Favourite Montessori Style Open Ended Toys part I

On thing I always get asked around this time of year, is what kind of toys Ebi-kun has, so I thought I'd do a round up, the post got too big so I made it into a mini series. 

OK, first up... wooden blocks, I don't think you can go wrong with wooden blocks but there are some things to keep in mind. Not strictly Montessori but I feel they fit with the ethos and they can be used in so many ways.

I do recommend getting either natural or stained rather than painted blocks. The paint chips off the blocks easily so they end up looking tatty very quickly. Also, check on where the product is made, some cheaper blocks use dodgy lead based paint, another reason to go for stain or natural blocks.

Blocks in a walker 

This isn't the exact model that Ebi-kun has (yes, he still has it and still uses the blocks). He had the walker for his first birthday, if your child is using it to learn to walk with then make sure the handle is low so their weight will prevent the walker from whizzing off without them!
I remember having one of these as a kid and Ebi-kun has used his a lot, the walker can also be used for ferrying other toys around too!

Available from Amazon

Mixed shape set

We don't have this actual one but it's beautiful. I love the mixed shapes set because it opens the imagination. Ebi-kun uses his to build all kinds of things from extending his marble run to making fancy structures. 

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Generic Block Set

So, we actually have three sets of blocks, the ones in the walker, ones that are shaped with arches etc. and a pack that are stained but just standard sort of shapes. The combination of all three makes for a lot of fun. Ebi-kun is 10 now and the blocks still get pulled out, not as often as when he was little but they are certain still used. I doubt we will ever pass them on, we will keep them for Ebi-kuns kids in all those years in the future.

available on Amazon

Coloured Windows

We don't have these, they came out to late for us really but I have friends that love them and would be a good one to add to the mix.

available on Amazon

Alphabet Blocks

I added these into the mix with a word of warning... there are a lot of letter blocks out there and some are beautiful BUT if you are going for alphabet blocks find a set with lower case letters. 97% of what we read is in lower case so you should be introducing lowercase first. 

This rules goes for any toys, with years and years of teaching experience, I know that kids will pick up uppercase with out any help and that those who learn uppercase first then have to unlearn it when they are starting to write a school (they naturally write words in uppercase if that is what they learn first)

available on Amazon

Full disclosure, I have used affiliate links and I do say whether they are to the actual products that we have or if it's a similar item. 

Gift Guide - our top choices

I know all kids are different but I thought I would give you a run down of our most played with toys ...

(in no particular order)

LEGO - He got the castle and some small sets for his birthday, first time round me and daddy built it for him, I think he was overwhelmed with it all. Since then he has build all but the drawbridge by himself. It does tend to stay built and then he plays with it as a castle rather than rebuilding it as something else.

WOODEN BLOCKS - these still get lots of play, from building robots to cities, I have blogged about these before over here.

SCHLEICH - dinosaurs and knights. When I first came across these I admit my first thought was 'how much'? But daddy bought a couple when he was a business trip last year and they have been played and played and played with, the paint hasn't chipped at all, in fact they all look good as new, amazing considering the amount of jousts and battles that go on around these parts. The other thing I love is the attention to detail, we are so impressed with these toys that we have ordered more for his main present this Christmas. I ordered through HappyHappySue, the service was great and the toys a bit cheaper than most places.

*** edit - I am no longer happy with 'Happy Happy Sue' after putting in a second order, they apparently sent it to Japan although I requested it be sent to my moms address but it never turned up and so they eventually refunded the money. I attempted to make the order again since it was supposed to Ebi-kuns main present and then I find out several days later that they can no longer ship to Japan. Shoddy, very shoddy.

TOMIKA - toy cars, Tomika is the main toy car manufacturer here so most of his little cars are Tomikas. We don't have any of the accessories, just a selection of cars. They are the toy of choice to go on train trips and the back of the car.

ART AND CRAFT SUPPLIES - in all shapes and forms. He would rather have blank paper than coulouring books, he does like activity books though, dot-to-dot and mazes. He prefers felt tips pens and coloured pencils to crayons, he does like the Japanese oil pastels.

DRESS UP CLOTHES - like many kids, ebi-kun loves dressing up and make believe. We have a treasure chest from Ikea which is where all his dress up clothes live, I am hoping to pick up a couple more bits and bobs to add to the collection when we get to the UK. last Christmas I made Spotty his faithfully steed using a Melly and Me Pattern, it is really easy to follow and Ebi-kun LOVES Spotty.

and finally....

BOOKS - in every subject! It doesn't matter the language, Ebi-kun devours books, luckily for him, his parents are book lovers too.