Beautiful Montessori Gobbi Mobile DIY Tutorial
The Montessori Gobbi mobile is a beautiful visual mobile for a newborn baby. You can start introducing this mobile around 8 weeks of age. The Gobbi mobile is the 3rd visual mobile in the series, coming after the Munari and Octahedron mobile. When I was pregnant with my twin boys, I knew I wanted to make a set of my own Montessori baby mobiles. Montessori baby mobiles can be expensive to purchase, and I knew that I would be able to make them myself. Now I want to share that with you!
I have created video tutorials as well as written DIY instructions on how to make the Munari and Octahedron mobile. Check out the links below.
Additional DIY Mobiles
The Munari Mobile (1st visual mobile)
The Octahedron Mobile (2nd visual mobile)
What Is the Montessori Gobbi Mobile?
The Gobbi Mobile was the Montessori mobile I recognized most when I first started looking into making my own baby mobiles. This mobile is beautiful and delicate, displaying 5 wrapped spheres in a descending order at a 45-degree angle.
The color itself is not significant, just that the spheres are all of a different shade, so that the mobile shows color gradation. I remember the day I set this mobile in our movement area, and I was amazed at what I noticed observing one of my sons. I could see his eyes follow the mobile and go down and up the sequence of spheres. These Montessori mobiles support the development of visual tracking, depth perception, and concentration in newborns.
The Montessori baby mobiles, especially the Gobbi mobile, are a beautiful addition to a Montessori movement area for newborns.
When to Introduce the Gobbi Mobile
The Gobbi mobile is typically introduced after the Munari and Octahedron mobiles. The Munari baby mobile foucses is a high-contrast mobile consisting of different shapes. The Octahedron mobile is three octahedra in the 3 primary colors, introducing color.
The Gobbi mobile comes after the Octahedon mobile, isolating the subtle differences of shade within one color. You can introduce this mobile around 8 weeks old, but I often would observe my boys may be losing interest in the mobile, and then that may be a sign to you that they are ready for something new. Another sign that your baby may be ready for you to introduce the Gobbi mobile is showing greater focus and concentration on the current mobile.
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Why Make Your Own Gobbi Mobile?
There can be a lot of reasons to make your own Montessori Gobbi Mobile. Primarily, it may be due to cost; store-bought options can be expensive. I knew that with a little TLC (Tender loving care) I would be able to make beautiful Montessori baby mobiles for a fraction of the price.
By making your own Gobbi mobile, you can choose your own color palette, choose high-quality materials, and have the opportunity to create a meaningful handmade item for your baby.
For more high-quality DIY Mobile tutorials, check out how to make your own Munari Baby Mobile and Octahedron mobile.
Supplies You’ll Need
I’ve listed online links here, but you can source all of these supplies easily at your craft store very affordably.
- 5 lightweight foam craft balls (1.97in diameter found at Hobby Lobby)
- Embroidery floss in gradual shades of one color (5 different colors). Color Families: Blue, Green, Red, Yellow
- Tapestry needle – longer than the diameter of the sphere
- Clear fishing line or nylon thread
- Wooden dowel or stick cut to 16 inch length
- Scissors
- Tape measure or ruler
- Optional: hot glue gun
Step-by-Step Instructions to Making the Gobbi Mobile
Step 1: Gather all of your supplies.
Step 2: Make holes in the center of each styrofoam ball, making it about 2cm wide, if it isn’t wide enough, it will be dificult to get all the thread wrapped in there.
Step 3: Choose 1 color of embroidery floss to begin with. Tie the floss to the needle, and tape the end of the floss to the ball.
Step 4: Wrap the styrophone ball with embroidery floss, making sure to smooth the floss out as you go. You will need to overlap at times to make sure the whole sphere is covered. Cut and tie new thread as needed.
Step 5: Wrap all 5 spheres in embroidery floss, leaving a large piece of thread coming out of the top of the ball to tie onto the mobile.
Step 6: Secure the balls to the dowel by tying a double knot or a fishing knot. The lightest color should be the ball closest to the dowel (with the shortest string).
Step 7: Adjust spacing as needed and check for visual balance. Balls should hang at various lengths to create a cascading effect at a 45-degree angle. Double-knot each string into place along the dowel.
Step 8: Secure one longer piece of clear fishing line or nylon thread to use to hang the mobile. Secure a ring in the center of the fishing line to allow the mobile to hang up easily.
Step 9: Hang the Gobbi mobile 8 to 12 inches above your baby’s chest when lying down. Hang over a movement area, not a crib or sleeping space.
Step 10: Store the mobile in a cool, dry place when not being used (after your baby outgrows it). Store in a clear bin with tissue paper between mobiles to avoid tangles.
What Montessori mobile do I use next with my baby?
After the Gobbi baby mobile, you can introduce the Dancer baby mobile (Tutorial coming soon!). Following the dancer mobile, you can introduce a more realistic mobile, such as the butterfly mobile.
Tactile baby mobiles will be a mobile that your baby will be ready for once they start grasping for objects. Read more about tactile baby mobiles here.
Ways to Hang Your Montessori Mobiles
There are many ways to hang up Montessori baby mobiles. Consider your space and budget allowances when thinking about how to hang up your beautiful DIY Montessori Gobbi Mobile.
Mobile Stand
A mobile stand is a great way to hang Montessori baby mobiles. It is very functional and also portable. When our twins were little, we brought our mobile hanging up to the cabin with us!
Wall Mobile Wooden Arm
A wall-mounted mobile hanger is a great option if you want to have a small footprint, keep your movement area stationary, and have a simple, minimalist look. I like that you can hang this at the perfect height to keep the mobiles about 12 inches above the baby’s face and chest.
hook in the Ceiling
A super simple way to hang up your baby mobiles is by placing a hook into the ceiling. When hanging your mobiles, you will likely need to add a longer ribbon or string to hang them from so high up. This is a very minimalistic and affordable way to hang the baby mobiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I leave the Gobbi mobile up?
You can typically leave the Gobbi mobile up for about 2–3 weeks, or as long as your baby remains interested in it. If your baby begins to lose focus or no longer seems engaged, it may be time to move on to the next mobile in the Montessori sequence, or even circle back to a previous mobile, such as the Octahedron or Munari baby mobile.
Can I use different colors?
Yes! The traditional Gobbi mobile uses one color in five gradually changing shades (light to dark) to help babies refine their visual discrimination. However, you can choose any color family you like—blue, green, pink, or neutral tones—as long as the shades gradually transition.
Do I need exact sphere sizes?
The spheres should ideally be the same size, so the only visual difference your baby notices is the color change.
Can I skip the previous mobiles?
You can, however, the Gobbi mobile is typically introduced after the earlier Montessori mobiles (the Munari and then the Octahedron mobile). Each mobile is designed to support a baby’s visual development step by step, so following the sequence allows your baby to build on those skills gradually.
Can I use yarn instead of embroidery floss?
Yes, yarn can work, but embroidery floss is usually recommended because it wraps more smoothly around the spheres and creates a cleaner finish. If you use yarn, choose a thinner type so the balls don’t become too bulky.
Can I paint the balls instead?
You can paint the balls, but wrapping them with embroidery floss is the traditional method. The thread creates a soft, matte texture that reduces glare and provides a more subtle visual experience for your baby.
A Beatiful Infant Environment
The Gobbi Baby mobile is a beautiful Montessori baby mobile that will add beauty and engaging work for a newborn baby in your home. We don’t need a lot for a baby at this age. Simple visual mobiles are going to be very stimulating and engaging for your baby. A handmade material such as this Gobbi mobile or the other visual and tactile mobiles are beautiful additions to any infant environment.
