Essential Montessori Materials for Your Homeschool (and DIY Alternatives!)

Essential Montessori Materials for Your Homeschool

Setting up a Montessori homeschool doesn’t mean you need to buy every expensive material available. While Montessori method is known for using hand-on and intentionally created materials, you do not have to go and buy every material that would be in a Montessori classroom. 

Many materials are easy to make at home with everyday objects, some can easily be printables, while others are best to purchase if possible.

So let's talk about which ones I consider essential: (Don't worry I am not trying to make money off of selling you materials, I personally do not own very many Montessori materials so I will be very honest to help you save money!)

1. Practical Life Materials (For Independence & Motor Skills) 

Montessori education emphasizes real-life skills from an early age. Practical life activities help children develop fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, and independence. 

Recommended Practical Life Materials: 

✔ Child-sized tools – Small broom, mop, and dustpan 

Child sized cleaning set Click Here

✔ Pouring & transferring materials – Pitchers, spoons, and small bowls (I thrift these or use what I have at home)

✔ Food prep tools – Child-safe knives, cutting boards, and vegetable peelers

I love this set with nylon knifes and a crinkle cutter Click Here

✔ Dressing frames – For practicing buttons, zippers, and laces (or just use real clothes!) 

Here is a cheap set on amazon Click Here

Budget Tip: Use real household items instead of buying special Montessori versions. Small pitchers, trays, and kitchen tools can be found at thrift stores or dollar stores. 

2. Sensorial Materials (For Hands-On Exploration & Sensory Development) 

Sensorial materials help children refine their senses—touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste—while learning important concepts like size, shape, and texture. These materials are often very expensive so I will recommend a few of my favorite from the classroom. Although I do not personally own any sensorial materials because children learn through their senses through everyday encounters.

Recommended Sensorial Materials:

✔ Knobbed cylinders – Teach size differentiation and fine motor skills 

A normal set has 10 knobs per block and is very expensive so here is a smaller version Click Here

✔ Pink tower – A stacking activity that builds spatial awareness 

Pink tower on amazon Click Here

✔ Geometric solids- Teaches children the names of 3D shapes

Set of geometric solids Click Here

 ✔ Color tablets - allow the child to match colors and learn names

Color Tablet box 2 Click Here

Alternative: Can make your own with paper

Budget Tip: Make DIY versions! Use household objects for a texture board, fill small jars with different materials for sound cylinders, or stack wooden blocks to mimic the pink tower. 

3. Language Materials (For Early Reading & Writing) 

Montessori language materials focus on*phonics-based learning and encourage children to explore words through touch and movement. 

Recommended Language Materials:

✔ Sandpaper letters – Helps children learn letter sounds through touch 

Sandpaper letter set Click Here

Alternative: Printable version or letter flashcards

✔ Moveable alphabet – Encourages word-building without writing pressure 

Movable alphabet set: Click Here

Alternative: Printable version or any loose letters. 

✔ Object & picture matching cards – Builds vocabulary and reading skills 

Word matching cards: Click Here

Alternative: Printable version

✔ Sand tracing tray – Encourages tracing in a sensorial way

My favorite sand tray Click Here

Alternative: Pour salt in a shallow container.

✔ Phonetic books – Introduce early reading with simple words 

My course has its own decodable readers or you can use bob books Click Here

Alternative: Printable version or writing your own sentences

In my course The Montessori Reading academy I provide every Montessori reading lesson and a printable version of the material to help you save money and time! Learn More

Budget Tip: Cut out sandpaper letters yourself, print moveable alphabet cards, and use inexpensive picture books for phonics practice. 

4. Math Materials (For Hands-On Number Learning) 

Montessori math materials help children see and feel mathematical concepts instead of just memorizing them. 

Recommended Math Materials:

✔ Sandpaper Numbers – Teach number symbols

Sandpaper numbers link Click Here

Alternative: Printable or number flashcards

✔ Spindle boxes – Help children understand number concepts 

Spindle box link: Click Here

Alternative: Popsicle sticks and number flashcards

✔ Golden beads – Introduce place value and basic arithmetic 

Golden beads link: Click Here

Alternative: Printable version but these are difficult to DIY

✔ Hundred board – A visual tool for counting and patterns 

Hundred board link: Click Here

Alternative: Printable

✔ Counting beads – Teach counting and math equations

Counting beads link: Click Here

Alternative: Can make them with colored beads on pipe cleaner

In my course The Montessori Math academy I provide every Montessori math lesson and a printable version of the material to help you save money and time! Learn More

Budget Tip: Use everyday objects like buttons, dried beans, or pebbles for counting activities. Print a DIY hundred board or use popsicle sticks for number rods. 

Montessori homeschooling doesn’t require a perfect classroom or expensive materials. With a thoughtfully prepared environment and a focus on hands-on learning, you can create a Montessori-inspired homeschool that nurtures curiosity, independence, and a love for learning.