Montessori-Aligned Gift Guide
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A list of our favorites has been highly requested so I decided to finally put one together! I want to state up front that I believe Montessori is more about the way we treat and interact with our children than it is about material items. If you follow me on Instagram, you will see me repeatedly stating that Montessori begins and ends with respect. That's the bottom line most important aspect of the method in my opinion. That being said, the holidays are quickly approaching and I will be purchasing toys and materials for Luca. I know many of you are planning to purchase gifts for your children as you have asked me what types of things we use and love, that's why I've put together this guide. These things are in no way necessary or required for practicing Montessori at home.
Gross Motor Gift Ideas
Foam Climbing Blocks: These were Luca's Christmas present last year when he was about 7 months old. They were a great introduction to climbing and helped him as he mastered crawling. He still loves to carry them around and use them for forts at 18 months old!
The brand is ECR4Kids, linked here!
Balance Beam: Luca started using his balance beam at 16 months old. It's been a hit these last couple of months!
Ours is from Lily & River (code AB15 for a discount)
Balance Board: This one is surprisingly versatile. When we first got it, Luca wasn't sure about standing on it but he immediately loved to use it as a ramp for his toy cars! He used it that way for a while then just recently began trying to balance on it.
Ours is from Lily & River (code AB15 for a discount)
Pikler Triangle: We've used a Pikler climbing triangle since Luca was 8 or 9 months old and beginning to pull up to stand. He's worked on it for all these months and can now climb over the top and back down!
Our is from Joey Co. and it's held up well! We also purchased the climbing arch and ramp/slide.
Lily & River has another option (code AB15 for a discount)
Sprout Kids also makes a climbing triangle (code Autumn10 for a discount)
Balance Bike: Ours was a gift from his grandparents for his first birthday and it's been a fun one for him to scoot around on!
This one has worked well for us but I would recommend checking out other brands.
I've heard great things about this one that is very similar to ours - I highly considered it when we put ours on his birthday list!
I have friends that use and enjoy this one by Strider.
Swing: This one may be debatable amongst Montessorians, but I do believe there are many benefits to be gained from swinging. That being said, I have included it on this list and we use one at home! We ask Luca if he would like to swing and he lets us know when he is all done. We respect his wishes!
We have the classic Little Tikes swing.
Practical Life Gift Ideas
Toddler Learning Tower: This was Luca's birthday present from us! We use it almost everyday in the kitchen so he can reach the counters and sink! He loves climbing in and out of it.
Ours is from Sprout. We chose this one because it is quick and easy to assemble/disassemble and it has a removable back plate for extra safety which made us more comfortable when we first got it.
Children's Knife Set: I know knives seem like an odd gift for a child but hear me out - Luca LOVES helping to prepare his snacks. He enjoys being hands-on and I've found it even helps to make him more interested in eating.
This set was a gift for his birthday and it's great because it includes the wooden knife for beginning, the crinkle knife that's slightly sharper, then the plastic serrated knives.
Cleaning Set: I had no idea how much fun a broom could be for a child until Luca got this set for his birthday. He uses his broom every single day to help clean up messes (and to ride like a horse 😂).
We have this set from Melissa and Doug! It's great - I love that it includes a holder to keep things tidy and organized.
Pouring Pitchers: Pouring has been something that Luca has been practicing heavily for the past few months. He enjoys helping with pouring his cereal, milk, and water. Having pitchers that are the right size for his hands has been very helpful!
These are the stainless creamer pitchers we use most often!
Visual Recipes and Cooking Guide: My good friend Ayelet from @homeandontheway has created a wonderful guide full of child-friendly recipes, with photos of each step for the child to follow along! It's beautiful and creates opportunities for connection in the kitchen as well as practical life skill building.
Here's the link for the guide! It's a digital download and it would make a great gift, especially paired with a knife set or child-sized cooking utensils.
Gifts for 0-6 Months
Musical Instruments: As soon as Luca could hold an object, we introduced maracas! He got this set for Christmas last year and still uses the instruments often. They are so much fun! There are a few items in the set that I would recommend waiting to introduce since they are small, but several are great for early introduction to music.
Here is the set we have and love!
Rolling Rattle Cylinder: This one was especially awesome once Luca was beginning to slither and crawl - he would push it and it encouraged him to move to retrieve it! It also makes a nice sound as it rolls
The one we have is from Lovevery's Target collection, linked here.
Here is a similar option with great reviews!
High Contrast Objects: I can vividly remember Luca sitting and intently observing his high contrast books and cards as he laid on his movement mat.
We loved this board book. It folds out so you can prop it up for baby to observe.
We also have this piece from Manhattan Toy Company.
Skwish Rattle: This was a favorite for 0-6 months and even beyond. It makes a lovely noise and it's perfect for small hands just beginning to hold toys!
This is the one we have, the classic Skwish!
I also love this option, and this one as well.
Sensory Ball Set: We often had a treasure basket full of balls with different textures for sensory exploration and practice holding items! They are still fun at 18 months for throwing and chasing.
Here's the link to the set we have.
Play Kit Subscription: A great gift idea is a subscription! We have used Lovevery since Luca turned 5 months old and we have loved it since then!
