddlers. At one, your baby might just enjoy rocking gently on it, but as they grow it becomes a slide, bridge, tunnel, or balance board. It’s open-ended play at its best, encouraging creativity and gross motor development.
Lovevery Babbler Play Kit (Months 13,14, and 15)
Lovevery is known for their Montessori baby toys, and this kit is one of my favorites for early toddlers. It includes a mix of stacking toys, problem-solving activities, and everyday objects that let your child practice real-life skills. Everything is thoughtfully designed for this exact stage of development. I have loved everything I’ve purchased from Lovevery!
Lovevery The Adventurer Playkit (Months 16,17, and 18
Perfect for slightly older toddlers, this kit builds on the same Montessori principles with more advanced activities. It includes toys that encourage pretend play, gross motor skills, and early problem-solving. I love that the kits grow with your child, so you’re always offering developmentally appropriate play.
Montessori Toys Splurges
(Investment pieces that grow with your child through preschool years)
Avenlur Water Table and Sand Table for Outdoor and Indoor Use
This Montessori-inspired water and sand table is perfect for sensory play. It encourages exploration, scooping, pouring, and pretend play all while keeping things contained in one spot. I love that it can be used indoors or outside, making it versatile year-round.
If you want to invest in one Montessori toy that will last for years, the Pikler triangle is it. It encourages independence, climbing, balance, and gross motor skills. You can add ramps or slides as your toddler grows, and it quickly becomes the centerpiece of playtime. Kids can get SO creative with toy that has endless possibilities.
Lalo makes beautiful, modern Montessori baby toys that double as décor in your home. Their play kit includes a mix of age-appropriate toys designed for toddlers, with the same Montessori focus on independence and learning through play.
Pretend play is a huge part of Montessori learning for toddlers, and this play kitchen is both practical and aesthetic. Your little one can “cook” alongside you, learning real-life skills in a safe, fun way. It’s an investment piece that will be loved for years. My baby plays with his kitchen all day long and is absolutely obsessed with it!
A front-facing bookshelf is a Montessori staple. It allows your child to see and choose their own books, encouraging independence and a love for reading. Piccalio’s bookshelf is simple, beautiful, and the perfect addition to a Montessori play space.
Piccalio Mini Chef Foldable Helper Tower
One of my favorite Montessori splurges! This foldable helper tower lets your toddler safely reach the counter to cook, bake, or wash hands alongside you. It’s incredible for building independence, confidence, and motor skills and it folds down for easy storage when not in use.
More Posts You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this roundup of the best Montessori toys for 1 year olds, you might also love these posts:
- Top Newborn Essentials We Actually Used in the First 2 Months – everything you really need for those early days.
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FAQs About Montessori Toys
Are Montessori toys worth it?
In my opinion, yes! Montessori toys are designed to support your child’s development, not just entertain them. Instead of sitting in a toy bin, they get used over and over because they encourage independence, problem-solving, and open-ended play. They also tend to last longer since most are made from sturdy, natural materials like wood.
What age should you start Montessori toys?
You can introduce Montessori toys for newborns, such as simple rattles and grasping toys. As your baby grows, you’ll move into Montessori infant toys like puzzles, stackers, and coin boxes. By the time your child turns one, they’re ready for some of the best Montessori toys that focus on fine motor skills, cause and effect, and early problem solving.
What makes a toy Montessori?
A Montessori toy is simple, purposeful, and rooted in real-life learning. They’re usually made of natural materials and encourage your child to explore and practice skills on their own. Instead of flashing lights and sounds, Montessori baby toys focus on hands-on learning that grows with your child.
Do Montessori toys help with development?
Absolutely. Montessori toys for babies and toddlers support both fine and gross motor skills, early STEM learning, independence, and problem-solving. Many toys are open-ended, meaning your child can use them in different ways as they grow — which keeps them engaged longer.
In Conclusion
Montessori toys for 1 year olds are some of the best investments you can make for your children. They’re beautiful, sturdy, and designed to grow with your little one while encouraging independence, problem-solving, and endless curiosity. Whether you’re looking for a simple under $25 toy or a splurge-worthy piece like a Pikler triangle, these Montessori baby toys are sure to bring hours of meaningful play and learning.
