Montessori toys have become a favorite among parents of toddlers—and for good reason. They’re simple, educational, and support how children naturally learn. The good news? You don’t need to spend a lot. You can create DIY Montessori toys for 1 year old children using everyday items.
These handmade Montessori toys are not only budget-friendly but also deeply engaging. This post shares affordable, handmade ideas that follow Montessori principles and are perfect for curious 1-year-olds.
Why Handmade Montessori Toys Work So Well
DIY Montessori toys for 1 year old children follow the core Montessori philosophy—simplicity, function, and hands-on learning. These toys encourage real-world skills using natural materials, which are perfect for curious toddlers who learn best through touch and repetition.
By making toys at home, you become an active part of your child’s development. You get to observe their interests—whether it’s pulling, stacking, or fitting—and create handmade Montessori toys that match their learning stage. This personalized approach keeps your child engaged and supports focused, independent play.
Another significant benefit is cost. Homemade toys are budget-friendly because they’re often made from items you already have. You can upcycle fabric scraps, jars, cardboard, and other household materials into creative learning tools.
DIY Montessori toys are also eco-friendly, as they reduce waste and promote sustainability. With just a few materials and a little time, you can build toys that help your child grow while supporting both your wallet and the environment.
Key Principles of Montessori Toys for 1-Year-Olds
When creating DIY Montessori toys for 1 year old children, it’s essential to follow a few core Montessori principles. These guidelines help ensure the toys are both educational and age-appropriate.
- Focus on One Skill at a Time
Each toy should target a single skill, such as grasping, sorting, or stacking. This helps toddlers build concentration and avoid confusion.
- Use Natural or Sensory-Friendly Materials
Handmade Montessori toys should incorporate materials such as wood, fabric, felt, or metal. These are safer, more soothing to the touch, and support sensory development.
- Encourage Independence and Exploration
Montessori toys are designed to be explored independently. Your child should be able to use the toy independently, building confidence through hands-on discovery.
- Avoid Overstimulation
Skip flashing lights, music, and plastic. Simple toys allow deeper focus and engagement.
- Include Self-Correcting Features
Toys like shape sorters or stacking rings help children recognize and fix mistakes on their own, building early problem-solving skills.
Must-Have DIY Materials You Can Use at Home
You don’t need expensive tools or supplies to make DIY Montessori toys for 1 year old children. Many of the best materials are already in your kitchen drawers or recycling bin. Here are some essential materials to keep on hand:
- Wooden spoons, bowls, and trays
- Fabric scraps or felt pieces
- Empty cardboard tubes and small boxes
- Small jars with twist-on lids
- Pom-poms, rings, clothespins, egg cartons, and shoelaces
- Smooth pebbles or wooden balls
These simple items can support fine motor development, sensory play, and independent exploration. They’re perfect for crafting handmade Montessori toys that align with Montessori principles.
Safety is key when using household items. Always make sure the pieces are large enough to prevent choking. Supervise your child closely during play and avoid objects that are sharp or breakable. When used safely, these materials offer endless possibilities for creative learning at home.
10 DIY Montessori Toys for 1-Year-Old
Pom-Pom Push Box- DIY Montessori Toys for 1-Year-Old
The Pom-Pom Push Box is one of the simplest yet most effective DIY Montessori toys for toddlers aged 1 year old.
All you need is a small plastic container that has a lid; it can be a coffee can or a yogurt tub. Cut several holes in the lid, just large enough for a pom-pom to fit through. Then, gather a handful of soft pom-poms in various colors and textures.
Show your child how to push each pom-pom through the holes one at a time. Initially, they may require a demonstration, but they’ll quickly catch on. This toy helps develop hand-eye coordination, finger strength, and concentration.
To keep things fresh, replace the pom-poms with other soft objects, such as felt balls or cotton pads. You can also change the hole sizes to introduce a new challenge.
This is a fantastic example of a handmade Montessori toy that encourages repetition, patience, and independent play—all while using safe, low-cost materials you already have at home.
Fabric Sensory Basket
A Fabric Sensory Basket is an excellent DIY Montessori toy for 1 year old children that’s easy to make and rich in learning opportunities.
Gather a variety of fabric scraps—such as cotton, silk, felt, denim, and wool—and place them in a shallow basket or tray. Ensure each piece is large enough to eliminate any choking risk and has clean, finished edges.
