1 – Galt Pop Up Toy
2- Magnetic Toddler Toy Catching and Feeding Game
This game has been a huge success with my now 12.5 months old. You will however, need to teach your toddler how to play it, which makes it a great bonding time. This toy is good enough to trigger the child’s curiosity and satisfy the need to stick small things in small holes. Once my baby figured out how to play it, she always comes back to it to play. From a Montessori perspective, this is a great hand and eye coordination activity. This also helps them develop fine motor skills. You can find this toy on Amazon for $19.99 click here.
3 – Playkidiz Super Durable Replacement Balls
The old school ball! Really, what I recommend for you is to look for a light plastic ball that can fit in your child’s small hands. My baby has been asking me to play throw and catch since she was 11 months old, she would crawl grab the ball and put it back on my hand. Great bonding activity too.
From a Montessori perspective, this will fall under the movement skill development. Every muscle of their bodies is hard at work! Find these small balls here!
4- Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack & Baby’s First Blocks Bundle
This set was gifted to my baby when she was 6 months old and still loves it at 1 year old. Yes, it is not made out of wood, however, the purpose of the activity is the same: coordinate and put the donuts through the pole, as well as identifying shape, color and size. She still does not master this, nor the Block Bundle activity, and that is why she keeps being drawn to play with it.
From a Montessori perspective, this one encourages eye-hand coordination. Young toddlers can begin to sequence rings in order from largest to small. Find it here.
5- Elite Montessori Object Permanence Box with Tray and Ball
I definitely recommend you to get this wooden toy from 6 months old, baby will start enjoying how and where the ball goes. This toy is purposely made so that the ball makes a sound when it falls on the wood and pushes it back out. My toddler still enjoys seeing the ball come out of the box.
From a Montessori perspective, it practices precise hand movement, wrist and finger control – also known as “refined hand movements”. Find it here for $22.99.
6- Montessori Multiple Shape Puzzle
If it’s going to be your baby’s very first puzzle, I recommend you to find one that has from 1 to 3 pieces. Also, I recommend that it has small knobs to help refine their grasp. Even if the child is unable to put the pieces back, they are refining their fine motor skill.
My baby is still working on mastering this particular one since she was 6 months old. She can only put the circle one and now slowly working on the other shapes. Find it here for $17.99 on Amazon.
7- Melissa & Doug Band-in-a-Box Clap! Clang! Tap! Musical Instruments
These are the perfect set of instruments for a small toddler. Plus it also comes with it’s little tray. I know it can become a bit noisy at the house BUT toddlers main job is to explore. Exploring sounds, music and rhythm is not the exception. Instruments to shake and strike are perfect for their sense of music development. My toddler adores the maracas, discs and the tambourine. I have not yet introduced her to the other instruments as I want her to really learn what each one can do. You can find this set for $21.99 on Amazon.
