Best Toddler & Preschool Toys from an MIT Engineer [STEM, Montessori, Waldorf, & Minimalist Toys]

The *best* toy recommendations for young kids, straight from an MIT Aerospace Engineer mom. All of these toys inspire kids to build, create, imagine, & play. Join me this 2022 holiday season in getting rid of the clutter & chaos of plastic, battery powered toys, and invest in some high-quality, naturally made toys for your kids!

If you have any questions about the toys I recommend, please leave a comment below. And don't forget to like & subscribe. :)

Want to learn more about raising natural kids?
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Chapter Markers & Links:
00:00 Intro
00:31 The Solution to not having a messy, cluttered house with young kids
21:46 Balls
23:29 Puzzles
24:38 Winter Clothing [I recommend LLBean, Lands End, Hanna Anderson, Columbia, Patagonia, consignment shops, hand-me-downs, etc.]
25:19 Free Toys
26:40 Rotating Toys
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Some other great sites when looking for other similar toys are:
Etsy - I love supporting artists rather than Amazon when I can.

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#holiday2020 #preschool #toddler #stem #montessori #waldorf #minimalist #nojunktoys

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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LET'S CONNECT!

[thewellnessfamily]

What are your kids favorite toys?? Please share with everyone below!

[shannonahern]

The old idea of a cardboard box being the best gift is 100% true still. When I found an awesome box at work that was used to ship a massive printer I wasted no time claiming it and my grandsons kept that box for over two years and it never stopped evolving. It started out a cave and eventually became their Odyssey from Mario Odyssey video game...they decorated it and spent hours visiting the levels of the game. It was never destroyed...they moved, and Mommy made them say goodbye to their Odyssey. They talk about the odyssey still years later. 😭

[livsterlove]

My childhood was this rectangular turquoise piece of cloth with sequins from goodwill. It was a cape, a sari, a dress, a river, an ocean, a lake a baby doll blanket, a veil, a flag. It is the most memorable toy I had.

[suejones]

Use a sheet under the sensory bins and even Legos or other blocks to clean up easier!! Store one in the tub with the blocks.

[louisacoote]

I’m a big fan of the Montessori education and materials, as is my sister. I love the animal/plant puzzles and the tangrams. Cardboard boxes are awesome too! In spring/summer last year, I spent loads of time outside with the boy and girl I nanny ( 5 and 8 years old). Parents had lots of furniture/stuff delivered, we used all the boxes to make houses, castles, spaceships that we taped together, coloured in and decorated. We had a complete blast!

[louisacoote]

Lego/Duplo, Kapla ( flat plank version of Lincoln Logs), Magnatiles, paper and art supplies ( paint, crayons, markers...), Play Doh, wooden play kitchen with food, pots, pans, plates and utensils, dressing up clothes... All things I loved as a child or think are awesome as a nanny. Books are also incredible!

[louisacoote]

I used to nanny for a family with a baby/toddler. I used to be able to entertain him with a pillow, a blanket and a cuddly toy/stuffed animal when he was 1-ish. He/I/the teddy could hide under the blanket, the teddy bear could sleep on the pillow and be tucked in with the blanket and we could wake it up/be quiet with it, hide and seek with the teddy, peek-a-boo with the blanket, the blanket can be a cape... All the plastic, noisy, flashing toys are so overrated and unnecessary, I reckon!

[Msfafapolo]

Thank you so much for not adding more trash to YouTube... lovely simple list of fun toys. Less is more! I’ve also been a bit unsure about silks, but think I’m gonna go for them! 😊 x

[nightrunner]

Well organized and delivered presentation of kids toys worth buying. Thank you!

[sarahfaith]

Best toy review 👍

I like how you include outdoor gear, it’s so true, that’s one of the best things to have

[maricify]

I have an 18 year old daughter and I am trying to start Montessori with her. I came across your video searching for tips ideas etc. I just want to say you are amazing. Your recommendations, your in depth explanations. Everything had my attention at all times. New subscriber here. Thank you for all the great information 😀

[ChaserTiponi]

Thank You! Magnetic tiles for 5 year old twins! Just ordered. Grandpa may just be a Hero. I think they will play with these for hours. Thx Agaian!

[TheLieuCrew]

Agreed with all your toys! Magnatiles still getting played with daily around here by M and S (5.5 and almost 8!)

[atroy]

We used to do the sensory bin with beans for indoor play but it was always such a mess... maybe better for older kids. Now we have a sandbox outside and it’s much better. I feel like kids will get plenty of sensory play if they are allowed plenty of time outside.

[blackpassenger]

thanks for this. our daughter is turning two in 3 months and we just moved from cali to japan. left most her toys in san fran, so need to start a new collection.

[leeann]

Love this video! Thank you! You have reinforced the toys that I had in mind. Thank you from a engineering mom!

[mamasarah]

SOOO LOVE THIS VIDEO! Thanks for sharing! Gave me so many gift ideas for my little boy! Magnatiles is already on my list. Got a list of toys and books to buy for him every month like 1-2 per month. Will definitely add Duplos, Figurines, Papers and CRAYONS, and Train Tracks! So exciteeeed! Waiting for his balance bike to get delivered for Christmas! Also, love the ROTATING idea!

[rachaelreczenski]

Found this still very relevant for xmas 2022

[SvetlinNikolovPhx]

Thank you, this was a great video! We've been playing a lot with constructors (Lego and Atco from my childhood) and my 3 year old girl has gotten very dexterous with the small parts even though the minifigures are what she really loves to play with and put in cars and airplanes and other vehicles I build for her. I have this view of my childhood that when I didn't have a toy I wanted, I could build it myself from these parts and I believe this has helped me become a good engineer, so I think this is important for her as well, but I am also hoping I don't force on her what she doesn't like, so we have a lot of other kinds of toys as well. So I was a little relieved when you mentioned Legos, but also got many ideas as well :))

[marlettepalma]

Su h a great video thank you so much!! I had fallen into a cycle of buying a Tom of random toys. Now I'm getting rid of everything and starting over! I have a 10 y.o 7 y.o and 3 y.o
This video helps so much!!