Best Waldorf Toys: A Christmas Gift Guide For 2023

Image by klimkin from Pixabay.

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Have you ever noticed that expensive toy with all the bells and whistles was played with less by your child or grandchild than the box the toy came in? Do you wonder which toys will foster the imagination? It’s usually the more open-ended toys without all the gadgets and gizmos!

Find out why Waldorf toys are the natural choice for fostering the magic of childhood. Plus, you’ll get tips on where to find the best Waldorf toys and how to save money on them. While inflation has gone down in 2023, saving money still sounds good, doesn’t it?

Why Your Child Needs Waldorf Toys

Waldorf toys capture the merriment and awe inherent in young children!  

As a former Waldorf preschool teacher, I love the beautiful natural toys made from wood, wool and silk found in every Waldorf school around the world. In the Waldorf classroom, the magic and wonder of childhood are protected through an approach that nurtures the young child’s physical and emotional development.

Waldorf toys are made from natural materials.
Colorful felted wool balls make simple Waldorf toys. Photo credit: stux via Pixabay.

This foundation helps children to develop creative and flexible thinking skills. As a result, children learn how to solve problems and resolve conflicts. We want our children and grandchildren to gain these important skills, right?

When our daughter was young, we also joined a babysitting club. We took turns with other families to host a group of children while the rest of the parents enjoyed a date night. Our house was always very popular due to the open-ended, creative Waldorf toys in our home. The children happily worked together in imaginative and cooperative play!

An Educational Philosophy

Waldorf education is based on the insight, philosophy and teaching of Rudolf Steiner, who was a renowned artist and scientist. A central focus of Waldorf education is building students’ imagination and creativity. Choosing the right toys makes a big difference!

  • Basic principles of Waldorf education are that children learn through imitation and activity;
  • children live in a world of imagination and express themselves through creative play; and
  • a vigorous life of imagination and creative play in the early years provides the basis for physical well-being, an enthusiasm for learning, robust intellectual growth and positive self-esteem.      

With my own daughter and other children I’ve taught, I’ve observed that children imitate and act out what they have learned in their play. Children do this naturally, using anything they can find, including sticks, rocks, and cardboard boxes. 

A Stick Can Be…

. . . stuck in the sandbox for a “mast” on the “sailboat”,

. . . used to stir pretend “soup”, or

. . . used as a “broom” for sweeping out a “house”.

A cardboard box can be a spaceship, a store, or a fort. A wooden block can be a car, a boat, or a telephone. A lovely piece of blue silk can be the night sky or a winding river.

When you give open ended toys that allow children to use their imagination, you enhance their play and foster creativity. Allowing a child to explore and discover what an object can be, or what it can become imaginatively, boosts brain development.

Waldorf Toys Are Made Of Quality Materials

If you visit any of these websites, you’ll see that Waldorf toys and other natural playthings can be expensive. However, Waldorf toys are made of quality materials designed to last, such as natural hardwoods and soft, organic fabrics. Materials are non-toxic, eco-friendly, and toy makers are usually paid a living wage, which you can feel good about.

You won’t have to purchase an endless number of toys because Waldorf toys can be used in so many different ways. For example, wooden clips and silk scarves can be used to build a fort, serve as a curtain for a puppet show, or style a mermaid’s home.  

Where To Find Waldorf Toys

Children are happy playing with two sticks, and they really do not need a lot when it comes to toys. Even so, you might like to give your children a few Waldorf toys this year. Waldorf toys are educational and they stimulate the senses. Here are some of my favorite websites that carry Waldorf toys. (These four links are not affiliate links, I just really like these companies!)

HearthSong

Nova Natural

A Child’s Dream

The Playstore

Most of these websites have a “sale” page where you can score a great deal. However, you can also get cash back when shopping at HearthSong by using Rakuten. It’s an online shopping portal that offers cash back on purchases, coupons, and deals at over 2,500 stores and businesses. Be sure to go through Rakuten’s site first to get the cash back deal.

