What do I love about raising a kid the Montessori way? Even while he’s having fun, our son is learning, not just being entertained. Before I share this list of our favorite Montessori-inspired toys for 5 year olds and 6 year olds, let me share a disclaimer.

There’s technically no such thing as Montessori toys, since Maria Montessori created learning materials, not toys. But the games, books, toys and more in this gift guide build on the skills that kids develop in a Montessori classroom.

Our favorite Montessori toys for 5 year olds and 6 year olds

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Montessori inspired games and STEM toys

Image description: Set of 100 colorful wooden dominos from Hape

Hape Dynamo Dominoes

Shop Small: Purchase from Montessori Services

This colorful 100 piece set of dominoes let’s children create a winding parade. Explore cause and effect and improve hand-eye coordination with these precision cut dominoes.

These toys and gifts extend your child's Montessori learning beyond the classroom! Click through for our full list of our family's favorite educational toys, games, books, and more for Montessori 5 and 6 year olds. #montessoriathome #giftguide — Image description: The Secret Door board game takes place in large, old house.

The Secret Door mystery board game

Kids learn strategy skills, not competition, when they play this cooperative game. The object is to find the stolen valuables before midnight strikes. Players have to search the mansion for clues before the thief slips away.

Mindware Pattern Play

I’m not sure who enjoys this soothing activity more: my son or me! You can use the enclosed cards to build as many as 40 different patterns. Or simply use the wooden blocks to make your own design. Pattern Play is great for building spatial intelligence.

Green Kids Crafts Discovery Boxes

Use code BESTDEAL to get 3 months free on a yearly plan or 2 months free on a 6 month plan, or 25% off anything else in the store.

Green Kids Crafts boxes combine the fun of arts and crafts with the discovery of science and engineering! You can choose between 3, 6, and 12 month subscriptions so that your child gets new projects each month, or you can pick individual boxes with themes such environmental activism, mad scientist, animal science, or introduction to electricity. Items in the boxes are made from quality, eco-friendly, made in the U.S.A. materials.

True to Life Human X-Rays

Most 5 and 6 year olds are very interested in the human body. These life size x-rays will help them understand what the bones they feel beneath their skin actually look like on the inside of their bodies. Children can use the x-rays to guess which bone belongs to which body part, or they can assemble all the x-rays into the full 5’6″ skeleton.

Image description: A wooden robot sits next to a simple circuit board.

Kiwi Crate

Get 20% off (no minimum order size), 25% off orders of $100, or 30% off $150+ with code BLACKFRIDAY (ends 12/3/24).

Kiwi Crate is one of the many STEM themed subscription lines available from Kiwi Co, for ages 5 – 8. Children build toys and games with these kits that incorporate many different science and engineering principles, and the monthly booklet includes many extension activities. My kiddo absolutely loves his KiwiCo subscription and assembles each kit the same day they arrive in the mail! There are also individual Kiwi Crate kits you can purchase.

Image description: This black and yellow tool set from Stanley Jr. offers children real, child-sized tools.

Stanley Jr. 10 piece real working tool set

Montessori families know that with proper supervision and coaching, children can work with real items, including tool sets. This ergonomic, high quality set is created with children’s hand size in mind.

Image descripton: Hape Flexstixs can be used to create a variety of geoemtric shapes.

Hape Flexistix Leonardo’s Elements

Geometry, engineering, and just plain fun come together in this bamboo building set inspired by Leonardo daVinci’s art about natural elements.

Sum Swamp game includes a game board covered in images of a brightly-colored swamp wtih frogs.

Sum Swamp addition and subtraction game

Use addition and subtraction to escape the Endless Loop through the Crocodile Short Cut in this math game that practices operations and teaches greater than and less than principles.

Global Themed Montessori Toys and Books

Use our gift guide to discover the best multicultural toys, dolls, and games for children ages 3 - 10. #giftguide — Image description: Galimoto toy is a child riding a bicycle on a long frame.

Galimoto Girl on a Bicycle

In many different African countries, children make galimoto push toys from wooden sticks and wires. Children can watch this galimoto girl’s legs pedal as the bicycle wheels move. The toy is handmade by artisans in Kenya under Ten Thousand Villages fair trade certification. You can find a galimoto boy on a bicycle here.

You might pair this toy with the book Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams about a Malawian boy who makes his own galimoto.

Image description: A brightly-colored stuffed globe with country names written in large letters.

Hugg-a-Planet Earth

Kids can learn the names of the continents, countries, seas, and more with this sturdy plush earth when they toss this cozy earth like a ball or use it as a pillow in a reading nook.

