Montessori toys for a 1-year-old: 8 good choices

Good Montessori toys for a 1-year-old are simple and let your child practise for themselves whatever is occupying them right now: stacking, putting in and taking out, sorting and moving. Think of stacking blocks, a shape sorter, sensory balls, knob puzzles and simple musical instruments. Below you’ll read, toy by toy, what it practises and what to look out for.

What can a 1-year-old do and what are they looking for in toys?

Around their first birthday, your child starts exploring the world more actively. Many 1-year-olds pull themselves up, cruise along furniture or take their first steps. They pick up small things between thumb and index finger, put objects into a tub and take them out again, and love throwing things to see what happens. Putting everything in their mouth is still part of it too.

Montessori toys tie in with this by letting your child discover in a way that suits their developmental level and their own pace. They encourage exploration, support fine motor skills, promote problem-solving and leave room for creativity. You can read what Montessori toys are in general in all about Montessori toys. You’ll find a broader overview of development during this year in toys and development at age 1.

Which Montessori toys suit a 1-year-old?

Toy	What your child practises	Tip
Stacking blocks	fine motor skills, balance, shapes and colours	start with a few large blocks
Sensory balls	touch, grasping, cause and effect	roll the ball back and forth together
Shape sorter	problem-solving, recognising shapes	start with one or two shapes
Knob puzzles	pincer grip, matching shapes, patience	choose puzzles with 3 to 5 pieces
Musical instruments	rhythm, listening, cause and effect	let your child experiment freely
Stacking cups or rings	big and small, order, fitting inside each other	fun in the bath too
Box with lid and objects	putting in and taking out, object permanence	only use large objects
Push-along walker	gross motor skills, balance, first steps	choose a sturdy, stable model

1. Stacking blocks

Simplicity of design is a core principle of Montessori materials, and stacking blocks fit that perfectly. Your child discovers shapes and colours, but also balance and gravity: why does the tower fall over? Building and knocking down practises fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination. At this age, knocking down is often even more fun than stacking, and that’s fine.

2. Sensory balls

Balls with different textures invite exploration with hands and mouth, which is completely natural for a 1-year-old. They support the sense of touch and are ideal for simple games that show cause and effect: one push, and the ball rolls away. A ball rolling away is also a good reason to start crawling or walking.

3. Shape sorters

A shape sorter practises problem-solving and refines fine motor skills. Your child has to recognise a shape, find the right opening and turn the shape until it fits. That’s a first introduction to geometric shapes. The toy is also self-correcting: if it doesn’t fit, your child tries another opening. Start with one or two simple shapes, such as a circle and a square.

4. Simple puzzles

Puzzles with large pieces and recognisable objects or animals are ideal for children around 1 year old. They practise matching shapes, patience and focus. Choose puzzles with knobs or other easy-to-grip elements so your child can pick up the pieces themselves. You can read more about the right puzzle for each age in how to choose the right puzzle for each age.

5. Musical instruments

Simple instruments, such as a tambourine, a drum or a xylophone, are great for experimenting with sound and rhythm. Your child discovers that hitting harder makes a louder sound. Making music is also a way to express emotions and is often a source of lots of fun. Choose instruments on which your child makes the sound themselves, rather than toys that play songs by themselves.

6. Stacking cups or stacking rings

Stacking cups show that the small cup fits inside the big one and not the other way round. Your child learns about big and small, order and space. Cups are versatile: stacking, nesting, turning upside down and pouring water in the bath. Silicone stacking cups are soft, easy to grip and can withstand the teeth of curious toddlers.

7. Box with lid and objects

A simple box that your child can put large objects into and take them out of again ties in with the phase in which everything has to go in and out. It also practises object permanence: the understanding that something is still there even when you can’t see it. Only use objects that are too large to swallow.

8. Push-along walker

Children who are pulling themselves up and taking their first steps often love a sturdy push-along walker. It practises balance and gross motor skills. Your child doesn’t need to walk early: every child does so at their own pace, and crawling and pulling up are just as valuable.

How do you set out Montessori toys for a 1-year-old?

• A few at a time. Put three to five toys on a low shelf or in an open basket. That way your child can see what’s there and choose for themselves.
• Rotate regularly. Put some of the toys away and bring them out again after a week or two.
• Follow your child. Notice that your child keeps putting things in and out of a tub? Then offer more toys that allow for that.
• Demonstrate, then step back. Calmly show once how something works and then let your child try it themselves.
• Let them repeat. Doing the same thing over and over again is exactly how a 1-year-old learns.

Would you like to know how toys like these support concentration and independence? Then read how Montessori toys contribute to development.

What should you look out for in terms of safety?

With a 1-year-old, safety always comes first. Pay attention to these points:

• No small parts. A 1-year-old still puts lots of things in their mouth. Anything small enough to swallow or that can come loose poses a choking risk.
• Age label and CE marking. Toys sold in Europe must meet the European safety requirements for toys (the EN 71 standards). Look out for the warning “not suitable for children under 36 months”.
• Safe materials. Choose toys without harmful substances and with a smooth finish without splinters or sharp edges.
• Sturdy enough. Toys must be able to withstand throwing, biting and curious play.
• Check regularly for cracks, loose parts and wear.
• Stay close by, especially with water, walkers and new toys.

Toys from this article

• stacking blocks
• wooden shape sorter
• large-piece puzzle for 1-year-olds
• silicone stacking cups

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Montessori toys for a 1-year-old?

Stacking blocks, a shape sorter, sensory balls, knob puzzles and simple musical instruments are good choices. They tie in with what a 1-year-old loves to do: stacking, putting in and taking out, throwing and experimenting. Choose what suits your own child’s interests.

How many toys does a 1-year-old need?

Fewer than you think. Three to five toys at a time is enough, as long as you rotate regularly. That way toys stay interesting and your child can concentrate better.

Isn’t a shape sorter too difficult for a 1-year-old?

A sorter with lots of shapes can be tricky at first. Start with one or two simple shapes, such as a circle, and calmly show how it works. At around eighteen months, more shapes often go better.

Are silicone toys suitable for a 1-year-old?

Yes, silicone toys are soft, flexible and easy to grip, and they can withstand biting. That makes them suitable for a child who still puts lots of things in their mouth. Do check the age label and inspect them regularly for damage.

My 1-year-old knocks everything over. Is that a problem?

No, that’s completely normal. Throwing and knocking things over is a 1-year-old’s way of discovering cause and effect. Offer toys that can withstand it, such as soft balls and sturdy blocks.