Encourage your child to explore the basket with their hands. Let them crinkle, fold, rub, and squeeze each fabric. As they touch each texture, name it out loud: “This is soft,” “This one feels rough,” or “This is smooth.” This builds both sensory awareness and early language skills.
Rotate the fabrics weekly to keep your child interested. You can even introduce light scents by placing a drop of lavender or chamomile on a corner of a fabric scrap.
This is a safe, simple, and engaging handmade Montessori toy that stimulates the senses and promotes independent exploration.
DIY Posting Toy with a Coffee Can
A DIY Posting Toy made from a coffee can is a fun and functional DIY Montessori toy for 1 year old toddlers. Take an empty container like the ones that contain oatmeal or coffee or any other sturdy round container with a plastic lid. Cut a narrow slit in the lid, just wide enough for flat items like large buttons, poker chips, or wooden coins to pass through.
Introduce the toy by showing your child how to post each item through the slot. This repetitive action helps develop fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and early problem-solving skills. It also introduces the concept of object permanence—understanding that things still exist even when out of sight.
To keep the toy fresh, rotate the posting items every week. Try different shapes, sizes, or textures. Always ensure pieces are too large to swallow and supervise closely during play. This simple, handmade Montessori toy offers meaningful learning with minimal cost or effort.
Egg Carton Color Sorter
The Egg Carton Color Sorter is another one of the easy and engaging DIY Montessori toys for 1 year old children. Start with an empty egg carton and paint the inside of each cup a different color using non-toxic paint. Let it dry completely before use.
Gather pom-poms or small balls that match the colors you’ve painted. Show your child how to match each pom-pom to its corresponding colored cup.
This simple sorting game supports color recognition, hand-eye coordination, and basic categorization skills. It also encourages focus and independence, key Montessori principles. For added creativity, involve your toddler in painting the carton to make the process more engaging.
Rotate the pom-poms weekly or add new colors as your child grows. Always supervise play to ensure safety, especially with small objects. This fun, handmade Montessori toy is low-cost, educational, and easy to customize for your child’s needs.
Ring Stack with Curtain Rings and Paper Towel Roll
This Ring Stack toy is an excellent example of a simple, effective DIY Montessori toy for 1 year old toddlers. All you need is a cardboard paper towel roll and a few curtain rings.
Use smooth, lightweight plastic or wooden rings, making sure they’re large enough not to pose a choking hazard. Secure the cardboard tube upright by gluing or taping it to a piece of cardboard or any wooden board, something sturdy so it holds its shape.
Show your child how to slide the rings down the tube one by one. This activity builds fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and an early understanding of size and spatial awareness.
As your child stacks the rings, they also explore cause and effect—what happens if the tower topples or if they add too many at once?
This handmade Montessori toy is easy to make, budget-friendly, and supports multiple developmental milestones in a fun, hands-on way.
Pull Toy with Fabric Tissues
The Pull Toy with Fabric Tissues is a charming and simple DIY Montessori toy for 1 year old toddlers.
Start with an empty tissue box or a small container with an opening. Instead of tissues, fill it with soft fabric scraps, lightweight scarves, or felt pieces. Make sure the fabrics are safe, clean, and large enough to avoid choking hazards.
Show your child how to pull the fabric pieces out one at a time through the opening. This repetitive action helps build hand-eye coordination and fine motor skill. It also teaches the concept of cause and effect. Your child will be fascinated by the surprise element—never knowing which fabric will come next.
Because the toy can be refilled endlessly, it keeps your child engaged over time without extra cost. The softness and textures of the fabrics also provide gentle sensory stimulation. This handmade Montessori toy is an affordable, sustainable way to encourage independent play and motor development.
Simple Shape Puzzle from Cardboard
A Simple Shape Puzzle is a fantastic DIY Montessori toy for 1 year old toddlers that encourages early problem-solving and shape recognition.
To make this toy, cut out large, basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles from sturdy cardboard. Then, create matching outlines on a larger cardboard sheet to serve as the puzzle base.
Show your child how to fit each shape into its corresponding cut-out. This activity supports the growth of dexterity, coordination between hands and eyes, and understanding of spatial relationships. It also introduces your toddler to basic geometric concepts in a playful way.
As your child becomes more confident, you can add more shapes or experiment with different sizes to increase the challenge. Using recycled cardboard keeps this project budget-friendly and eco-conscious.
This handmade Montessori toy is easy to customize, safe to use, and perfect for supporting independent exploration and learning through play. It’s a simple, effective way to build foundational skills.
