The Best Montessori Toy Shelves for Every Space
Published Date: 12/09/23
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Benefits of Montessori Shelves
Our Picks for the Best Montessori Shelves
How to Set Up Your Montessori Toy Shelf
Montessori families know something that many other parents forget...less is more, especially when it comes to toys.
Not only do lots of toys clutter your house, they also leave children overwhelmed by their options. You'll find that many remain deep in the toy bin and you wonder why you bought them at all. A waste of space and a waste of money.
But, taking a Montessori approach to toys and storage can help get rid of unnecessary disorder, boost creativity, and give you a beautiful aesthetic.
Let's explore Montessori shelving systems and talk about why they're a great option.
What is a Montessori Shelf?
The premises behind Montessori shelving are simple and rooted in the Montessori philosophy.
They're built from natural wood and are created to give a toddler or preschooler access to their materials without needing adult assistance. Designed with open shelving, they should be intentionally uncluttered to be both beautiful and to provide the right number of options for play.
Whether your shelving system will be in a playroom, a child's room, or in your family room, a Montessori toy shelf is a great choice for every home.
What are the Benefits of a Montessori Toy Shelf?
Montessori shelves are becoming quite popular among parents, and there are good reasons for that. Here's a look at the benefits of a Montessori toy shelf.
Build Independence
One of the basic tenets of the Montessori approach is that children are highly capable, and as parents, we should help foster their independence. That's exactly what Montessori style shelving is designed for. The open shelves are great for displaying toys and allowing children to make their own choices when they access toys independently.
Foster Creativity
Fostering creativity is easy with Montessori shelves, especially when they're filled with Montessori toys. Montessori toys are open-ended, meaning there are multiple ways to interact with them.
Keep Things Organized
Each item on your shelf should have a dedicated space, which helps keep things organized. Everything is out in the open without hidden storage where things become out of sight out of mind.
Easy Cleanup
We all now how difficult it can be to get kids to put away their things. And when you finally do, they shove a toy in a closet or in a chest and forget it's there. With open shelving, everything has a specific place and a child knows exactly where to put it when they're through, though we can't promise they won't need some reminding to pick up.
Aesthetics
The natural wood of Montessori shelves compliment any decor. Keeping them simple and organized is a key component of their beauty.
Durability
Forget painted particle board furniture that bubbles at the littlest spill, a sturdy shelf from real wood will be a durable piece that lasts for years and stands up to the abuse of any toddler.
The Best Montessori Toy Shelves
Below are the top six toy shelves for Montessori playroom and other spaces and their best features.
Wooden Balance Set of 2 Shelves: Small Toy Storage & Large Personalized Montessori Bookshelf
Our pick for: The most customization
Store toys and books with this unit! Plus, every child loves personalization and those are some of the reasons it made our Best Montessori Toy Shelf list.
The Details:
This gorgeous Montessori set from Wooden Balance is handmade a customizable. Besides the name personalization, you can opt to have it delivered painted as well, ensuring it will match your decor.
These are handmade to order from natural wood and Wooden Balance offers several options for the shelving system and we love to match smaller units with a large book shelf.
The configuration shown is the small toy shelf and large bookshelf.
The small toy shelf height is 22", it's 30" wide, and 14" deep. The large bookshelf is also 22" high, 14" deep, but is slightly narrower than the shelf at 28". With five tiers, the bookshelf gives you ample book storage for your budding reader. There's also an option to add a toy box!
Wooden Balance's small bookshelf comes with three tier cubbies and measures 25" wide, 14" high, and 10" deep, making it accessible for a baby and perfect for small spaces.
Price at publication: $233 for the small toy shelf and large bookshelf
And don't miss Wood Balance's other toddler products, like climbing gyms and balance beams.
Woodz Home Montessori Toy Storage
Our pick for: Baby nurseries
It's the lowest shelf option on our Best Montessori Shelves list making it the perfect pick for any nursery.
