Time flies, and before you know it, your baby will be celebrating their first birthday. Each day in their first year is a precious opportunity to nurture their growth through meaningful, developmentally appropriate play.
According to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, Montessori-style activities play a critical role in early childhood development by engaging children in purposeful, hands-on play. These activities target executive function, sensory processing, cognitive reasoning, and motor coordination. Toys like lacing beads or stacking rings support fine motor control, while nesting or stacking items develop spatial awareness. Practical life activities (such as washing and wiping) build real-world skills. With its self-directed approach, Montessori play not only fosters brain development but also promotes emotional resilience and confidence. (source)
Below, we list the top 10 Montessori toys that are scientifically backed to support your baby's developmental milestones. And yes, we've included all of them in the MonkiBox PlayBoxes we send you!
0–5 Month
Black and White Toys In these early months, your baby’s vision is limited to 15–30 cm and is still developing. High-contrast images are easier for infants to see and help engage their attention, enhance focus, and strengthen visual memory. Find these in our Look With Me Box.
Child-Safe Mirror Babies are fascinated by faces—especially their own! Mirrors promote social and cognitive development as babies begin to recognize their reflections. By around 18 months, they start to self-identify, so encourage them to giggle and babble at their image. Included in our Look With Me Box.
Black & White Bell Rattle. This toy helps develop visual tracking and sound localization, both crucial for building hand-eye coordination. Early play like this lays the groundwork for reading and writing later on. Get it in our Look With Me Box.
Crinkle Bag. Around 4 months, babies begin to reach and grasp. They’re especially drawn to toys that make noise, have varying textures, and are easy to hold. Our crinkle bag is soft, textured, safe, and machine washable!
Transferring Disc Crossing the midline—the imaginary line dividing the body into left and right—is key to brain coordination. This toy encourages bilateral movement and helps babies develop the coordination needed for dressing, feeding, and writing in the future.
6–12 Months
As your baby nears their first birthday, their brain is developing rapidly. They crave toys that stimulate their senses, develop gross motor skills, and introduce early problem-solving.
According to The Montessori Notebook, activities like peeling stickers or fruit, washing hands, pouring water, or emptying and refilling baskets help build these skills. Object permanence boxes, stacking cups, tissue boxes, and bell socks are fun, hands-on ways to promote independent learning.
Bell Socks. At this stage, babies are still learning that their legs and feet are part of their bodies. Bell socks encourage movement and awareness, which helps prepare them for crawling and walking. Available in our Feel With Me Box.
Rotating Rainbow Cylinder. This vibrant roller strengthens arm and wrist muscles while developing fine motor skills. It prepares your child to use tools like crayons, spoons, or scissors.
Object Permanence Box Around 6–9 months, babies begin to understand object permanence—that objects still exist even when out of sight. This toy supports cognitive development and builds confidence through independent play. Included in our Realize With Me Box
Tissue Box Toy A simple favorite that teaches "containment" as babies empty and refill the box. Made of non-toxic, natural materials, this Montessori-style toy fosters independence, self-direction, and curiosity. Find it in our Discover With Me Box.
Children’s Wallet Babies love imitating adults. Our wallet lets them mimic you by filling and emptying small coin-like objects, developing fine motor skills and encouraging imaginative play.
The Bottom Line
Montessori play doesn’t require fancy toys—just thoughtful, hands-on learning. Create a safe play space, observe what your child is naturally drawn to, and offer one or two toys at a time.
You can also DIY Montessori-style play using everyday items: a treasure basket filled with wooden spoons and fabric scraps, a pasta scooping station, or a color-sorting game using colored paper.
But if you want expertly crafted, science-backed tools that grow with your child, MonkiBox delivers age-appropriate PlayBoxes designed by educators and loved by thousands of parents
→ Discover the perfect box for your child at www.monkibox.com
