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The 15 Best Montessori 1 Year Old Toys

Shopping for Montessori toys for 1-year-olds can be both fun and frustrating – they have developed so many new skills, but there is still so much they can't do.

Fortunately, there are plenty of toy options out there that are age-appropriate and considerate of a young toddler's milestones.

In this article, you will get suggestions on 16 amazing Montessori 1-year-old toys that your child is sure to enjoy.

image of wooden montessori 1 year old toys.

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What types of toys do one-year-olds enjoy?

At 12 months old, many children are learning how to pull themselves to the standing position, crawl, and/or walk.

Babies at this age are also fascinated by their own ability to pick up small items using a pincer grasp.

In addition to the gross and fine motor milestones stated above, 1-year-olds are coming into their own as budding scientists; exploring everything they can get their hands on.

1-year-olds enjoy a wide variety of toys and activities ranging from puzzles to climbing toys and everything in between.

No two children are the same, nor are their development or interests the same.

It's important to maintain a variety of toys for your one-year-old and rotate them out based on their interests and developmental needs.

15 awesome Montessori 1 year old toys

Car run

Car runs make excellent Montessori toys for 1-year-olds.

You can expect your 1-year-old to play with this toy for quite a while, as visualizing the cars traveling down the track satisfies schematic play, which begins in the infant stage and continues into the preschool years.

The cars can be used with other toys and on their own, as well.

Sale
Play22 Wooden Car Ramps Race – 4 Level…
  • Great Gift For Birthday And Holidays For Toddlers Kids Boys &…
  • Toddler Toys For 18 Months Old and older Boy And Girl Gifts…
  • Wooden Car Ramp Early Educational & Fun Toys STEM Educational Toy…

Coin box

Toddlers, around the age of 12 months, often become fascinated with the concept of object permanence and they very much enjoy posting activities.

Coin boxes are very satisfying for young children during this stage.

Adena Montessori Coin Box,Object…
  • This toy is the next level challenge to the traditional object…
  • Although coins fit into the holes in every position, your child…
  • This enhances hand-eye coordination, attention, and curiosity…

Ball Tracker

If your 1-year-old enjoys throwing things to see how they land, this ball tracker will help satisfy that need (and save a few breakable items around your home.)

Tiger Montessori Ball Tracker for Baby…
  • Visual tracking ability refers to the ability to follow and track…
  • Improve the visual breadth and speed by training children's…
  • Sensory aids for 0 to 3 years old can exercise children's…

Climbing triangle

Climbing triangles, like this Montessori Climber triangle, are extremely popular toys for 1-year-olds. This model of Pikler is durable and simple in its design.

If you are looking for a gross motor toy that your child will use for years, this is something to consider.

image of piccalio pikler triangle.
Piccalio Pikler Triangle

Color sorting & stacking rings

This toy was purchased for my daughter on her first birthday and we still have it 6 years and 2 children later.

This toy is great for fine motor development, color matching, and its pieces can be used for loose parts play activities.

Montessori Toys for Babies 6-12 Months…
  • 🌈【Montessori Shape Sorter】: This shape puzzle of stacking…
  • 🌈【Jumbo Knob Very Suitable for Small Hands】: The giant…
  • 🌈【Baby Preschool Enlightenment Toys】: This wooden peg…

Ball pounding toy

In the same vein as the ball-tracking toy, this pounding toy helps to satisfy a 1-year-old's need to explore how objects fall.

This one, however, comes with a child-safe hammer, which babies enjoy a lot.

Durable Pound A Ball Toys for Toddler,…
  • FINE MOTOR PROMOTION: This Multi-color pound a ball is ideal for…
  • KID FRIENDLY: The design of hammer and balls are specially made…
  • EASY PLAY: The smooth-sanded balls Drop down after…

Musical instrument set

1-year-olds enjoy experimenting with different sounds and rhythms.

A set of small musical instruments is a must-have for Montessori homes.