The Details
Large shelves can be a tip hazard (*reminder to secure all furniture to the wall*) but this low shelf option is fantastic for a nursery where your baby might be pulling themselves up and learning to walk.
Coming in at just over 38.5" wide, 18" tall, and 16.3" deep, it can be used as both a toy shelf and a book display.
This shelf is stylish and study, it's handmade from birch plywood. The invisible steel joints add to its durability, while making it easy to assemble.
Price at publication: $210
Bush Acres Montessori Toy Shelf with Hidden Storage
Our Pick For: Maximum storage
Montessori homes may be good at providing just a few toy options, but if you want open an open shelf that's easily accessible for kids but still plenty of space, this is the right pick for you.
The Details
This pick from Bush Acres made our list because of the ample storage. Montessori shelves are cute and all, but realistically, we're not always good at limiting toy options.
Behind the shelves you'll find a hidden storage compartment perfect for stuffies, more toys, or blankets.
At 41" wide, it's one of the widest single shelf on our list. And given the hidden compartment sits behind the shelves, it's deeper than others at 18". The height is perfect for toddlers at 23.5" tall and Bush Acres also makes a set of four wooden storage bins perfect for keeping things looking tidy.
Sturdy and durable, it's made in the USA from Baltic Birch plywood and costs $440.
ECR4Kids Tabletop Book Display
Our Pick for: Eco-friendliness and portability
This tabletop book display is not only pretty, it's also Greenguard Gold Certified.
The Details
A Greenguard Gold certification means that the product has been screened for over 15,000 VOCs known to pollute the air. You can feel good that there will be no off-gassing and you're helping both the environment and your family.
While your child might not notice that this book display is eco-friendly, they will love being able to easily access their books.
With the adjustable shelves you can change the the configuration of your books, having some with the spine showing and others with the cover.
The shelf is just under six pounds, so an adult can move it from room-to-room and at 24" wide, by 8.75" high and 8.75" deep, there's a spot in every room to place one.
Price at publication: $48
Sklejkove Corner Montessori Play Shelf
Our pick for: Corner placement
We don't advise putting kids in a corner, but a lovely shelf...absolutely.
The Details
From Sklejkove, this 100% handmade birch plywood Montessori shelf is the perfect pick if you need to utilize your corner space.
We loved how it has the curved design in front, but it still fits nicely against the wall on the sides. Kids will be able to easily get to their toys with the open, Montessori style shelving. The dimensions are about 28" wide, 28" deep, and 27" tall. The space between the shelves gives plenty of room for larger toys and it can be used on its own, or in conjunction with their Sklejkove's other storage options.
You can pick from white, grey, aqua blue, mint, natural wood varnish, or even order it unfinished if you'd like to stain or paint to match your room.
There's also a lower version available at about 17" tall.
Price at publication: $163 (unfinished), $203 (varnish), $275 (painted)
Floating Montessori Shelf
Our pick for: Saving floor space
If space is at a premium, a floating wood wall shelf is a great solution. These can be used as a bookshelf and small toy storage and are very affordable.
The Details
A set of floating shelves doubles as a Montessori bookshelf and gives your child a place for small toys without sacrificing floor space.
As with all Montessori furniture, hang these simple shelves low within reach for kids. The shelves are 4.72" deep, and 5.5" high on the sides and you can choose from a set of three shelves measuring 16" wide, two measuring 24" wide, or two measuring about 35.5" wide.
They're solid wood and shelves can be hung upside down, giving you hanging storage for clothing that children can access independently, which is a hallmark of Montessori playrooms.
Price at publication: $22 (three 16" shelves), $27 (two 24" shelves), $30 (two 35" shelves).
TOOKYLAND Montessori Shelf
Our pick for: The Best Montessori Shelf on a budget
The Tookyland is one of our picks for the best Montessori toy shelf. We love that it's available with either five or eight cubbies to suit anyone's playroom.
The details:
The five cubby version comes in at 23.6" high, 11.7" deep, and 44.6" wide.
With the eight cubby version, the height increases to 31.5" high, and the other dimensions remain the same - 11.7" deep, and 44.6" wide.
