Montessori
Custom Montessori toys built for my niece in 2008. Made with biscuit joinery for durability and finished with child‑safe milk paint. Designed to withstand drops, throws, and daily use while adding bright, non‑toxic color.
Background In 2008, when my niece began having children, she asked if I could make a set of Montessori‑style toys. It was a fun project with a clear goal: create pieces that were durable, safe, and able to survive real‑world use by toddlers.
Construction I built the toys using biscuit joinery, which gave them strength and clean alignment without visible fasteners. The designs were simple but sturdy, with solid wood components sized for small hands and rounded edges for safety.
Durability Because these toys were going to be dropped, thrown, stepped on, and generally tested by young kids, I focused heavily on:
Strong joinery
Thick material where needed
Smooth, rounded edges
Tight‑fitting moving parts
They were built to last — and they did.
Child‑Safe Finish The finish was my biggest concern. I wanted something completely non‑toxic, even if a child chewed on the pieces. After researching safe finishes, I chose milk paint, which is:
Food‑safe
VOC‑free
Durable
Available in bright, kid‑friendly colors
It added color without introducing anything harmful.
Result The toys turned out strong, safe, and visually appealing — exactly what Montessori materials should be. They’ve held up through years of use and multiple children, and they remain one of the more enjoyable small projects I’ve built.
