Montessori Toddler Setup on a $300 Budget (For Active Kids)
What Is Montessori Style, and Why It’s Great for High-Energy Kids
Montessori style is all about simplicity, independence, and creating a space that's centered around the child. It focuses on calm, uncluttered areas with accessible furniture and open-ended toys that help kids concentrate and play with purpose.
For high-energy kids, a Montessori setup can be especially helpful. It gives them room to move and explore, but within gentle boundaries that encourage focus and calm. Instead of bright lights, loud toys, and sensory overload, the simple design helps them slow down and engage more deeply with what they’re doing.
My youngest is very high energy and gets distracted easily, so I decided to remove the noisy plastic toys and try a Montessori-inspired setup to see if it would hold his attention longer. I really think simplifying the space made a difference. He often plays on his own in this area now, which is a huge win for both of us.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I will only recommend things I have personally used unless otherwise stated.
List of links:
Here's my $300 set-up!
I will link more below if you're interested in other minimalist toddler toys. I can't link the same chair, but I'll link another one I would have chosen. The spinner is also more esthetically pleasing.
Other Chair Options
Click on the pictures to follow the link. Here are a few other cute options for chairs. They are arranged in order by price.
Minimalist Toys
Some of these we have, some are on our wish list!
Cute Storage Solutions
One of my son’s favorite things is putting his peg people into baskets. It’s also great to have a place to put all the smaller, loose pieces from some of the toys.
Planning the Space
When I started planning, I had three main goals in mind:
I wanted a climbing gym, because he needed a spot to climb that wasn’t my furniture.
I wanted a tent that looked nice in the room, but also gave him a cozy little cave to play in.
I wanted to include a cabinet with a magnetic door, just because he loves those.
I already had a few toys in muted, natural colors, so I tried to stick with that palette. It helped keep things cohesive and also saved me from having to replace too much.
What I Included
Here are the core elements I added to the play area:
-Low, accessible shelves for his toys
-Child-sized, comfortable seating
-A soft rug that also works as a play mat
-Minimalist toys that are open-ended
-A basket of toddler-sized books he can easily grab
One of my favorite features is that the climbing gym actually fits inside the tent when we’re not using it. It’s a great way to keep things tidy without losing functionality. He especially loves sitting in the little armchair with a book or snack, which is exactly what I hoped for.
Rotating Toys
How Often to Rotate
-Every 1–2 weeks
-Younger toddlers (12–24 months): every 12–14 days
-Older toddlers and preschoolers (2½–4 years): every 10–14 days
How Many Toys to Display
-6–9 toys total at a time
-Organized by category
-Only one toy per category
Suggested Weekly Toy Categories
-Fine Motor
-Gross Motor
-Practical Life
-Sensory
-Math/Counting
-Pretend Play
-Open-Ended Toy
Rotation Tips
-Observe your child to see what interests them
-Store unused toys in a bin or closet
-Rotate only 2–3 toys at a time
-Keep favorites out longer if they’re still engaging
Montessori-Inspired Toy Ideas by Category
Fine Motor
-Wooden puzzles (knob or inset)
-Ring stacker
-Lacing beads
-Peg boards
-Coin box or object permanence box
-Posting toys (e.g. drop wooden sticks into a container)
Gross Motor
-Pikler triangle
-Climbing arch or ramp
-Balance board
-Step stool for climbing
-Push cart or wagon
-Ride-on toys (no batteries)
Practical Life
-Toddler-size broom & dustpan
-Watering can for plants
-Dressing frames (zippers, buttons, snaps)
-Pouring station with cups and pitchers
-Lock and key sets
-Mini tongs for transferring
Sensorial
-Texture fabric swatches or sensory baskets
-Wooden sound cylinders
-Montessori knobbed cylinders
-Color tablets
-Nesting cups or boxes
-Sandpaper letters (for pre-literacy)
Math/Counting
-Number rods or blocks
-Wooden counting rings
-Shape sorters
-Abacus or bead frame
-Spindle boxes (age 3+)
-Matching card games with quantities
Pretend Play
-Wooden food sets
-Small doll with clothes for dressing
-Toy kitchen or washing station
-Baby care accessories (blanket, spoon, etc.)
-Mini cleaning tools
-Realistic animal figurines
Open-Ended Toys
-Wooden blocks or rainbow arches
-Play silks or scarves
-Peg people with vehicles
-Loose parts (stones, rings, bowls)
-Magnetic tiles
-Simple dollhouse with basic furniture
For now, I’m keeping things simple with his favorites. Right now that includes the car with peg people, the hammer toy, and lots of books. We also have another play space that includes a play kitchen, a toddler table and chairs, and a broom set. You can read more about that space in this blog post here.
Eventually, I plan to rotate toys more regularly once we build up our collection. For now, it’s working well with just the basics.
Final Thoughts
I’m so happy with how this space turned out. It’s calming, simple, and gives him the freedom to explore without feeling overwhelmed. He’s playing more independently, and I feel more relaxed too. I’ll definitely keep building on this setup and look for more Montessori-style toys to add to our rotation.
If you’ve created a toddler space like this or have favorite toys that encourage independent play, I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
For more minimalist kids play spaces and activities, see my other blog posts:
