I wanted to share with you Little Bee's favorite Montessori inspired tools and toys for building at four years old. He is very proficient with his fine motor skills and hand movements. So he enjoys any tactile sensory activity that I can find for him to explore. In this collection of tools and toys are a set of real stubby tools (perfect for a small child's hand), an airplane model that can be completely taken apart and put back together again (like a puzzle), and a Montessori nuts and bolts board.
Tools and Cardboard Box
The set of stubby tools I bought for Little Bee includes a hammer, screwdriver, flat head, and wrench. I also bought him a small leather tool belt so that he can wear his tools around his waist. Little Bee loves having his own set of tools that are the perfect size for his four year old hands. These tools are not plastic. They are real tools and they get the job done just like Daddy's (or Mommy's) tools do!
I didn't have a good stump for him to practice hammering nails into, so instead I set up a sturdy cardboard box. He used wooden golf tees at first to practice hammering. Once he got good at aiming and driving the golf tee into the box, he advanced to real nails. He also practiced screwing screws into the box top. Then he would use the back of his hammer to remove the nails and the wrench to pull out the screws.
Hammering Nails into a Pumpkin
A fun alternative to the cardboard box is a pumpkin for practicing hammering work. The box and pumpkin are easier to hammer nails into versus wood. Once Little Bee has mastered hammering nails into these alternative surfaces, then we will practice on pieces of wood or an old stump. 
Build an Airplane Puzzle
This DIY airplane kit has a battery operated drill and several drill bits for the various parts of the plane. Putting this plane together is like a puzzle. It can only be assembled one way or the plane will not come together properly. This toy is challenging for Little Bee.
Montessori Nuts and Bolts Board
This last building toy is a Montessori nuts and bolts fine motor work. This work teaches hand-eye coordination, sorting (large to small or small to large), and develops the horizontal twisting motion of the wrist. (The other Montessori bolt boards are still on our wish list!) 
Free Tools 3-Part Card Printables
Along with this list of awesome tools and toys for building, I have included a 3-part card tool printable! Click the link below to download your free copy!
Benefits of Tools and Toys for Building
The benefits of having tools and toys for building with children is to encourage their creativity and also to build their practical life skills. These special tools and toys help them develop their fine motor muscles and build their confidence in working with building materials. Who knows... one day they may grow up to be engineers, surgeons, or educators and they will remember they were given the opportunity to creatively build as children.
Click the list below to find tools and toys for building on Amazon!
Stubby Tool Set (perfect for small child hands)
Battat Take-A-Part Toy Airplane
HABA - Hammer, Nails, and Wood Tiles
12 Months of Montessori
April 2017 - Practical Life
Montessori Practical Life Ideas for the Spring (free printable) | Natural Beach Living
The Best Way to Sew on a Button {for kids} | The Natural Homeschool
How to: Montessori Indoor- or Small-Space Gardening in a DIY Sensory Table | Living Montessori Now
Montessori Inspired Tools and Toys for Building | Mama’s Happy Hive
Introducing Practical Life with Montessori Babies and Toddlers | The Kavanaugh Report
Introducing Email for Elementary Practical Life | Grace and Green Pastures
10+ Chores You Didn’t Know Your Toddler Can Help You With | Uno Zwei Tutu
Practical, practical life activities at 4 years old| Welcome to Mommyhood
Thank you for the suggestions! I need to buy my daughter a set of tools soon since she always helps daddy with the house 🙂 The 3 part cards are gorgeous! I’ll be printing them for my daughter.
These activities are perfect for kids to learn and practice eye-hand coordination as well as independence. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
This is awesome!!! My boys love tools and Bells is a great helper too. Thanks for sharing these ideas.