Shoelace Threading Board
A Shoelace Threading Board is a fantastic DIY Montessori toy for 1 year old toddlers that promotes fine motor skills and concentration. Start by punching a series of holes in a piece of thick cardboard.
You can arrange the holes in a straight line, simple shape, or pattern depending on your child’s ability. Make sure the cardboard is sturdy enough to prevent tearing during play.
Provide a clean shoelace with one end taped or knotted to make threading easier and safer. Show your child how to thread the lace through the holes one by one. This activity helps develop hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and early sequencing skills as they learn to follow a path.
Keep the number of holes limited to match your toddler’s skill level and prevent frustration. This simple handmade Montessori toy encourages patience, focus, and independent play while using inexpensive, everyday materials. It’s a creative and educational way to support your child’s development at home.
Muffin Tin Sorting Game
The Muffin Tin Sorting Game is yet another one of simple and engaging DIY Montessori toys for 1 year old toddlers.
Use a standard muffin tin and place a variety of small objects like pom-poms, large buttons, or fabric balls on the floor nearby. Encourage your child to sort these items by color, size, or type into the muffin cups.
This activity helps develop essential skills such as sorting, matching, and categorization. This is another great way to promote fine motor skill and hand-eye coordination as your child picks up and places each item carefully. The open-ended nature of this game encourages creativity and independent exploration, allowing toddlers to experiment and learn at their own pace.
To keep your child interested, rotate the objects weekly or introduce new textures and shapes. Always supervise to ensure the items are safe and too large to swallow. This handmade Montessori toy is affordable, easy to set up, and perfect for encouraging early cognitive development through play.
Object Permanence Box from a Shoe Box
The Object Permanence Box is a classic and practical DIY Montessori toy for 1 year old toddlers.
To create it, you need a sturdy shoebox. Take the lid and cut a round hole in it. It should be large enough for a wooden ball or similar small object to fit through. Place a bowl or container inside the box to catch the balls as they fall.
Show your child how to drop the ball through the hole and watch it disappear inside the box, then reappear when it lands in the bowl. This simple activity helps toddlers grasp the important concept of object permanence—the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they can’t be seen.
It also introduces basic physics concepts like gravity and rolling. Watching the ball fall and roll sparks curiosity and early scientific thinking.
This handmade Montessori toy is easy to make, inexpensive, and perfect for supporting your child’s cognitive development and independent play at home.
Montessori Tips for DIY Toy Success
Limit the Number of Toys
When using DIY Montessori toys for 1 year old, less is more. Offer only 3 to 5 toys at a time. Too many options can overwhelm your child and reduce focus. Rotating toys weekly keeps play fresh and encourages deeper learning.
Use Open, Low Shelves for Display
Display toys on open, low shelves rather than in bins. This allows your child to see all the toys clearly and choose independently. It supports autonomy and decision-making skills.
Introduce Toys Slowly and Clearly
Always introduce new toys slowly. Sit with your child and demonstrate how to use the toy once or twice. This helps them understand the activity and builds confidence.
Observe and Adapt to Your Child’s Interests
After introducing the toy, step back and observe your child. Notice which toys they naturally prefer or struggle with. Use these observations to tailor future handmade Montessori toys to their interests and developmental stage.
Safety Considerations for handmade Montessori toys
Montessori toys nurture toddlers’ natural learning through simplicity and exploration. DIY options make this approach affordable and personalized.
Inspect Materials Carefully
Always check all materials before use to ensure they are clean and safe. Avoid small parts that can be swallowed, especially for 1-year-olds who explore with their mouths.
Choose Non-Toxic Materials
Use only child-safe, non-toxic paints, glues, and materials. This helps protect your child from harmful chemicals during play.
Ensure Secure Assembly
Make sure toys are firmly put together with no loose pieces. Check for sharp edges, splinters, or rough surfaces and sand them smooth if needed.
Supervise Playtime Closely
Always supervise your child while playing. Even safe-looking toys can pose risks if used unexpectedly. Be especially attentive when toys include small objects like buttons, clothespins, or jars.
Montessori toys don’t need to come from a fancy store. Use your creativity to craft meaningful learning tools at home. DIY Montessori toys for 1 year old toddlers are budget-friendly, customizable, and developmentally appropriate. Every handmade Montessori toy you create gives your child a chance to explore, discover, and grow.
Begin with a couple of ideas from this list and see your child’s curiosity flourish.The learning—and bonding—will naturally follow.
