Montessori toys for 2 year olds: If you have a toddler, and you are in lockdown, quarantine or it’s just been raining for too many days in a row – you are sure to be on the hunt for some time killing activities – whether familiar with the Montessori way or not, these toys are fantastic for occupying your toddler! These toys come in all different styles, shapes and sizes, ranging from the traditional wooden toys, to make believe farm sets and toddler sized tool kits. Here you will find the best Montessori toys for 2 year olds plus a little guide to what Montessori and Montessori toys specifically are.
So, jump in!
Table of Contents
Our Team’s Top Montessori Toys For 2 Year Olds:
Best Montessori Toy For Brain Development: eeBoo I Never Forget A Face Memory & Matching Game
Best Montessori Climbing Toy: WIWIURKA Climbing Arch
Best Montessori Busy Board: Leisure Dale Busy Board
Best Montessori Toy For Fine Motor Skills: Plan Toys Wooden Beehives Sorting Game
Best Montessori Toy For Hand-Eye Coordination: Melissa & Doug Take-Along Tool Kit
Best Montessori Toy For Building Life Skills: BOBXIN Play Sink With Running Water
Best Montessori Musical Instrument: Bigjigs Toys Wooden Snazzy Xylophone
Best Montessori Toy For Brain Development: eeboo Memory Game
Even though the official guides state that this game is for ages 3 and up, we started playing this with our lot when Freddie was just 2 years old and it was actually amazing watching his little brain tick away trying to remember and match the faces. This toddler montessori game is great for improving concentration , recognition and memory skills.
This great toy ticks the boxes for the following Montessori elements:
- No bells & whistles
- One-task learning toy
Best Montessori Climbing Toy: WIWURKA Climbing Arch
Inspired by a traditional pikler triangle, this climbing arch is great for not only developing toddler gross motor skills but increasing independence and encouraging imaginary play. The Wiwiurka Climbing Arch is the perfect size for your 2 year old and you would be supporting a small, independent business.
This toy ticks the boxes for the following Montessori elements:
- No bells & whistles
- Natural materials
Best Montessori Busy Board: Leisure Dale Busy Board
Toddlers love a busy board – and so do I – the amount of free time this thing gives me is unbelieveable! Whether you purchase this one or not, a busy board is a great investment for your inquisitive little love. I’ve also seen busy boards work really well in montessori classrooms, as more than one toddler can sit and play with it at a time!
Another small business love, this one can be purchased directly from the seller through Etsy.
This toy ticks the boxes for the following Montessori elements:
- Natural elements
- No bells & whistles
Best Montessori Toy For Fine Motor Skills: PlanToys Wooden Beehive Game
Toddlers enjoy playing matching games and playing with toys they can manipulate in different ways, and this toy incorporates all of these elements. 2 year olds may practice their pincer grasp by matching the bees to their honeycombs. For added enjoyment, the wooden honeycombs can be lined up or stacked, which is a great way to improve focus and concentration in your little love.
This toy ticks the boxes for the following Montessori elements:
- Natural elements
- No bells & whistles
Best Montessori Toy For Hand-Eye Coordination: Melissa & Doug Take-Along Tool Kit
Toddlers love to help around the house, and this set of child-size tools hits the spot. If you give your toddler tools that are the right size, it makes many tasks that are otherwise too hard to complete possible – and it will give your toddler a real sense of independence and responsibility.
This toy ticks the boxes for the following Montessori elements:
- Natural elements
- No bells & whistles
- Realistic play things
- Toys with a purpose
Best Montessori Toy For Building Practical Life Skills: BOBXIN Play Sink
When it’s not safe (or practical) to let your toddler play in your kitchen sink, this (and any other similiar models) is a great stand-in. Why? Because the faucet actually works! With the push of the pump, your little one can release a flow of water and practice scrubbing veggies and washing his/her own plate. Cute!
This toy ticks the boxes for the following Montessori elements:
- Realistic play thing
- Toys with a purpose
Best Montessori Musical Instrument: Bigjigs Toys Wooden Xylophone
Musical instruments make for awesome gifts for montessori-loving families as they encourage creativity and self-expression. This beautiful xylophone from Bigjigs toys is a wooden toy which gives it extra bonus points in the Montessori world. Your toddler will love it (your ears – maybe not!)!
