If you’re looking for the best Montessori toys for babies and toddlers 18 months+, you’re in the right place! Whether you’re setting up a new Montessori playroom, or looking for gift ideas, you’ll find everything you need in this Montessori gift guide.

My youngest daughter is 16 months old – how time is flying. She plays with toys passed down from her older siblings, but it’s a haphazard collection with little structure or thought. 

Now, I’m looking for the best toys that, as well as being engaging and fun, will help her development, improve her fine and gross motor skills, aid colour and shape recognition, and more.

I’ve been familiar with the Montessori method for some time, but I’ve never applied the principles to my kids’ learning and playing environment.

Might I also add, our environment isn’t set up in a way that allows my daughter free access to the toys and activities that she’s interested in.

I’m finding that self-directed play is tricky and I have to assist her to find things to play with.

However, setting up a Montessori playroom is something I’ll save for another post!

With this in mind, I’m investing in some of the best Montessori toys for babies and toddlers who are 18 months+. 

Why Montessori?

Dr. Maria Montessori developed her system for educating children more than 100 years ago.

Since then, her name has become synonymous with providing children with the tools they need to learn and play, essentially preparing them for the rich myriad of life experiences they’ll encounter. 

Child-Led

One aspect of the Montessori classroom that I love is how gentle and natural it is. It encourages free and independent learning, so that kids retain that beautiful self-motivation they are born with.

This child-led method of learning is in contrast to the traditional teacher and pupil model, where teachers decide what will be taught, and how it will be taught.

Montessori respects the child, and their right to choose what interests them. It maintains that children are born with natural intelligence.

The Absorbent Mind

Importantly, Montessori highlights the child’s first six years of life as one of the most important in their educational timeline – since this is when they absorb the most.

It’s such a short period to get it right, isn’t it?

I still have two kids in this very early stage, and I often worry if I’ve done enough for my older children to help them in the early years.

Education For All

One of the huge benefits of Montessori is that it can apply to all children, even those with special needs. Children are free to learn at their own rate.

This is really important to me as a mum of four children who all have very different needs. Especially considering that one of my children is autistic, and we suspect another is ADHD and struggles at school, and another appears neurotypical and in line with her peers.

The Prepared Environment

One aspect of the Montessori method that I get behind, is the idea of a prepared environment. This means that as your child’s facilitator, you create the ideal meaningful and structured space in which they can learn. In this accessible space, everything has a place and a reason for being there.

What’s more, furniture is the right size for your child and easy for them to manoeuvre. Everything fits your child’s hand and is all within their control.

So now we understand more about the Montessori method, let’s take a look at what makes a good Montessori toy. They all share some common principles.

What are Montessori toys?

Montessori toys align with Montessori principles (learn about the principles). They form part of a wider environment that fosters independent learning and discovery. Let’s look at this in more detail:

• The best Montessori toys are open-ended toys. They are simple and promote learning through play, exploration, and engaging the senses.
• They focus on one skill or concept at a time, so that children can deeply engage with it. 
• They develop independence so that children can pace themselves according to their own abilities.
• Such toys allow children to improve their fine and gross motor skills.
• The toys allow freedom of movement.
• Montessori toys are made from natural materials – avoiding distracting electronic toys, which do not exist in the natural world. This gives children the chance to experience and experiment with the weight, temperature, and texture of real materials.
• Fewer toys help kids to focus and exist in a state of flow.

Think building blocks, stackers, colour and shape sorters, realistic people and animal figures, bean bags, climbing arches, balance boards, push and pull toys, even some cups, cutlery and place mats and high chairs are considered Montessori. Wood, metal, pottery, etc are considered Montessori materials.

Toy Rotation to Maintain Interest

You can employ Montessori toy rotation, keeping 6 – 8 toys in their environment at any one time, before swapping them out every couple of weeks. 

Keeping their playroom laid out in this way brings about feelings of curiosity and fosters learning.

So what’s important to our little ones at this age?

Baby & Toddler Development at 18 to 24 Months

Babies and toddlers at 18 to 24 months need lots of opportunities for exploration, testing, and movement, so toys that support this are ideal at this age. 

Toys that let your child help with their own feeding and personal care are also a fantastic idea. 

Speech and language are rapidly accelerating, so toys that help to encourage new words and sentence formation are perfect.

Although babies and toddlers develop at different rates, there are some common milestones we can expect to see at around the age of 18 to 24 months old. More of these here.

• Complete a 3-piece puzzle
• Match and sort colours
• Pretend to feed a doll
• Kick or throw a ball
• Use a crayon or pencil to make marks
• Build with 3 or more blocks
• Look at a picture book
• Use a fork and spoon to feed themselves
• Use a cup to drink
• Start to climb up and down from furniture and stairs
• Pull toys behind while walking

Now we can look at the best Montessori toys for children who are 18 to 24 months old.

