Montessori Toys for Toddlers: 4 Wooden and Magnetic Picks Worth Considering

Choosing Montessori toys for toddlers can feel like a lot once you start scrolling through page after page of options that all claim to be educational. The toys that genuinely fit the Montessori approach tend to share a few things in common: open-ended play, natural materials, and no batteries, lights or sounds competing for your child’s attention. Below, we’ve gathered four wooden and magnetic toys currently available that fit this description, including one newer option that’s just arrived in the category.

What you’ll learn in this article:

• What to look for when choosing Montessori toys for toddlers, and why open-ended play matters
• A closer look at four established wooden and magnetic toys, including pricing, ratings and what parents tend to say about them
• An introduction to Forest Friends by CoBéBé, a recently launched addition to the Montessori toy space

This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy something through one of these links, CoBéBé may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect which products we’ve included or how we’ve described them — we’ve aimed to give you an honest picture either way.

When it comes to Montessori toys for toddlers, simplicity tends to win out. A toy that can be used in more than one way, that doesn’t do all the work for the child, and that’s made from materials that feel good in small hands will usually get more genuine playtime than something flashier. With that in mind, here’s what we found.

HABA Tree Maze Magnetic Game

The HABA Tree Maze Magnetic Game (£20.95, available on Amazon UK) is a wooden board with a tree-shaped maze and a magnetic wand used to guide small coloured balls along the paths. It’s rated 4.6 out of 5 from 901 reviews, and is recommended for children from 24 months upwards, though HABA’s toys are often played with well into the school years.

Key features:

• Wooden board with an enclosed maze, so loose pieces don’t go missing
• Magnetic wand for guiding balls along winding paths
• Compact, travel-friendly size
• Encourages calm, focused solo play

This toy supports fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and patience, as children learn to manoeuvre the balls without losing their place in the maze. Many parents describe it as a toy that holds up well over time and gets pulled out again and again, including on car journeys and flights. A recurring comment in reviews is that younger toddlers may need some help getting started, as the maze can be a bit fiddly for the smallest hands at first.

Coogam Wooden Shape Peg Puzzle

The Coogam Wooden Shape Peg Puzzle (£19.99, available on Amazon UK) is a chunky wooden pegboard puzzle featuring various shapes in different colours, each with an easy-grip knob. It currently holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating from 713 reviews, making it one of the higher-rated options in this list.

Key features:

• Large, knobbed pegs designed for toddler hands
• Bright, colour-coded shapes for early recognition skills
• Solid wooden base and pieces
• Simple, repeatable activity with a clear sense of completion

As a first puzzle, this one supports shape and colour recognition, fine motor development, and the satisfaction of matching a piece to its slot. It’s often mentioned as a good option for younger toddlers who are just starting out with puzzles. On the downside, some reviewers note that once a toddler has mastered it, the challenge level doesn’t increase much, so it may get less attention after the first few months.

Melissa & Doug Hide and Seek Farm

The Melissa & Doug Hide and Seek Farm (£19.99, available on Amazon UK) is a wooden farm-themed puzzle where each animal piece lifts out to reveal a matching picture underneath. With 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,785 reviews, it’s the most widely reviewed product on this list and a long-standing favourite among parents looking for Montessori toys for toddlers.

Key features:

• Chunky farm animal pieces with easy-grip knobs
• Hidden illustrations underneath each piece add an element of discovery
• Sturdy wooden frame designed for repeated use
• Farm theme that lends itself to naming, sounds and storytelling play

This toy is good for fine motor skills, vocabulary building, and early matching and memory skills, as toddlers begin to remember which picture sits under which animal. Parents often mention that the hide-and-reveal design keeps toddlers interested for longer than a standard puzzle. A common criticism is that the painted surfaces can show wear, particularly chipping, after extended use, which is worth knowing if you’re hoping the toy will last through more than one child.

Forest Friends by CoBéBé

Forest Friends by CoBéBé (£29.99, available on Amazon UK) is a newer option in this category, designed for children aged 36 months to 6 years. As a recently launched product, it doesn’t yet have a review history on Amazon, so we can’t comment on how it’s been received by parents — but we can describe what it offers based on its current listing.

Key features (as listed):

• Wooden, open-ended design with a forest animal theme
• No batteries, screens or electronic sounds
• Designed around independent, child-led play
• Aimed at children from toddler age through to early primary years

Recently launched and designed around the same open-ended principles as the other toys on this list, Forest Friends sits in the same general category as the products above — open-ended wooden play rather than something with a single “correct” outcome. Because it’s so new, there isn’t yet a track record of reviews to draw on, so if you’re considering it, it may be worth treating it as one to watch rather than a known quantity just yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a toy “Montessori”?

There’s no official certification that makes a toy “Montessori,” but the term is generally used to describe toys that are open-ended, made from natural materials, and designed to be used independently by the child rather than requiring an adult to operate them. Montessori toys for toddlers typically avoid batteries, screens and pre-programmed sounds, leaving more room for a child to explore at their own pace.

What age is appropriate for Montessori-style wooden toys?

This varies by toy, and it’s worth checking the manufacturer’s stated age range and any safety warnings before buying, particularly for toys with small parts or magnets. Many wooden puzzles and activity boards are designed for children from around 12 months to 3 years, while others, like magnetic mazes, are often recommended from 2 or 3 years upwards due to choking hazard considerations with small pieces.

Are screen-free toys actually better for toddlers?

Many parents and early years professionals favour screen-free play because it tends to involve more hands-on problem solving, imagination and physical movement. Montessori toys for toddlers are designed with this in mind, giving children the chance to direct their own play rather than following along with something on a screen. That said, what matters most for most families is having a mix of activities that suit their child and their routine.

How many toys does a toddler actually need?

It’s a common misconception that more toys means more learning. Many parents who lean towards a Montessori approach find that having fewer toys, rotated occasionally, helps toddlers engage more deeply with each one rather than being overwhelmed by choice. A handful of well-made, open-ended toys can often go further than a large collection of single-purpose ones.

Are wooden toys safer than plastic ones?

Not automatically — safety depends on the specific toy, its construction, and any small or detachable parts, regardless of material. Wooden toys are often preferred for durability and because they tend to avoid some of the chemicals associated with certain plastics, but it’s still worth checking age recommendations, weight, and any safety warnings before buying, particularly for toys involving magnets or small pieces.

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