Are Montessori Toys Worth It? We Tested Them on Our Chaos Gremlins So You Don’t Have To
If you've ever Googled “best toys for toddlers,” you've probably been hit with a flood of pastel stacking cups, wood everything, and words like “Montessori-inspired.” But what does that actually mean? And are these toys really better—or just more expensive?
We put some of the most popular Montessori toys to the test (on our own adorable tornadoes), and here’s what we found.
First Things First: What Is a Montessori Toy?
In classic Montessori style, toys should be:
- Simple – no lights, no batteries, no chaos
- Purposeful – a real skill, not just noise
- Beautiful – yes, that matters—kids notice
- Child-led – encourage discovery, not directions
And guess what? That doesn’t mean they have to be boring or rigid. At Quiggly, we take the Montessori-aligned approach—but with a big ol’ dose of real life.
What to Look For (and What to Avoid)
Worth it:
- ✅ Open-ended wooden blocks
- ✅ Cause-and-effect toys (like a tissue box pull toy)
- ✅ Toys that mimic real life (like, say, a toy spray mop)
Not worth it:
- ❌ 47-piece plastic shape sorters that take 90 minutes to clean up
- ❌ “Montessori” toys with glittery dinosaurs
- ❌ Activity boards with 9 zippers but no logical purpose
Quiggly Picks by Age
🍼 Newborn–12 months:
- Black & White High Contrast Set – built for visual tracking + tummy time
- Montessori Tissue Box – safe for mouthing, oddly satisfying to pull
- Bonus: zero polyester. Because babies eat everything.
👶 12–24 months:
- Wooden Rainbow Blocks – stack, topple, build, repeat
- Toy Spray Mop – part toy, part parenting hack
- Soft Fabric Blocks – chew-safe and couch-friendly
👧 2–4 years:
- Magnetic Alphabet Maze – great for pre-literacy and fine motor
- Wooden Block Set – still open-ended, now with more structure
- Kids Cleaning Set – team up with a sibling and make chores fun (or at least tolerable)
So... Are Montessori Toys Worth It?
If you like:
- ✔️ Fewer toys that last longer
- ✔️ Less clutter and more creativity
- ✔️ Toys that actually get played with...
Then yes. Montessori-style toys are absolutely worth it. Just don’t fall for overpriced plastic knockoffs with a beige filter slapped on.
Ready to Try Montessori(ish) the Quiggly Way?
We make toys that are:
- Montessori-aligned (but chill about it)
- Beautiful enough for your living room
- Durable enough for your wild child
👉 Explore our Montessori collection — because playtime shouldn’t come with a pile of guilt or clutter.