The Best Montessori Toys For 2 Year Olds
Are you looking for the perfect toy to help your 2 year old develop their independence and learn new skills? Montessori toys are an ideal choice to support development at this age. They encourage exploration, imagination, independent play and learning through self-guided activities that make it fun.
Not only are they durable enough to stand up to imaginative play, but they also feature colors, shapes and patterns which can help engage toddlers in ways that traditional toys just don’t do. Today I am going to show you why Montessori toys for 2 year olds are so great and suggest some of our favorite ones!
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Lovevery
While I love buying Montessori toys online, I really LOVE this service that delivers them directly to our house! It’s so simple, I don’t have to think about what to buy, our toddler loves them, and they are always appropriate for his age!
Cleaning Set
My toddler loves to help my husband and I clean around the house so this cleaning set is perfect! He already has the Dyson play vacuum and loves it. This cleaning set inspires pretend play while teaching useful real-life skills.
Lacing Shapes and Colors Pegboard Building Puzzle
The pegboard set has been a lifesaver when it comes to keeping our toddler occupied! This set comes with the pegboard, storage bag, 12 pegs in 12 different colors. Not only are we learning how to sort, but it helps to develop dexterity, and the size is perfect for this age!
Wobble Balance Board
We are still learning how to use the balance board, but you would be surprised at his interest in it! It can be used so many different ways! He can’t balance on top just yet, but loves placing toys on top and rocking it, along with flipping it over and sitting. You know, as if he was riding a horse !
Stringing Beads
Lacing beads are so much fun, I even find myself getting into this activity! We love all things Melissa and Doug, by the way. One reason this makes the favorite list is because he can grow into this toy all while learning fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.
Honeysticks Beeswax Crayons
Sometimes it’s hard to find natural, non toxic art supplies so I immediately put these in the cart! The diameter on these things is huge, which is perfect for toddlers. Not to mention they are made with quality ingredients and are even sustainable.
Train Set
This train set is super cute and great for imaginative play. The price point is just right and you get 39 pieces! They also have a larger version that is battery powered. He loves hooking the pieces together. We are currently working on letting him build his on loop!
Modeling Clay Set
If you ever grab a set of modeling clay I promise you will never buy Play Doh again! It stays fresher, and these come with all the tools you need, including little plastic scissors and rollers.
Wooden Chopping Set
Pretend food sets have really come a long ways since I was a kid! The fruits and veggies are made from wood and are connected by magnets. Kids can chop and dice with the wooden knifes are if they are really prepping! Not only are they getting their playtime in without screens, but it also opens the door to talk about food groups, ingredients, colors, and shapes.
Animal Matching Game
Montessori matching helps kids with memory, focus, and hand eye coordination. It’s also fun to see their reaction to the different animals as well. This set contains 12 cards with their matching figurines. The cards also have words on them, so we can continue to use these as Isiah gets older.
Color Sorting Task
We love this sorting box! It was developed based on Montessori philosophies by Dr. Maria. Not only does it provide simple learning, but all the materials are safe and made from natural wood. There’s also a cup version that looks pretty fun too! It has a dowel with a string and magnet attached to pick up the pieces.
Standing Tower
As much time as I spend in the kitchen developing and shooting recipes I knew we had to get something so our tot could see what was going on! This was the perfect choice and I don’t have to worry about him climbing on other things, but he loves this tower.
Magnifying Glass
We are currently approaching the exploring age, which I am not looking forward to the obsession with bugs and insects! But with this little magnifying glass, I can tell you we will be examining a lot, indoors and out!
Play Kitchen
Isaiah’s cousins have this play kitchen and he is obsessed! Every time we go to their house it’s his first toy he gravitates towards and the one he plays with the longest. This is on his wish list for his second birthday!
Wooden Climbing Toys
I mentioned the tower earlier to prevent climbing, well here’s the full list of some of the amazing climbing toys we own! You would not believe the options out there. So I decided to put together this guide that has reliable brands that promote open ended play and can be used inside and out!
Wooden Puzzles
This pack comes with 6 vibrant puzzles built for boys! We have started using these at home but they would also be great for car rides because the pieces are large enough you don’t have to worry about losing them. They can also be used until 3 years old.
Busy Board
The Montessori busy board offers HOURS of play! This one board has 10 activities that are engaging and also works on building their fine motor skills. Another great idea for car rides.
Frequently Asked Questions About Montessori
Montessori toys are educational materials and activities designed to promote self-directed learning and independence in children, as well as to encourage their natural curiosity and love of exploration. These toys often include simple, natural materials such as wooden blocks, beads, and geometric shapes, as well as more advanced materials such as maps, globes, and puzzles. Additionally, Montessori toys often feature a variety of textures, colors, and shapes, and can be used in a variety of ways to promote different skills such as fine motor development, problem solving, and language learning.
While there are no strict rules about what materials can be used in Montessori toys, many Montessori educators and practitioners prefer to use natural materials such as wood, metal, and glass, rather than plastic. This is because natural materials often have a more tactile and satisfying feel than plastic, and they can also be more durable and long-lasting. Natural materials are often considered to be more in line with the Montessori philosophy of promoting a connection with nature and the environment. The use of plastic toys is not completely banned in Montessori, but it is less preferred, as plastic can be less appealing in terms of sensory qualities, has less educational value and does not align with the Montessori’s principle of connecting with nature.
Montessori toys and materials are generally designed for use with children from the age of 2 to 6 years old, which is considered to be the “absorbent mind” phase of development in Montessori theory. During this phase, children are thought to be particularly receptive to learning and absorb information like a sponge. However, some Montessori materials can be adapted for use with older children, and many parents and educators also use Montessori principles and activities with infants and toddlers. In general, Montessori materials are designed to be self-correcting and to allow children to explore and discover on their own, so they can be used with children of many different ages.
Montessori toys are designed to meet certain educational principles and objectives. They typically promote self-directed learning, encourage hands-on exploration, and are designed to be simple, natural, and open-ended.
Some key characteristics of Montessori toys include:
They are designed to be self-correcting, meaning that the child can understand the correct way to use the toy by themselves.
They are made of natural materials, such as wood or glass, rather than plastic.
They are designed to promote specific skills, such as fine motor skills, problem-solving, or counting.
They are open-ended, meaning that they can be used in multiple ways, allowing children to discover new ways to play and learn with them.
They are often labeled or marketed as Montessori toys. It’s important to note that not all toys labeled Montessori will meet all these criteria, it’s more of a general guideline.
If you’re looking for the best toys for your 2 year old, consider a Montessori toy. These toys are designed to help your child learn and grow while also having fun. There are many different types of Montessori toys available, so you’re sure to find one that your child will love. Plus, these toys are built to last, so you can use them for years to come.