This toy ticks the boxes for the following Montessori elements:
- Natural elements
- Toys with a purpose
Montessori Toys for 2 Year Olds: Comparison Table
Name | Our Thoughts | Price | Star Rating | Buy Now |
 | Best Memory Game | $ | ||
Melissa & Doug Take Along Tool Kit  | Best for Budding Tradies | $ | ||
 | Best for Physical Activity | $$$$ | ||
 | For STEM Loving Kids | $$ | ||
 | Best for Brain Trianing | $ | ||
 | Best Quality | $ | ||
 | Fun For Pincer Grip Development | $ | ||
 | Best Budget Buy | $ | ||
 | The Best Marble Run | $$$ | ||
 | For Budding Builders | $$$ | ||
 | Best Sensory Toy | $$ | ||
 | Best for Geometry Skills | $$ | ||
 | Our Favourite | $$$$ | ||
 | Toddler Obsession | $$$$ | ||
 | Best for the Math Lover | $ | ||
 | For Construction Site Lovers | $ | ||
 | For Astronaut Wannabes | $ | ||
 | For A Special Gift | $$$$ | ||
 | Mini grown-up fun | $$ | ||
 | For The Animal Lover | $ | ||
 | Train those kids to do your dishes!! | $ | ||
 | Best for Imaginary Play | $$$$ | ||
 | To Develop Hand-Eye Coordination | $ | ||
 | For Budding Nutritionists | $ |
What is the Montessori Method: A Brief Overview
The Montessori Method, created by Maria Montessori, MD, in 1897, is a child-centered approach to education and development that emphasizes hands-on, multi-sensory activities that children can do at their own speed.
The Montessori philosophy encourages parents and instructors to create a place full with developmentally appropriate toys and games, then let children choose which ones they want to play with (this is based on Montessori’s observations of how children naturally learn.)
What Are Montessori Toys?
The Montessori approach is best introduced to your child in the playroom. But how do you know what counts as a Montessori toy? Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
Natural Elements
Montessori staples include toys made of wood, wool, cotton, metal, ceramic, and even rock, which connect children to nature and are often safer to eat (because who doesn’t know a 2 year old that likes to chew on their toys!)
No Bells & Whistles
Montessori toys are made to help children to explore and learn on their own. Rather than buying complicated toys that move and produce sounds on their own, choose passive items that your child must physically operate themselves and include in their pretend play.
Realistic Play Things
Montessori toys are realistic and lifelike, providing a wonderful opportunity to learn about the world around us. Trying to decide between a stuffed dragon and an elephant? Choose an animal that you and your child will be able to visit and learn about later at the zoo.
One-task Learning Toys
Look for educational toys that focus on a single ability at a time. Montessori toys should also feature a built-in “mistake-controller,” which allows children to see if they’ve done the activity correctly.
Toys With a Purpose
Montessori toys can also be child-sized things that allow children to participate in job-like activities such as raking leaves on their own. A child is drawn in by purpose, and makes him or her feel competent and significant in their world.
Why trust My Toddler Life?
My Toddler Life is run by mum’s, for mum’s. All information provided on our site is thoroughly researched and takes in to consideration our lived experiences and the opinions of industry professionals. How are we different from other sites doing the same thing? We have fun while doing it (often with a glass of wine in hand) and don’t take ourselves too seriously!
To wrap it all up: Montessori Toys for 2 Year Olds
Thank you for making it this far with me. I hope that at least one of these tips & images resonates with you & your family when it comes to your hunt for the best Montessori toys for your 2 year old – I am here to help. And if you are after some ideas of how to incorporate more Montessori into your 2 year old’s life – check out our Montessori Curriculum post here.. We’ve had a look at an overview of the Montessori method & Montessori toys – and I’ve then provided a breakdown of the best Montessori toys for 2 year olds based off personal experience, friends experience and the advice of experts. (In the right place, or do you need our 3 year old Montessori toy guide?). I hope it’s all been helpful – please comment below with any tips I may have forgotten! For more developmental toddler toys, check out our guide on Pikler Climbing Frames
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