A Child’s Book of Prayers and Blessings: From Faith and Cultures Around the World

Dr. Montessori had great respect for the spiritual lives of children. This illustrated collection of more than twenty prayers and poems from many faiths helps kids learn how people around the world pray. A perfect book to add to your nighttime reading time with your child.

Little Passports Subscription Boxes

Use code BESTDEAL to take 25% off all subscriptions.

This educational subscription box helps kids discover cultures and countries around the world. Each month, your child will receive a themed activity guide, souvenir, stickers, postcards, and more. If your child is reading well on their own, I recommend the World Edition, but if you’re not quite there yet, our family used the Early Explorers option for several years (pictured above).

Image description: A detailed map of the world placemat covered in heavy plastic.

Geography Placemats

Continue the learning your Montessori kids do in the classroom at the dinner table with these placemats. A world map and maps of each continent are available.

Global Kids books and activities from Barefoot Books

Four interconnected products provide an instant hands-on global curriculum, though each can be used separately as well. Use the Global Kids activity deck to create crafts, prepare simple recipes, and play games from all around the world. Then, dive deeper into each region with Barefoot’s comprehensive World Atlas and accompanying Atlas sticker book. Reinforce geographical knowledge by matching landmarks to their cities with our Cities of the World Memory Game. Sure to provide hours of independent, educational fun.

Image description: 36 piece map of the world with a puzzle bag to carry the pieces on the road.

Mudpuppy Map of the World Puzzle To Go

This travel-friendly 36 piece map of the world puzzle includes illustrations of native animals and major landmarks. It comes with a bag for compactly carrying the puzzle pieces when your child is traveling.

Image description: National Parks map of the USA shows animals, landmarks, and more.

National Parks of the USA Floor Map Puzzle

This sturdy 45 piece floor puzzle introduces children to each of the USA’s National Parks, with landmarks and animals shown for many of the parks.

Montessori Toys: Indoor Movement and Mindfulness Activities

Give gifts that matter this holiday season! I've searched high and low for the best Black Friday deals on educational toys, multicultural kids books, and gifts that help kids explore the world. — Image description: Yoga Pretzels activity card deck with 50 yoga activities and poses for children.

Yoga Pretzels activity deck

This card set helps children build inner peace through playful yoga poses and yoga partner activities. I keep these in our son’s peace area when he needs extra support in calming down, and I’ve also used them for indoor play with groups of children.

Mindful Kids activity deck

This activity deck is full of 50 simple mindfulness activities that children can do alone or as a group. There are sets of activities for starting and ending the day, finding calm in the midst of big feelings, developing focus, opening your heart to others, and rest and relaxation.

Montessori Gifts: Nature, Garden, Music and Crafts

Learn to play with the color chord ukulele

Ukuleles are ideal first instruments for children, and the color-coded markings on this ukulele will make it easy for children to learn chords. This is a real instrument, not a toy, crafted by a leading maker of ukuleles.

Terra Kids Bug Bundle

This fun and educational bundle not only helps children learn about insects, but also helps you introduce beneficial insects to your garden or yard. With adult support, children can build the insect hotel. Other pieces help kids catch and inspect insects under a magnified lens, before setting them free.

Terra Kids Cork Boat

In a short time kids can assemble this cork boat, which is virtually unsinkable because of the environmentally friendly materials it’s made of. A nature walk will help kids find any additional materials they’d like to personalize their boat with.

Image description: Sibley backyard bird matching game in a wooden box.

Sibley Backyard Birds matching game

This matching game includes 20 sets of backyard birds children are likely to see in their communities, including blue jays, sparrows, and hummingbirds.

Melissa and Doug weaving loom

With this sturdy, large loom kit, chldren can weave scarves, coasters, bags, and pouches. This was always a very popular item in my son’s Montessori primary classroom.

Image description: Large wooden easel with blackboard

Deluxe wooden art easel

This deluxe art easel from Melissa and Doug includes a blackboard and whiteboard side, locking paper roll holder, child-safe paper cutter, easy grip clips, and trays for holding art supplies.

Montessori Gifts: Practical Life and Helping Out at Home

Porcelain tea set

Children can practice pouring, sipping, and sharing with this lovely dishwasher safe porcelain tea set sized just right for small hands.

Measure and Mix children’s kitchen set

Kids love helping with baking, but tools made for adults can lead to more slips and spatter. This non-slip batter bowl won’t slide away as kids stir, and the matching measuring cups and spoons are easy to read and have non-slip handles.