Hi there! I’m Ashley, a mom of two little girls, Kylie who is four years old, and Mia who is two years old. Today, I want to share with you what I got my girls for Christmas this year. As a Montessori family, I wanted to provide some ideas for Montessori-friendly gifts for toddlers and preschoolers. I consider myself a minimalist, but with kids, some stuff is necessary. Last year, we went a little overboard with Christmas gifts, so this year, I aimed for a more minimal approach. Initially, I planned to get three gifts for each girl, but we ended up with five instead. Additionally, we purchased joint gifts for them to do together, as well as stocking stuffers. Some of the gifts include a robotics kit, woodland animal figurines, masking tape, and bath bombs with surprises inside. I hope these gift ideas will be helpful for those interested in Montessori-friendly gifts.
Joint Gifts
Birdhouse kit
For the joint gifts, one of the items we got for both girls is a birdhouse kit. We thought it would be a really fun project for them to work on together as a collaborative effort. We have robins that nest in our yard every year, and the girls are obsessed with watching them build their nests and looking for eggs. Although we don’t think robins will actually nest in this birdhouse, we have plenty of other backyard birds that might be interested. By putting it together and hanging it in our apple tree, we hope to attract some birds and give the girls an exciting opportunity to observe them up close.
Vex Robotics construction vehicles kit
The second joint gift we got for the girls is a Vex Robotics construction vehicles kit. This kit actually came in a pack of three, but we decided to save the other two for their birthdays or another occasion. This kit is not age-appropriate for them to do independently, which is why it will be a joint gift for them to do with their dad. While it may not be my personal interest, my husband loves putting together things and has a particular interest in robotics. Kylie had expressed her interest in building things and robots, so he saw this kit at Costco and thought it would be perfect for them. We’re sure Mia will want to join in on the fun too!
Digital microscope
The final joint gift we got for the girls is a digital microscope. This is another project that they can work on together, exploring the world around them in a whole new way. They can use the microscope to examine different objects up close and discover the intricate details that are not visible to the naked eye. This gift encourages their curiosity and promotes hands-on learning, which aligns with our Montessori philosophy. We can’t wait to see the excitement on their faces as they discover the tiny wonders of the world.
Gifts for One Child
Robe
For Kylie, we got her a cozy robe. She loves snuggling up in soft blankets, so we thought a robe would be the perfect addition to her comfort collection. Plus, it’s practical for after bath time or lounging around the house on lazy weekends.
Curious George book set
Kylie is an avid reader, and she has always had a special love for Curious George. So, we couldn’t resist getting her a complete set of Curious George books. This will provide her with hours of reading pleasure and fuel her imagination.
Stamp set
To nurture Kylie’s creativity, we also got her a stamp set. This will allow her to create her own artwork and add a touch of personalization to her creations. We can’t wait to see the unique designs she comes up with using the vibrant stamps.
Animal figurines
Kylie has a deep fascination with animals, so we knew she would appreciate a set of woodland animal figurines. These figurines will not only inspire imaginative play but also help her learn about different animals and their habitats.
Wooden dress-up doll set
Lastly, we decided to get Kylie a wooden dress-up doll set. This will encourage her to engage in pretend play and explore different roles and characters. It’s a timeless toy that promotes creativity and open-ended play.
Gifts for the Other Child
Artist set
For Mia, our younger daughter, we thought an artist set would be perfect. She loves getting her hands dirty and exploring different art mediums. This set will allow her to further express her creativity and experiment with different art techniques.
Bead set
Mia also has a love for anything sparkly and colorful, so we got her a bead set. This will allow her to string together her own jewelry creations and practice fine motor skills as she manipulates the beads.
Amelia Bedelia book set
Since Mia is still in the early stages of reading, we decided to get her a set of Amelia Bedelia books. These books are great for early readers, with humorous stories and simple language. They will help her develop her reading skills while providing entertainment and laughter.
Robotics kit
In line with her sister’s interest, we also got Mia a robotics kit. This kit is more age-appropriate for her, and we believe it will spark her curiosity about how things work and ignite her passion for problem-solving.
Pedal bike
Lastly, for Mia’s physical development, we got her a pedal bike. This will not only provide her with hours of fun and exercise but also help her improve her balance and coordination. It’s an investment in her overall growth and development.
Stocking Stuffers
12 bookmarks with different designs
For their stockings, we wanted to include small yet meaningful gifts. We got them a set of 12 bookmarks with different designs. Both girls love reading, and they are always in need of new bookmarks. This set ensures they have a variety to choose from, and the ruler on the back will be an added bonus for Kylie’s love of measuring.
Pom-pom things to attach to the top
To make the bookmarks even more fun, we included pom-pom attachments for the top. The girls can personalize their bookmarks by adding a colorful pom-pom to make them stand out in their books.
Welly Bravery Band-Aids in unicorn and llama themes
Knowing their love for band-aids, we found a unique set called Welly Bravery Band-Aids. Mia adores unicorns, so we got her a box with unicorn-themed band-aids. Kylie, on the other hand, loves llamas, so we got her a box with llama-themed band-aids. These band-aids will not only come in handy for the occasional boo-boo but also provide a sense of fun and comfort.
Silly scent twistable crayons
We also got them each a unique set of crayons. For Mia, we chose silly scent twistable crayons that will bring back childhood memories for me. They smell amazing, and we know she will have a blast using them to create colorful masterpieces.
Non-toxic nail polish
As for Kylie, we decided to get her some non-toxic nail polish. While I don’t typically paint my nails, Kylie showed a keen interest in having her nails done after seeing them painted at a friend’s house. The piggy paint set we found is completely kid-friendly and safe, allowing her to experiment with nail art and express her creativity.
Montessori-Friendly Gifts
Robotic kit
In line with our Montessori principles, we decided to include a robotic kit as a joint gift. This kit provides the girls with hands-on learning opportunities and encourages their curiosity about science and technology. It aligns with the Montessori approach of allowing children to explore and discover at their own pace.
Woodland animal figurines
Woodland animal figurines are not only a gift for Kylie, but they also fit well with Montessori principles. These figurines provide open-ended play opportunities and promote a child’s connection with nature. They can be used for storytelling, imaginative play, and learning about different animals and their habitats.
Masking tape
As mentioned earlier, we got the girls their own rolls of masking tape. This simple gift fosters their creativity and problem-solving skills. They can use the tape to create their own art projects, build structures, or even practice measuring and counting.
Bath bombs with surprises inside
Lastly, we included bath bombs with surprises inside. This gift combines sensory play, creativity, and a touch of surprise. As they drop the bath bombs into the water, they will be delighted to see what hidden surprises await them. It’s a fun and engaging way to make bath time even more enjoyable.
Conclusion
As a minimalist, I always strive to find a balance between giving my children meaningful gifts and avoiding excess. This year, despite my initial plan to keep it minimal, we ended up with a bit more than intended. However, I believe that the gifts we chose for our girls align with our Montessori philosophy and will ignite their curiosity, creativity, and love for learning.
By sharing what we got our girls for Christmas, I hope to offer helpful gift ideas to fellow parents interested in Montessori-friendly presents. The joint gifts, individual gifts, and stocking stuffers we selected all have a purpose and promote different aspects of their development. From encouraging imaginative play to fostering their curiosity about science and art, these gifts cater to their individual interests and personalities.
While the holiday season can easily become overwhelming with consumerism, it’s important to remember that the true value lies in the time spent together as a family and the memories created. Our intention in selecting these gifts was to provide our girls with meaningful experiences and opportunities for growth. We hope that by sharing our choices, other families can find inspiration for their own Montessori-friendly gift-giving traditions.