Are you planning to buy a Christmas gift for a toddler or preschooler this year? Maybe your parents want to buy a present for their grandchild.
The holidays are a great time to give the next generation of thinkers and creators some good toys and games! There’s no shortage of ideas if you don’t know what to get, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to pick the best one from all those options. That’s why we have put together this list with 12 Montessori-compatible presents that will please any little imaginative mind.
At Montessori Academy, we take great pride in our commitment to the Montessori method, which says that the right kind of learning materials can make kids smarter, more productive, and more creative. So, in this article, we are going to give you ideas of the best Montessori gifts for toddlers, preschoolers, and even older children. Get your kid some awesome toys that will encourage creativity and help a child develop their natural potential. Let’s check out our ideas!
Why Are Montessori Toys Good For Kids?
Montessori toys are specially designed to encourage creativity, motor skills, and self-expression. They are usually designed for very young children (age 0-6 years), so they will be interesting and fun to play with for a long time.
Here are some of the characteristics of Montessori toys:
- They are educational and fun: No batteries, no plugs, just plain natural fun! They are made from organic materials – wood, cloth, ceramics… natural stuff. It not only helps your little ones develop their imagination and creativity, but it’s also healthier than plastic and cheaper than fancy gadgets.
- Clear design: Montessori toys have simple, clear designs that are easy to understand. It can help a child learn how things work, which is very important in the early development of thinking and imagination.
- Sensorial appeal: Montessori toys can be designed to take full advantage of all five senses ( sight, touch, sound, smell, and taste). They encourage the child to use his sense of touch in a very sensory way.
- Montessori toys are constructive and functional: They help children learn about the world through experimentation and interaction.
- Parts for hands-on learning: Montessori toys usually include different parts that can be put together or taken apart for hands-on learning through play.
When you provide your kids with Montessori Toys, it is ideal for keeping things simple as possible. Like a cluttered table can make adults feel overwhelmed, too many toys to play with can do the same thing and overload a child’s brain. Choosing a few but high-quality Montessori Toys and implementing toy rotation will help your child get the most out of the toys and have fun with them longer.
12 Montessori Christmas Gift Ideas For Toddlers and Preschoolers
1. Wooden Geoboard – Montessori Toy
Geoboards are a classic material used in Montessori classrooms. They are great for helping kids explore geometry and learn how shapes fit together to make more complex objects. This wooden Geoboard has 64 round embedded nails that are very firm to ensure they will not hurt your child’s hands, and the rubber bands are strong and durable enough to secure the touch. A Geoboard offers unlimited opportunities to develop your child’s creativity and imagination, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and visual perception. These are best for kids ages 3+ years.
2. Sensory Bin Toys
Sensory Bins are just a bunch of materials and objects to play within one bin. It’s a very open-ended toy that doesn’t have a specific goal – it’s more like a “play and figure it out” genre. Sensory bins can be used in the home, the classroom, or even on the go. Your child will love discovering the materials and objects in a sensory bin and what they can do with them. With the help of his own hands, he will experiment and play and strengthen his motor skills. These are best for kids ages 1+ years.
3. Montessori Art Table
Art tables are a perfect gift for an aspiring artist! It can be used by young kids from age 2+ years old to draw, paint, and practice their letters, but it is still very interesting to older kids too! An art table is great for encouraging self-expression through creative activities such as painting or sculpting.
4. Montessori Entry Mirror
Giving your children an entry mirror offers them the opportunity to care for themselves. They will feel confident, and that’s a big step. An entry mirror is usually made from acrylic (not glass), so it won’t break if your child accidentally drops it or if they hit it accidentally. An entry mirror is always a great Christmas gift for your kids! These are best for kids ages 3+ years.
5. Montessori Learning Tiles – Continents of the World with Atlas
It is hands-down one of the most beneficial tools for young children to learn about geography and other subjects that help them develop their ability to concentrate, be patient, and have self-control. They are all handmade with quality oak-faced wood, so they can last for a long time and are very easy to clean. Montessori Learning Tiles is recommended for kids ages 3+ years.
6. Egg and Cup Color Sorting Set
The egg and cup color sorting set is a simple way to develop fine motor skills. The color-coordinated element helps children enhance the ability to recognize and match colors. The set is designed to encourage children for free and open play without rules or objectives—best for ages three and up.
7. Block Set by Lovevery
What can you do with these blocks? Everything! This set of blocks is an open-ended toy that allows children to create whatever they can imagine. This Block Set is designed with 20+ creative learning activities that come in various complexity to meet every stage of your kid’s growth from 18 months old to 4+ years, providing years of play in one box. They are made in non-toxic, organic, and sustainable wood, are safe and durable enough for your kid to play with them over and over again—best for kids ages 1+ years.
8. Board Books
Children love books! Reading is one of the essential things a child learns during their formative years. It provides them with knowledge, inspiration, and entertainment. Many parents choose to buy books for their children each year.
Here are some amazing Montessori-friendly books available in online stores:
- The Montessori Method: My First Book of Feelings
- Baby Signs: A Baby-Sized Introduction to Speaking with Sign Language
- I’m Not Tired!: A Bedtime Routine Book
- How Do You Feel?
- First 100 Animals
- Global Babies
- FUN FLAPS: All About Me!
- See, Touch, Feel: Create: A Creative PlayBook
- 1, 2, 3, What Do You See?: A Counting Book for Toddlers
- My Big Animal Book
9. Little Friends Home for the Holidays Bundle
Help your child’s imagination blossom by providing this festive Montessori toy set, which will be the perfect companion for your kids during the Christmas holiday. This Toy bundle offers kids everything they need to create imaginative family scenes. It is gender-neutral, so both boys and girls can play together to have fun! It has an open design that is ideal for Montessori learning and sharing with other children. It is recommended for kids ages 3+ years.
10. Montessori Wooden Busy Board
Wooden Busy Board is an excellent travel toy for a toddler. It has full of fun challenges that will make your kids busy on long journeys when you have a family trip. This Screen-free alternative idea makes it one of the best gifts for children this holiday season. Best for ages two and up.
11. Stuffed animals
Giving stuffed animals is a classic gift for toddlers. Stuffed animals are soft and cuddly, and they provide comfort to children who may feel lonely or scared. Most stuffed animals are made from fabric, which is easy to clean should your child decide to do a little more than snuggle with their new friend. Best for kids ages 18 months and up.
12. An art kit
Art kits are great for teaching kids creativity and self-expression. It is a great Christmas gift for toddlers and preschoolers. It helps them develop their fine motor skills, and it is educational. Just like a Montessori art table, an art kit is best for developing your child’s artistic skills by encouraging them to express themselves through artwork.
At Montessori Academy, we always encourage parents to provide children with the best possible activities, toys, and gifts so their child can have a better development. All of these Montessori-aligned gifts are hand-picked items, and they will help your child have the best possible development they can get. A Montessori-aligned Christmas is not only the perfect gift for toddlers; it’s a gift that will last them all year, even when they are older. We guarantee that you will love these products just as much as we do!
If you would like to ask more information about Montessori toys, please feel free to contact us at (310) 215 -3388 for Culver City and (323) 795-0200 for West Adams.