Click here for "The Looker" Play Kit for Weeks 0-12
Click here for "The Charmer" Play Kit for Months 3-4
Click here for "The Sensor" Play Kit for Months 5-6
Gifts for 6-12 Months
Fun Books: It's hard to go wrong with books! We have so many hand-me-down books and tons that were gifted by friends and family. Would you believe me if I told you we have read every one of them several times each? Reading has always been a huge part of our life as a family.
A favorite for this age (and beyond): Peek-a Who? by Nina Laden! This one features fun rhymes and we have read it thousands of times, often on loop.
Touch Feel books: The publisher, "Priddy Books" makes some of our favorite touch feel books! These were perfect for Luca in this age group. He absolutely loved feeling all of the new textures. Here is just one example by this publisher!
This book quickly became a top favorite. Something about real pictures of babies and doggies absolutely captivated him!
Ring Stacker: We introduced the ring stacker somewhere in this age range! There are so many options out there and some are more challenging than others.
This one from Lovevery's Target collection was nice because the holes on the rings were larger than those of our other stacker, making it more approachable for Luca as he began learning.
This one is from Ikea, we have a hand-me-down one that is a much older version but the construction is the same. It has a silicone center rod which I've found to add more challenge since there is resistance as the rings go on and come off.
Object Permanence Box: We introduced the object permanence box at 7 months old and it took consistent work for him to master it! It was fun for him for months. He still loves to explore boxes like this and hide his toys inside.
This is a great option from Lovevery's Target collection
There is also one included in the Lovevery play kit subscription for 7-8 months.
This one from Elite Montessori is another good option
Play Scarves: Luca received a set of play scarves for Christmas last year when he was 7 months old and they were a hit! So much fun for peek-a-boo and texture exploration. These are extremely versatile and truly grow with the child. Once they hit toddlerhood and beyond, play scarves are amazing for pretend play too!
He was gifted a set by a brand on Amazon like these
For longevity, I would consider investing in a higher quality silk from a small business like Sarah's Silks, linked here.
Single-Piece Puzzle: We introduced a single piece puzzle around 7 months old. It took a while of consistent practice for Luca to begin putting the piece back! It's amazing to witness once they begin to grasp it.
This is a great option for a first puzzle - the mirror adds interest
There is a puzzle included in the Lovevery "Inspector" Play Kit
Play Kit Subscription: Again, we have really enjoyed having a subscription for toys. It makes it easy because we don't have to individually source developmentally-appropriate toys. We have used Lovevery since Luca turned 5 months old.
Click here for "The Inspector" Play Kit for Months 7-8
Click here for "The Explorer" Play Kit for Months 9-10
Click here for "The Thinker" Play Kit for Months 11-12
Gifts for 12-18 Months
Fun Books: Again, it's hard to go wrong with books! We still read often and it's one of our favorite ways to connect.
This Noisy Farm book by Usborne is an all time favorite of Luca's. It's silly and loud! He loves repeating the animal noises.
All Better by Usborne features reusable "bandages" that the child can place on the animals injuries in the book. It's very sweet and Luca loves it.
Water Wonders books by Usborne are "painting" books with water. They are board books so once they dry they can be reused
Llama Llama Hide and Seek has been a favorite for a long while. It's a lift the flap book that never gets old.
Yoto Player: The Yoto has been a great way for Luca to pick his own music and turn it on independently. We use it every single day and have since he got it for his birthday! We only have a few music cards at this point and we often listen to their children's radio station.
We have the Yoto Mini, linked here
Multi-Piece Puzzle: We have loved puzzles with large knobs at this age. We've also introduced pincer grasp puzzles recently (around 16-17 months of age).
Here's a great option with three shapes and large knobs
Here's another great option with large knobs and a handful of shapes
Xylophone: Luca got a xylophone for his birthday and it's been the best addition to his musical instruments! It's been timely as he is just starting to hit the instrument with a mallet.
We have this one by Plan Toys! It has a nice soft sound as it's wooden.
Car Tracker or Ball Tracker: We have a car tracker as well as a ball drop from the Lovevery play kit and Luca has loved both! These are great for hand-eye coordination and visual tracking.
We have a car tracker that is very similar to this one from Amazon
This ball tracker from Elite Montessori is a great option as well.
Language/Nomenclature Cards: We have one set of these that I purchased and I've made a set to match his Schleich figurines. Luca actually loves pulling this from his shelf and having me read the animal facts and names to him!
Here's the link to the marine animal set we have! We have really enjoyed it. The figurines are not very large so if your child is still mouthing, I would try to find a set with larger animals and/or closely supervise. (We always supervise regardless)
Blocks: Luca has just started showing interest in stacking over the past month or so and it's been so much fun! He loves to make towers and push them over.
We have these blocks by Melissa and Doug
We don't yet own these ourselves, but the Lovevery block set is an absolute favorite of many of my friends!
Play Kit Subscription: Finally, we have loved having a play kit subscription. It takes the work and planning out of making sure the toys I'm sourcing are developmentally appropriate. The toys are high-quality, sustainably-sourced, and fun!
Click here for "The Babbler" Play Kit for Months 13-15
Click here for "The Pioneer" Play Kit for Months 16-18
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