18 Best Montessori Toys for 2-Year-Olds
They'll love these fun and educational toddler toys!

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When it comes to toddler toys, there are so many options to pick from, and many directions to go in. With so many great toys for 2-year-olds out there, how do you choose?
Some families like to follow the Montessori method, which offers a unique approach to play. "Dr. Maria Montessori invented scientific materials as her approach to 'toys,'" says Helene Bizjak, member of the American Montessori Society and early childhood educator trained under Mary Ellen Maunz, founder of the Authentic Institute of Montessori. "They're designed to isolate the five senses and bring abstract lessons, such as counting, to life through the use of concrete tools that are manipulated by the hands." In Montessori classrooms, she adds, teachers are called guides, and guides try to help a child build up their ability to concentrate on the task at hand for as long as possible. Toys like stackers, counters and memory games aid in that process.
"Practical life lessons such as dressing oneself, cooking and cleaning are aimed to foster independence in young children," Bizjak adds. "Dr. Montessori believed in joyful learning and is famously quoted as saying, 'play is the work of the child.'" Look for toys that work on fine motor coordination to help with these skills, like play sets with lacing or threading, along with toys that encourage pretend play and even child-sized real objects like cups and pitchers that give kids a chance to practice.
Keeping these concepts in mind, these are the best Montessori toys to buy for 2-year-olds in 2023. Most were tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute for quality, and then we added in a few best-sellers from trusted brands who specialize in the Montessori method. Whether you're looking for a gift for kids or want to try out the Montessori method in your own families, these are good toys to start with.
Our top picks
In addition to toys for 2-year-olds, we also added in a few toys for 3-year-old that the toddlers can grow into, along with some furniture items for families who are looking for more ways to incorporate Montessori into their households.

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.


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