The eight cubby version has an open back, while the five cubby version has a backing. In our opinion, this makes the five cubby better for storing smaller toys because they can't fall through the back.
The eight cubby version is better if it won't be pushed against a wall the long way, because a child will be able to access cubbies from both sides.
Each compartment can hold up to 44 pounds, making this a sturdy option. At $180 for the eight compartment and $160 for the five, this is our budget pick and a great shelf for any space.
What about the Lovevery toy shelf?
Lovevery is an excellent brand of Montessori items. Honestly though, in our opinion the Lovevery toy shelf is overpriced. It's mass produced in China and for $400, we'd prefer to get a handmade item from a small business.
How do You Set up a Montessori Shelf?
Two key ideas behind a Montessori toy shelf are enabling learning through play and promoting independence. How you set up your Montessori space will influence how materials are used.
Keep it Simple
You want to encourage your baby or toddler to learn at their own pace and not overwhelm them with too many things. That's why having a limited number of toys out at any one time is important. One to three activities are sufficient for infants and five to six for toddlers. The child will be able to learn while having a fun time.
Have a Variety of Open-Ended Materials
Open-ended toys can be played with in more than one way. Whereas a plastic piece of fruit is almost always going to be a plastic piece of fruit, a wooden block can be a million different things.
Beyond blocks, Montessori toys like wooden puzzles, vehicles, busy boards, sensory items, and books are great choices.
Toy Rotation is Key
Keep an eye out for your child's changing interest and begin rotating toys. You might see that the busy board has gone untouched for several weeks in favor of the blocks, so swap that out for something else like a screwdriver board. Don't toss the busy board quite yet - bring it back out in a month or so and see if there's still interest.
You'll also notice changing capabilities as your child grows, so introduce new items that meet your child's new level and challenges them appropriately.
Keep Toys Disassembled
Taking toys apart doesn't inspire kids in the same way that putting them together does. Keeping toys disassembled will encourage problem solving skills, creativity, and imagination.
Arrange in the Proper Order
The Montessori display shelf should be aesthetically pleasing, and all the toys should be within reach of your child. However, the proper order is important for creating the best learning environment. The Montessori approach is similar to the reading style, from left to right and from top to bottom. Follow the same strategy, placing the easiest activity or toy in the top left corner, and the most challenging activity on the bottom shelf to the right.
Of course, adjust for the weight of the toys and put heavier items on the bottom, as needed.
Think about the Interests of Your Child
Learning comes naturally to a child, but can't be forced. Think about the interests of your toddler and have a variety of items at their disposal - ones you know they'll enjoy and ones they haven't explored yet.
Use Baskets, Bins, and Trays
Organization is key in any playroom, but especially in one with a Montessori toy shelf. Keep things organized by using storage bins, baskets, and wood trays to help your child easily carry items and independently put them away.
Common Questions about Montessori Toy Shelves
Q: Are Montessori toys better for kids?
Montessori toys are designed to be open-ended, provide real-world skills, and foster independence, creativity, and problem solving. While some non-Montessori toys do that, others are simply for entertainment.
Q: What are the benefits of a Montessori bookshelf?
Because a child can access materials on their own, a Montessori bookshelf can encourage independence, create a love for reading, give a sense of freedom and choice, and promote learning.
Q: How do you make a Montessori toy shelf?
A Montessori toy shelf is sturdy, made of wood, and is a low height so all materials are reachable for a child. Don't overwhelm it with items - pick a handful of well-planned toys and organize them in bins and storage trays.
Q: What is the right age for a Montessori shelf?
Montessori furniture is designed to be used from infancy. Make sure to secure any item that is a tip hazard to the wall to prevent accidents.
Q: How do you set up Montessori shelves?
A Montessori toy shelf should be uncluttered and well-organized. All materials should be age appropriate and within a child's reach. Arrange items from the easiest on the top left, to the most challenging on the bottom right.
- abhishek_2835's blog
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