simple play, big learning

Montessori-inspired play you can set up in five minutes

Toys by age that actually get played with, quick activities to do together, and free printables. Fewer, better things, and more time on the floor with your little one.

Toys by ageActivitiesFree printablesMontessori at home
Wooden object permanence box with a tray and colored ballsFeatured
Toys by age · 1 year

The 7 Best Montessori Toys for 1-Year-Olds

Simple toys they'll actually play with, plus a 60-second quiz to find the right one.

See the list →
Free tool

Bored at home? Get a 5-minute activity by age.

Skill: Fine motorTape rescue

Tape a few toys to a tray with painter’s tape. Your toddler peels the tape to free them.

These are activities to do together. Always supervise, and keep small items away from children under 3.

Toys by age

Montessori toys for babies on a play mat: an object permanence box, soft stacking cups and a wooden coin boxNew
0–12 months

Best Montessori Toys for BabiesThe 3 Best Montessori Toys for Babies

Low shelf of Montessori toys for a 1-year-old: object permanence box, coin box, stacking cups, bead maze and a knob puzzleNew
1 year

Best Montessori Toys for 1-Year-OldsThe 7 Best Montessori Toys for 1-Year-Olds

Small hands pulling wooden carrots from a garden toy on a low shelf, next to a wooden ball tower: Montessori toys for a 2-year-old in a calm play cornerNew
2 years

Best Montessori Toys for 2-Year-OldsThe 4 Best Montessori Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Small hands sorting buttons, pasta and wooden blocks into a muffin tin, simple learning toys for preschoolers on a kitchen table
Preschool learning

Learning Through Play for PreschoolersLearning Through Play for Preschoolers

Activities with free printables

Hand-drawn pom-pom color sorting mat with red, blue, yellow and green circles and big pom-poms on a wooden table

Pom-Pom Color Sorting MatPom-Pom Color Sorting Mat

5 min read5 min read · Ages 2–4
Toddler hand holding a round lid next to a hand-drawn checklist of circles, squares and triangles during a kitchen shape hunt

Kitchen Shape HuntKitchen Shape Hunt

5 min read5 min read · Ages 2–4
Small hands pressing green and yellow playdough toppings onto a red playdough pizza on a wooden board

Playdough Pizza ShopPlaydough Pizza Shop

5 min read5 min read · Ages 2–4
Did you know?

Fewer toys out can mean longer play.

In a 2018 study, toddlers played longer with 4 toys out than with 16. Know a mom drowning in toys? Send her this page.