DIY Montessori Munari Baby Mobile (Simple and beautiful)

Maybe you are looking for a cheaper alternative to buying the beautiful Montessori mobiles. Or maybe you are a crafty person who loves a good project! I am both of these people. I’ll share with you how you can create your own beautiful Montessori Munari baby mobile!

Let me be frank here, as much as I want you to make your own Montessori mobiles I want to warn you, mentally prepare yourself before starting this project! Most of the project is simple but when it comes to assembling the mobile and getting it to balance just right you may want the help of another person and a little extra patience!

The Munari mobile is the first Montessori baby mobile in a series of 5. You can use this mobile from birth until around 6 weeks of age. However, if your baby is continuing to show interest in it after 6 weeks old you can definitely keep it out longer! Or you could rotate it back in at a later time. The Munari mobile is a high-contrast mobile that uses black and white objects, this is very captivating for a newborn.

What you will need

Supplies

• 1 clear glass/plastic tree ornament
• 1 binder ring
• Munari PDF template (FREE)
• Munari PDF hanging guide (FREE)
• (3) 1/4″ diameter wooden dowels cut to the following lengths
• Dowel A: 13 inches (35cm)
• Dowel B: 16.5 inches (42 cm)
• Dowel C: 8 in (21 cm)
• Cardboard, foam board, or thick tagboard
• Nylon string or fishing line
• Spray adhesive
• Black acrylic paint
• White acrylic paint
• Painters tape
• Fine grit sandpaper

Tools

• 2 paint brushes
• Scissors
• Exacto knife or razor blade
• Cutting Craft Matt
• Pin/needle
• Ruler
• Pruning shears for cutting dowels

Procedure

Gather all of your supplies and print off Munari PDF template

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Cut dowels to the correct lengths using something like pruning shears: dowel A (42cm/15.5in), dowel B (35cm/13in), dowel C (21cm/8in)

Sand down any rough ends after cutting.

Paint dowels A and C white. Paint dowel B black.

Use scissors to cut out one of each shape, roughly (no need to be precise here!)

Use a spray adhesive to stick those 3 pieces to the cardboard or foam board.

Using a straight edge and an Exacto Knife, cut out the shapes on your craft cutting mat. You could also use scissors if your cardboard is thin enough.

Cut out the other pieces of shapes with scissors, be precise with these cuts.

Use spray adhesive to stick the shapes to the other side of the cardboard shapes.

When dowel C (shortest dowel) is dry take a piece of painter’s tape and cut about one-third of the width of the tape strip. Wrap the strip of tape around the dowel so it looks like a candy cane.

Now paint dowel C black, this will create a black-and-white spiraled dowel.

Let the paint dry and then remove the painter’s tape.

IF YOU USED FOAM BOARD: you can poke a hole with a needle into the foam part and then use a hot glue gun to set the string into place.

IF YOU USED CARDBOARD: take a needle and poke a hole at the top of the shape. Thread the string into place. Tie a fishing knot or another secure knot. Tie string to the glass/plastic ornament as well. Follow the link to an easy-to-follow video on how to tie a fishing knot.

Assemble the mobile. Take a few deep breaths before you start. Make sure you are not hungry or you may become hangry very quickly! I had to ask my husband for his help and he much more easily than I could have done got it all balanced out.

First, attach the pieces to their correct dowel, then attach the dowels to each other. Use fishing knots or another secure knot when attaching the pieces. You will be able to fine-tune it and balance it once everything is attached. When balancing, start at the top and get the ornament to balance with the other dowels and pieces. Once Dowel A is balanced the rest will be easier to balance and adjust. Place on a mobile hanger of some sort or store for when you need this mobile for your baby!

Balancing this mobile will take you back to your time in high school science class when you learn about balancing and where to put your fulcrum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Montessori mobile?

A Montessori mobile is a creation of various objects of interest that are suspended in the air for your baby to look at while alert and awake. They are able to move freely and offer something interesting and captivating for your baby to look at. There are traditionally 5 Montessori mobiles that offer various levels of complexity and elements for an infant. This DIY tutorial will show you how to make the first mobile your baby will work with.

When should I start using the Munari mobile?

Mobiles can be used very shortly after birth, it is really up to you when you are ready to start. I had the Munari mobile out when we brought our identical twin boys home from the hospital. I chose to have it set up right away because it was great to have a place to put the boys down when they were awake and offer them something interesting.

How do I hang my Munari mobile?

I have hung my mobiles from a floor mobile hanger. Alternatively, you could anchor a hook in the ceiling, hang a long ribbon down, and then connect the mobiles closer to your baby’s level. I have also seen people use a wind chime hanger that juts out from the wall, which would allow you to hang the mobile from it and still have it move freely.

How do I store my mobile when I’m not using it?

I found it best to store all of my mobiles in a plastic storage container. Place tissue paper between each mobile so they don’t get tangled up with each other.

What Montessori mobile do I use next with my baby?

The next Montessori mobile in the sequence is the octahedron mobile. The Octahedron mobile is made of 3 octahedrons in the 3 primary colors, typically made out of reflective paper so they catch the light. They are suspended from wooden dowels. Check out this DIY video tutorial on how to make it yourself!

Where do I set up a Montessori mobile in my home?

It is recommended to have a Montessori movement area in your home. Curious how to set one up? Check out this blog post where I outline the 3 essentials for your Montessori movement area.