Stoie’s International Wooden Music Set…
  • Inspire budding musicians: featuring 1 tambourine, 1 castanet, 1…
  • Explore different cultures: with 10 unique international wooden…
  • Family bonding time: Our baby drum set fill your home with the…

Bead maze

Bead mazes are great toys for 1-year-olds, as babies really enjoy tracking the beads along their paths to find out where they will end up.

Melissa & Doug Classic Bead Maze -…
  • Multi-shaped and brightly colored wooden beads swoop and slide…
  • 18 wooden beads in a variety of shapes and sizes are easy to grip…
  • Sturdy wooden base

Simple puzzle

Visual discrimination, spatial reasoning, and fine motor skills are all developed through the use of puzzles.

Babies and young toddlers enjoy simple puzzles, like this shapes puzzle.

Montessori Toys for Babies 6-12 Months…
  • 🌈【Montessori Shape Sorter】: This shape puzzle of stacking…
  • 🌈【Jumbo Knob Very Suitable for Small Hands】: The giant…
  • 🌈【Baby Preschool Enlightenment Toys】: This wooden peg…

Hammering toy

One-year-olds enjoy banging on things to see what happens.

This hammering toy allows babies to look below the surface to discover what has happened to the peg they have hammered.

Sale
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Pound-A-Peg…
  • Classic pounding activity
  • Color recognition and hand/eye coordination
  • Hammer included

Rocker & Climber

My children all started using our rainbow rocker at around 1 year old, for pulling to stand and on through the years for various other activities.

These are great toys for Montessori-inspired playspaces.

Waldorf Rocker Board for Toddlers – Safe…
  • DEVELOPMENTAL BENEFITS – Rocking on the board sparks children's…
  • DUAL USE – The versatile toy can be used as a rocking toy, or it…
  • PROFESSIONAL GRADE – The rocking board is precisely made, and is…

Wooden wagon

Push walkers are popular Montessori 1-year-old toys.

Getting a 2-in-1 push walker/wagon is a great idea since young toddlers enjoy exploring ways to transport items from one place to another.

Sale
Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon, Sit to…
  • BABY PUSH WALKER: The Classic Walker Wagon has resistance…
  • FURNITURE BUMPER: The furniture friendly bumper protects your…
  • TOY STORAGE: The Classic Walker Wagon doubles as a toy box. Your…

Infant balance bike

Balance bikes are amazing toys for 1-year-olds, but even the smallest sizes of standard-style balance bikes can be difficult for young toddlers to use, which can be really frustrating for them.

The bike featured below is a perfect first ride-on toy.

Sale
SEREED Baby Balance Bike for 1-2 Year…
  • GROW IN FUN: Recommended ages for 12-24 months. The infant…
  • SAFELY RIDE: No pedal and fully widened closed wheel to avoid…
  • STURDY & COMFORTABLE DESIGN: The mini balance bike equips sturdy…

Giant soft building blocks

One-year-olds enjoy building, as well as exerting themselves physically.

These giant building blocks give 1-year-olds heavy work benefits while they build.

ECR4Kids SoftZone Toddler Foam Building…
  • Building Blocks: Seven soft foam blocks for babies and toddlers…
  • Developmental Play: Brightly colored blocks encourage little ones…
  • Kid-Friendly Design: Blocks are safe and lightweight; the set…

Foam play couch

Last, but certainly not least, is the Monboxy play couch. This brand of foam play couch is handmade and highly rated.

Foam play couches are great toys for one-year-olds, as they provide age-appropriate opportunities for gross motor and imaginative play.

Lunix LX15 14pcs Modular Kids Play…
  • While other play couch sets have limited shapes and a few pieces…
  • Your children deserve the best! Unleash the creativity of your…
  • Our mission is to improve the quality of life! With the LX15…

I hope you have found some toy suggestions that your one-year-old Montessori child will enjoy. My own children have enjoyed the items on this list and I highly recommend all of them.

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