Best Montessori Toys for Babies & Toddlers 18 Months+

Gross Motor Skills

Climbing Triangles & Arches

If you have the space, a Pikler Triangle is a great Montessori-style toy and playroom accessory, since it has so many benefits.

The most obvious benefit is that it helps your child to develop their gross motor skills like balance, coordination and strength through active play. But it also boosts emotional wellbeing through challenging your child. Their creativity is improved as they use it to build forts and dens.

A climbing arch/rocker is also a really good way to encourage gross motor skills and it’s a really nice way to rock and relax!

Our Pikler Triangle, Cimbling Arch and Slide is from Goodevas, we picked it up from Facebook Marketplace. There are so many brands to choose from so it’s worth researching and reading reviews to find a safe yet affordable system for your toddler. Try the 3-in-1 Montessori Climbing Set, £139 at Goodevas.

Balance Beams

Wooden balance beams are a fun way to promote your child’s balance and coordination. You and your kids can be creative and set them up in many different configurations and shapes so your child has a new challenge every day. Some allow for different walking, such as upright, quadrupedal, and lateral for a real test of skill. Try the Montessori Balance Beam Set with Stepping Stones, £56.95 at Costway.

Balance Boards

Challenge your toddler’s balance with a balance board. The boards build confidence, strength and gross motor skills. Your toddler’s imagination will be sparked as he or she can build forts, bridges, and more. Try the TP Wooden Balance Board, £39.99 at TP Toys

Ride-On Toys

A ride-on toy is a toddler’s first experience of riding. Therefore, it must meet the requirements of Montessori: improving balance, coordination, and learning to steer.

A ride-on toy needs to be suitable for indoor use, and shouldn’t damage the floor or furniture. Bonus points for wooden toys, but I’ll be prioritising a comfy seat for my little Eleanor! We really like the XJD Baby Balance Bike, £29.99 at Amazon, and the Ride on Dino Portosaurus, £62.50 at Kidly.

Push and Pull Toys

Push and pull toys are simple toys that encourage movement and help to develop your child’s balance. Think about carts, animals, and vehicles to engage your toddler’s sense of adventure. We love the JoJo Maman Bebe Duck Wooden Push Along Toy, £18, and the Janod Pull Along Chameleon, £15.50. 

Balls

Rolling, throwing and kicking balls is a great way to get moving and improve hand-eye coordination. Balls of different sizes offer different challenges and different textures, shapes, and colours add to the interest. This Soft Ball Set from Early Learning Centre, £12 is perfect for 18 months+.

Bean Bags

Bean bags are an underrated Montessori toy for kids aged 18 months+. These tactile and visual toys offer limitless possibilities for open ended play through sensory exploration. Try these Sensory Bean Bags, £36.38 from MimiaMontessori on Etsy.

Scarves

Toddlers and older kids alike love using scarves for throw and catch as they move more slowly than balls. They offer many opportunities for sensory play, role play, and open-ended play. Give this 6 Piece Scarf Set a go, £4.49 at Amazon.

For the Playroom

Peg Puzzles

Puzzles help your child hone their fine motor skills and are great for little problem solvers! Simple peg puzzles with 3 or 4 pieces are best for 18 to 24 month old toddlers. Any more pieces, and they might get frustrated or lose interest.

Look for chunky wooden puzzles with peg knobs to help your child practise their pincer grip. Try the My First Peg Puzzle, £8.49 at BigJigs Toys.

Toy Animals & People

Realistic animal and people figures are preferred in Montessori. Yes, even if that means they’re plastic and not wooden animals.

My older kids really like Schleich animals for pretend play, but they’re only recommended for 3+. So instead, we love these Learning Minds Jumbo Forest Animal Figures, £22.99 at Amazon. Also available are farm, zoo, and wild animals.

Blocks

Blocks aren’t just baby toys – they’re a classic Montessori toy that’s available at several price points. Choose blocks made from natural materials for a tactile experience.

You can blow the budget with Grimm’s Small Stepped Pyramid, £47.94 at Babipur, or choose these gorgeous construction Building Blocks, £24 at Tor’s Story.

Stackers

The best Montessori toys are simple – and stackers are a great example of this. They’re perfect for developing hand eye coordination and problem-solving skills.

One of our favourites is the Grimm’s Medium Rainbow, £19.60 at Babipur. All of my kids love this cute rainbow, it offers so many possibilities.

Stacking rings are also an option, but for more of a challenge try these Wooden Stacking and Balancing Rocks, £16.95 at Tor’s Story.

Colour & Shape Sorters

It’s safe to say my daughter is obsessed with sorting coloured items into jars! She’s going to love this Wooden Colour Sorting Game, £8.99 at Amazon, which improves not just colour recognition, but fine motor skills.

We’ve also got our eyes on Grimm’s Sorting Rainbow Game, £68.94, and 12 Piece Sorting Helper, £79.50, all Babipur. These are definitely investment pieces!

