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3 min read

I know, I know... we're a little early to talk about the holidays and I don't want you to feel any pressure!

We just had so many shipping issues last year with everyone shopping online that we want just give you a very gentle nudge not to wait until the very last minute if there's something special you'd like to order from us.

Our Top 8 Selling Toys of 2021

Some of our more traditional Montessori materials, although well loved by children, don't always make the best gift ideas.

Grandparents and other family members that are often open to gift suggestions, likely want it to be something that looks a little more exciting to open than a learning tower or toddler kitchen tools.

So, while you won’t find any of these toys in a traditional Montessori classroom, they were chosen for the site because they are still Montessori aligned - useful for developing independence, confidence, and critical thinking.

Montessori Gift Guide

  1. Magnatiles - https://themontessoriroom.com/collections/magna-tiles

Magnetic tiles have got to be one of the most popular toys among children of all ages. Truly, this is a toy your child will play with for 5-10 years.

Not only are MagnaTiles educationally beneficial but they are incredible for open-ended, imaginative play. 

Benefits

  • They are open-ended and versatile; perfect for imaginative play
  • They help to develop critical thinking skills, hand eye coordination, problem solving skills, perseverance, fine motor skills, language development, 2D and 3D shape recognition, patterning, spatial relationships, building skills, concentration and focus. 
    Magnatiles Toronto, Canada, Montessori
2. Tenderleaf Toys Ice Cream Cart - https://themontessoriroom.com/collections/tenderleaf-toys/products/ice-cream-cart

This award winning toy is an amazing option to promote imaginative play that is based in reality. Children at a young age engage in play based on what they see in the world around them - like being at an ice cream shop or an ice cream truck! The best part is that the magnetic ice cream scoop magically picks up ice cream and places it on the cone.

Benefits:

  • Encourages imaginative play based on real life experiences 
  • Helps to develop hand eye coordination
  • Social skills development - taking turns, negotiating, language skills (listening and talking), sharing
  • Develops problem solving skills
  • Role playing helps with emotional development
Tenderleaf Toys Ice Cream Cart, Toronto, The Montessori Room 

3. Holztiger Animals - https://themontessoriroom.com/collections/holtztiger 

These handcrafted wooden animals by Holztiger are beautiful, durable, large, and of the highest quality. They’re great for hours of open-ended play.

Benefits:

  • Helps to develop language skills as they role play and verbalize their thoughts
  • Helps children develop an understanding of nature and animals - use these as a springboard for learning about animals and their habitats
  • Helps to develop emotional intelligence as children use empathy, kindness and respect to deal with different situations involving the animals
  • Encourages movement as children try to reenact an animal's movements or sounds

Holztiger animals toronto, free shipping, The Montessori Room

4. Vilac Fruit and Veggie Cutting Set - https://themontessoriroom.com/collections/vilac/products/fruit-vegetable-cutting-set

This set offers a wonderful blend of Montessori and imaginative play benefits. It allows young children a safe way to practice their cutting skills while also engaging in imaginative play.

Benefits:

  • Helps to develop practical skills 
  • Encourages imaginative play based on real life experiences
  • Helps to develop fine motor skills and dexterity
  • Teaches knife skills
  • Teaches about different foods and healthy eating 
Vilac Fruit and Veggie Cutting Set, free shipping, toronto, canada

5. 12-Tone Metal Xylophone https://themontessoriroom.com/products/metallophone

Research shows that making music can have profound effects on the developing brain.

Benefits:
  • Develops hand-eye coordination
  • Fine and gross motor development
  • Enhances sensory development - movement, balance, hearing, touch
  • Teaches patience, focus and perseverance
  • Teaches about different tones and pitches
  • As children get older, the coloured keys help them differentiate between the different notes and makes remembering notes a lot easier 
Metallophone, 12-tone xylophone, Toronto, Children's instruments, Free shipping
6. Peaceable Kingdom Games - https://themontessoriroom.com/collections/peaceable-kingdom

These are such a fun gift. Most of Peaceable Kingdoms games are award-winning, with a focus on cooperation. They’re great for families that love board games and want to introduce them early to their little ones.

Benefits:

  • Designed to hand-eye coordination, vocabulary and social-emotional skills
  • A great way to teach children how to follow instructions and work together
  • The collaborative nature means that everyone wins, all without diminishing the fun
Peaceable Kingdom Games, Toronto, Canada, Monkey Around, Snug as a Bug, Acorn Soup, Busy Busy Bakeshop,

7.  Blocks in a Truck - https://www.themontessoriroom.com/product-page/wooden-blocks-in-a-truck

For family that are looking to give a beautiful, Made in Canada, heirloom toy, this is the perfect gift. It's incredibly well made and will last generations, even with little rough play.

Benefits:

  • Imaginative play with blocks helps to improve hand-eye coordination, develop mathematical skills and promote creativity.
  • Two toys in one, as the storage container for the blocks is a beautiful and sturdy truck!

Le Trusquin Toronto, Wooden Blocks in A Truck, Montessori Wood Blocks, Free Shipping

8. Brooklyn House [NO LONGER AVAILABLE]

Used for endless hours of imaginative play when combined with peg people, dolls, animals and cars. When not in use for play, this sturdy, durable dollhouse can be used as a bedside table. It can withstand up to 300lbs.

Benefits:

  • It's simplicity allows for many open-ended play scenarios
  • The open back makes it easy to play inside
  • Great for developing social skills and vocabulary

Brooklyn House, Conifer Toys, Free Shipping, Toronto, Canada