How to Make a DIY Montessori Coin Box | A Perfect Hands-On Activity for 12+ Month-Olds

Looking for an easy, budget-friendly Montessori activity for your toddler? The DIY Montessori Coin Box is a fun and simple project to keep your little one happily occupied while developing essential motor and cognitive skills! Here’s everything you need to get started.

One of the Best Hands-On Activities for Toddlers

One of my little one’s favorite activities is posting objects, and I was thrilled to learn that the classic Montessori coin box is perfect for toddlers around 12 months old! I decided to make a DIY version of this wooden Montessori coin box to save on costs. Plus, creating a DIY coin box is surprisingly easy. On average, this activity keeps my toddler engaged for about 15 minutes—a great hands-on activity that I know she loves.

Materials Needed

To make your DIY Montessori Coin Box, you’ll need:

1. A cardboard box (square-shaped is ideal)
2. A paper cutter
3. Bright-colored paper to cover the box’s surface (my daughter prefers yellow!)
4. A cardboard sheet to make coins

Steps to Make Your DIY Coin Box

1. Cover the Box: Cover each box sides with the colored paper. Cut the paper to fit each side and glue it securely.
2. Make the Slit: Using a paper cutter, make a narrow slit on the top. For example, if you’re using a square box with an 11-inch width, cut a 6-inch slit on one side.
3. Create the Coins: Cut circles out of the cardboard sheet to make coins, about 5 inches in diameter. For sturdier coins, layer two or three pieces and glue them together. (Tip: Adjust the slit’s width to match the thickness of the coins.)

Benefits of the Coin Box Activity

Supports Object Permanence

The coin box activity helps toddlers grasp the concept of object permanence—the understanding that objects still exist even when they are out of sight. For example, if you hide a toy under a blanket and the baby finds it, this suggests they remember the toy is still there. Object permanence is a vital milestone in cognitive development, and studies show that infants start perceiving it around 4 months of age, fully adapting to this concept by about 12 months.

Improves Hand-Eye Coordination

The coin box activity encourages toddlers to refine their grasp by holding thin coins and inserting them through the narrow slit. This practice helps with motor development and hand-eye coordination, both critical skills in early childhood.

Fosters a Love for Cause and Effect

Toddlers love activities involving cause and effect. Watching coins disappear through the slit fascinates them and keeps them engaged for longer periods. Retrieving the posted coins also encourages them to repeat the process, reinforcing their understanding of object permanence and learning how to retrieve hidden items.

Tip: For DIY boxes, first show your toddler how to open the box to retrieve the coins. My daughter took a while to learn how to open the box independently. For the first couple of months, I helped her open it when she seemed frustrated. Now she can do it all by herself!

Safety Note

Since this activity involves small parts, always supervise your toddler while they play to ensure safe practice.

Final Thoughts

This simple DIY project is not only affordable but also offers multiple developmental benefits, from fine motor skills to cognitive understanding. Most importantly, remember the Montessori principle of “Follow the Child”—if you observe your toddler closely, you’ll see just how much they enjoy learning and exploring through these hands-on activities.

By using materials already at home and tailoring the difficulty level to your toddler’s needs, you’re creating an engaging Montessori environment right where it matters most—at home!