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2023 Montessori Christmas Gift Guide: Ages 0-6 Years

Christmas is here, once again. As joyful as this time of year can be, it's the time of year most of us stress out about what Montessori Christmas gifts to buy for the most precious ones for their first hand full of Christmases.

While there is no such thing as a “Montessori toy“, there are plenty of Montessori-align play items that make great Christmas gifts for children being raised in a Montessori fashion.

If you are into Montessori-style gifts, you'll be putting just a little more thought into the gifts you give; no buttons and lights, no annoying “learning” toys, and hopefully you can avoid plastic, as Wooden toys are favorable.

I've taken on all the extra thinking for you, though, and made a great list.

I've got some great Montessori Christmas gifts featured for 2023.

So, let's get right to it.

pinterest image of wooden background with toys that reads the montessori christmas gift guide 2023 edition.

(This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing from these links costs you nothing extra, but helps with our website upkeep.)

I originally published a Christmas gift guide in 2018 when I earned my Montessori certification and had 3 very small children.

They have grown quite a bit since then and I've gained a lot of experience picking out toys to facilitate their play.

I chucked the old article, but I kept some of my original recommendations on the list – and I added some things I've observed my children really enjoy over the years.

I have the gifts broken down by age for you. If you are looking for gifts across age groups, I can't recommend the following items enough.

I've put together some other posts that you might find helpful, as well:

There are many more toy guides on this website, so feel free to browse around if you don't find what you're looking for in this post.

Montessori Christmas gifts for babies

0-3 months

Lovevery Play Gym

There are a lot of play gyms on the market, but Lovevery has one of the most popular and high-quality.

Unlike other play gyms, this one can transform into a little toddler fort for continued use.

It also comes with a guide that features expert tips to help you foster your baby's development through play.

LOVEVERY | The Play Gym |…
  • From Tummytime to Play Fort: Lovevery knows nothing is more…
  • We Grow With Your Baby: 5 Montessori-inspired development zones…
  • Learning Through Play: Includes a guide for age appropriate…

Topponcino

Now, this could be a gift for an expectant parent or for a newborn.

Montessori babies love their Topponcinos and new parents find them helpful for transferring their sleeping babies from their arms to another sleeping surface.

Montessori Topponcino Baby Support…
  • World’s Most Recommended Montessori Baby Item – Designed by Dr….
  • Makes Handling Your Newborn Easy And Carefree – Unique oval…
  • Helps Your Baby Stay Calm And Feeling Safe – Like a “blankie” or…

Mobile

It's a must-have for babies. Montessori mobiles are all about simplicity and contrast.

You can choose the proper Montessori set or one of the high-contrast mobiles on this list.

Again, this could be a gift for a baby or an expectant parent.

Four Classic Montessori Visual Mobiles,…
  • It is recommended to be used by professionals who understand…
  • READY to USE: All mobiles are assembled and ready to hang.
  • AGE: From birth to 5 months or when the baby begins to push up on…

Contrast cards

It's a fact that contrasts capture a baby's attention and there is science behind why your little one is going to be captivated by these contrast cards.

Sale
Skillmatics Large Flash Cards for Babies…
  • LEARNING TOOLS FOR BABIES 0 TO 12 MONTHS: Designed by educators,…
  • VISUAL STIMULATION & SENSORY DEVELOPMENT: Our High-Contrast Flash…
  • INCLUDES: Each set includes 30 double-sided Flash Cards, learning…

3-6 months

Board Books

Board books are a great introduction to a future of loving to read. Eric Carle books are a favorite in Montessori households as the images are high contrast and the stories are simple and engaging for babies.

For more Montessori-aligned book recommendations, check out our list of inclusive and diverse books and our list of baby books.

Sale
Eric Carle Six Classic Board Books Box…
  • 10 Little Rubber Ducks|Do You Want to Be My Friend?|Does a…
  • Carle, Eric (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

Rattles

Sometime between 3 and 6 months, babies learn that they can use their hands for more than just chewing.

This is one of my favorite milestones and how special it is for a baby to have the first toy they grab to be made from a natural material

Babies at this age are also beginning to learn cause and effect.

One of their first experiences with this is often with a baby rattle – and I absolutely love this one.

Baby Wooden Toy Rattle Natural Untreated…
  • NATURAL – WOODEN – ECO FRIENDLY – Phthalate free , Latex Free,…
  • CLASSIC AND GENDER NEUTRAL BABY SHOWER GIFT! Gift this teething…
  • WHY CHOOSE WOOD? Wood has Natural attributes and properties…

6-12 months

Object permanence box

This is a Montessori staple and it's been a big hit with all my kids at this age.

It may not have that “fun toy” look, but babies and even young toddlers find it mesmerizing.

Sale
Adena Montessori Full Size Object…
  • 🌱【Classic Color Scheme】:The Object Permanence Box with…
  • 👶【Precision Slope Design】: The innovative design of the…
  • ✨【Crisp Sound Effects】: As the balls make their way down…

Ball Run

Babies enjoy figuring out why things happen so they can try to make it happen again. A mini ball run/ hammer toy is great for exploration.

This is great for babies who like to throw things, as well as babies (and toddlers) in the trajectory schema, a play schema in which babies enjoy exploring the trajectory of objects when they are dropped or thrown.

Sale
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Pound and Roll…
  • CLASSIC POUNDING TOY: The Melissa & Doug Pound & Roll Tower is a…
  • HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: This wooden pounding toy is made from…
  • BRIGHTLY COLORED PIECES: The Melissa & Doug Pound & Roll Tower…

Shape sorter 

This is fun, colorful, challenging, and so great for a baby's brain development.