Train Set

All playrooms should feature a train set, since this classic toy is great for nurturing creative thinking, improving dexterity, and taking turns. There are plenty of wooden train sets that align with Montessori thinking. For starters, try the BRIO World Train Set My First Railway Beginner Pack, £44.99 at Brio, or the Music and Monkeys Railway, £34.99 from Hape. 

Wooden Car Ramp Toy

All my kids love playing with these fun car ramps. And they learn all about speed, gravity, and direction while improving their visual tracking ability. Personalised Pink Car Ramp, £20 at My1stYears.

Baby Dolls

Baby dolls meet with some debate in Montessori teaching since not all are anatomically correct. Yet they make a great choice for imaginative play.

You can choose anatomically correct baby dolls that are more realistic, and Miniland Dolls make a great choice. Or go for soft baby dolls, which make a great gift and are huggable.

Ultimately it’s your choice to encourage play with dolls and what type to go for. 

Play Kits

Lovevery Play Kits are such a neat idea and worth checking out! We love how you get the right play kit packed with good toys for your child’s developmental stage delivered to your door. However, they are expensive and like me, you might already have some of the toys in your home.

Musical Toys

Musical toys are a great addition to your Montessori playroom. They encourage back and forth interaction, which is a step before picking up conversation skills.

We love Tor’s First Musical Instruments, £24.95, which contains a tambourine, xylophone, bells, and guiro. Or build your own instruments set from Montessori Toys.

In The Garden

Gardening Sets

If your toddler is developmentally ready, helping in the garden is great for sensory development and is so much fun. This gardening set for young toddlers with shorter handles is perfect for small hands: Montessori Toddler’s Gardening Set by Nienhuis, £14.50 at Montessori Hut.

Sandbox

A sandbox goes way beyond scooping and tipping. Use a tray like the Absorbent Minds Sand Tray and Smoothing Tool, £28.99 to facilitate mark making, creative work, and early writing skills.

Rain Suit & Boots

Montessori encourages outdoor play as much as possible. Invest in a puddle suit, boots, hat, gloves (the type that stay on!), and warm layers underneath. These can be purchased at major outlets such as Go Outdoors and Sports Direct. However first check out preloved websites such as whoski.com, katieskidsclothes.com, littleonespreloved.co.uk, and vinted.com.

Around the house

Learning Tower from 18 months

Investing in a learning tower is a great way to involve your toddler around the house.

And you’ll be pleased to hear that their helpfulness expands beyond the kitchen. Think tooth brushing time, and helping at the dining table.

However, before looking into helper towers for your 18 month old, consider your budget. Do you want to invest in a new learning tower, or is second hand acceptable? Then, consider the features of the tower:

• Height adjustable: Grows with your child and you’ll get more years use from it.
• Foldable: Great for smaller spaces or occasional use.
• Convertible: Converts into a table and chair.

It might be useful to get recommendations from your family and friends. As for us, we love our Stepup Baby Montessori Toddler Tower, £119. Since we have four kids and it’s always in use, it doesn’t need to fold away. And we love the clean and simple design.

Toddler Knife Set

Let your toddler help you chop soft fruits, vegetables, and bread with this cute knife set. The Anpole Toddler Knife Set, £18.99 at Amazon.

Vacuum Cleaner

Because of the Montessori focus on realistic toddler toys, choose a vacuum cleaner that actually works.

There are several choices for your 18 – 24 month old. The first is a working toddler vacuum cleaner like the toy Henry and Dyson vacuum cleaners. The second is a handheld vacuum cleaner. You can also consider a mechanical carpet sweeper with one of the poles removed so it perfectly suits your toddler.

Mini Dustpan and Brush Set

Perfect for your little one to help with cleaning! This Grey Mini Dustpan & Brush Set, £7 at Pro Cook, is just the right size for a toddler and they’ll love the fact the magnet snaps the brush back into place once they’re done sweeping.

Tableware

Cups, cutlery and table settings are considered Montessori when they mimic those used by adults and are made from similar materials e.g. china cups and metal cutlery. It allows our children to demonstrate their responsibility to us, and we reciprocate by showing our trust in using such items. Of course, there will be breakages, but that is how they learn.

Art & Craft

Painting Easel

Most easels are only suitable for older toddlers of 3 years due to small parts. However, if you already have a Pikler triangle, many, such as the Goodevas Pikler Triangle that we own, come with an art add-on that turns your triangle into a fun easel.

Paints

Let your child paint in whatever way you feel comfortable with. And if you’re timid, try washable paints and paint sticks, which are a great idea for creative play for children aged 18 months+.

Final thoughts on Best Montessori Toys for Babies & Toddlers 18 Months+

I hope you found this article helpful in your search for Montessori products. Do you have any Montessori toys to add to this list? Let me know in the comments!

And remember to subscribe to my blog and follow me on Facebook for more.

Until next time!

Helen