Sale
Melissa & Doug Match and Roll Shape…
  • Melissa & Doug
  • CLASSIC POUNDING TOY: The Melissa & Doug Match & Roll…
  • HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: This wooden pounding toy is made from…

Montessori Christmas gifts for toddlers

12-18 months

Threading toys

Threading toys are great for developing hand-eye coordination and concentration.

My 2 older kids both enjoyed these as young toddlers and they got years of use.

KLT Lacing Toy for Toddlers, Wooden…
  • 💖WOODEN LACING TOYS FOR KIDS- Fun thread toy set for your kids…
  • 🌈GREAT TOY FOR TRAVEL ROAD TRIP- These challenging and fun…
  • 💖 SAFE FOR KIDS-Wood lacing toy that is made of beech wood…

Car ramp/ball tracker

My son received this as a gift for his 1st birthday and years later, it's still his favorite toy.

Qilay Wooden Race Track Car Ramp Racer…
  • Classic Toddler Race Track Toys: Wooden race track size…
  • Natural & Safe Wooden: Made of 100% natural pine wood, non-toxic…
  • Fun Early Learning and Play: Learning Through Playing, these…

Blocks

Every child should have a set of good-quality blocks.

This Lovevery Block Set is unique and offers many different play opportunities.

LOVEVERY | The Block Set | Solid Wood…
  • Comprehensive Block Set: Science-based system of 70…
  • STEM Learning: Unlock STEM concepts like math, physics, and…
  • Fun Learning Activities: Designed with 20+ fun and creative…

Montessori Christmas gifts for 18 months to 3 years

Hand Bells

My kids absolutely love music. We got our daughter these bells several years ago and they have stood the test of time.

It is wonderful to hear my 4-year-old adapt simple songs from the piano to the violin, to the bells.

These have brought a lot of joy to our house.

Handbells, Hand Bells Set 8 Note Musical…
  • 😏[Great for Your Kids] : Hand bells are made of high quality…
  • 😏[Easy to Play] : 8 color coded hand bells are marked notes…
  • 😏[Good for Brain Development]: Playing handbell is a great way…

Schleich animals

These animal figurines are crafted with impeccable detail and they even make real-looking footprints in clay!

There simply is no substitute for Schleich.

Schleich Barn 

Now, this is a gift that reaches across age groups, actually. My kids all enjoy this.

They enjoyed it when they were toddlers and even my eldest, who's now 9-years-old, still gets joy from it.

The quality and detail are great and it can be used as a teaching tool for Montessori homeschoolers or just used for imaginative play.

Schleich Red Barn Playset with Cows,…
  • Toy barn playset with a working hayloft winch and loads of…
  • Encourages imaginative play, storytelling, creativity, an…
  • Features working winch – Lifts hay up to hayloft, moves on track…

Montessori gifts for preschoolers (3, 4, & 5 years old)

Magna-tiles

My children love them some Magna-tiles. These nifty little shapes provide hours of fun and help foster creativity.

This is a great gift for children who enjoy building and love open-ended toys.

MAGNA-TILES Classic 100-Piece Magnetic…
  • What’s Included: 100 translucent geometric shapes in 6…
  • What Makes It Unique: You’re looking at the original and most…
  • Developmental: Certified STEAM toy, per Dr. Gummer’s Good Play…

Snap Circuits Beginner

This is a pre-school-age-friendly version of Snap Circuits.

The instructions are drawn for the child, instead of written.

It's perfect for pre-readers who are interested in making cool things happen with electricity.

The age on the box states that it's for ages 5-9, however, as long as your child is old enough to keep the pieces out of their mouth and they are supervised, they can enjoy this.

My kids were all 3-5 when they could do the activities included in the kit – I feel like these ages are more appropriate for this set.

No products found.

Grimm's Rainbow

I've already shouted the praises of the Grimm's Rainbow plenty of times, but here I go again.

It's one of our favorite open-ended toys.

The opportunities for play with this toy are boundless.

Watch out for cheap, plastic imitations, though. The original rainbow is cut from a single piece of wood and is kept rough to grip for easier building.

Sale
Grimm's Spiel und Holz Design Large…
  • Beautiful heirloom-quality nesting stacker is handcrafted in…
  • Children (and even adults!) will love to nest and stack the…
  • Inspires creativity: Rainbow arches can be used as tunnels,…

Just like a child's interests, children's skill levels will vary. Children progress in different areas at different paces. Only purchase items with their development and interests in mind.

Sometimes we impose our own goals and interests on our children. It is so important not to do that! Watch your child closely to see what they love to do!

I hope this list was helpful for you. For stocking stuffer ideas, check out our Montessori stocking stuffer guide.

Tell me, what was your child's favorite, and most utilized, gift last year?

Comment below.

Hoping to hear some great responses!

Cheers and don't forget to subscribe!

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Blossom with love

Wednesday 16th of September 2020

Christmas is very important for us and it's a enjoyble day for us. Thanks for the sharing information and keep it up

Shana Watts

Monday 9th of December 2019

Great gift ideas! Magna-tiles are a big hit in our house.

Kristin

Monday 21st of October 2019

These are some very great gift ideas! I love them all. Thanks for sharing!

Rianna Stavrides

Thursday 17th of October 2019

I am currently obsessed with wooden toys for my little one! All your suggestions make me want to buy her more lol

Sue Denym

Thursday 17th of October 2019

We love wooden toys! Glad you do, too!

How to Accept Gifts You Don’t Want – Reach for Montessori

Friday 14th of December 2018

[…] Montessori parents have specific types of toys and activities we like for our children. We like natural materials, toys that require the […]