I always go to Rakuten first when I shop at HearthSong, for the extra cash back savings. Plus, HearthSong is one of my favorite stores for Waldorf inspired toys and cooperative board games. Founded by Barbara Kane in 1983, HearthSong started as a small cottage business and grew over the years. HearthSong promotes toys, crafts, books and games that foster the imagination and wonder of childhood.

Best Waldorf & Natural Toys: A Holiday Gift Guide For 2023

Bookshop

I love supporting Bookshop because they gives back to independent book stores. Plus, I can usually find a lovely selection of books that are perfect for gift giving. The following books are wonderful for preschool and kindergarten age children learning letters and numbers.

If your children or grandchildren are just a little bit older (6 – 8 years), Making Waldorf Crafts can help them gain a deeper connection with the natural world. The author of this book shares nature projects designed to improve dexterity, hand-eye co-ordination and creativity. Plus, playing with nature helps children think and ask questions about their environment. 

Although Bookshop is an online bookstore, they also carry select toys and gifts like these sweet wooden toys and gift sets for infants and young children: 

Singing with children is a powerful literacy builder and musical toys help children take part as they grow their language skills. Plus, when you sing, it creates a little bit of magic. By singing, you can help children transition to another activity or get them to help clean up their toys a little easier.

Green Kid Crafts

An award winning company, Green Kid Crafts provides subscription science and art projects for children ages 2 – 10+ years old. Each box features four to six screen-free, hands-on activities and fun science experiments. Based on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) each box is designed to support key developmental skills.

What better way to foster creativity with craft projects that activate thinking, questioning, inquiring. Now you can give the gift of learning with Green Kid Crafts!

Image showing a sample subscription box from Green Kid Crafts, with a variety of science and art supplies including paint, a sun print kit, and more.

Image of smiling boy in grey jacket & red knit cap, holding a Green Kid Crafts box. Text on image says "hands on science & art projects delivered to your door for ages 2-10+" and "Order now"

Get 20% off 3, 6, or 12 month plans with Code: HOLIDAY at Green Kid Crafts!

Bella Luna Toys

When I want the best natural toys, I shop at Bella Luna Toys. The video below will give you a great overview on many different Waldorf toys and the age groups for each item. Sarah, the owner of Bella Luna Toys, lovingly describes each toy and how it can be used in a variety of ways. Use this link to get $10 off your first $50+ order at Bella Luna Toys.

Save money! Use this link for $10 off your first $50+ order at Bella Luna Toys!

Not a first time shopper at Bella Luna Toys? You can still save money on shipping and get a free gift! For orders totaling $99+ you qualify for free shipping. Last minute shoppers with $125+ orders will also receive a FREE Northern Coast Playsilk (valued at $18).

Finding Inexpensive Waldorf Toys

Don’t forget to check the sale page on the websites you visit. Around the holidays and in the weeks leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can often score extra savings or free shipping.

In addition, if you start your shopping through an online shopping portal like Rakuten, you can get cash back on your purchases. Yes, you can save even more money with Rakuten and get cash back when you buy Waldorf toys!

Pro Tip: Always Go Through A Shopping Portal To Save More Money

Join Rakuten, Spend $30 Within 90 Days, Get $30 Cash Back!

Sweet deal at Rakuten right now – use this link to join & spend $30, get $30 cash back when you spend $30 within 90 days. It’s like getting rewarded to shop. This is a limited-time special promotion so you’ll have to act quickly. Normally, the cash back sign-up bonus is $10 so getting $30 is amazing!

Affiliate link for Rakuten. Shop for Waldorf toys and get cash back with Rakuten.

Not every company selling Waldorf toys participates in Rakuten, but more stores are being added every day. Once you’re on the Rakuten site, use the search bar to find a store. You can also type in a particular brand, type of toy, or keyword in the Rakuten search bar.

I did a quick search for “Waldorf toys” on the Rakuten site and found Under The Nile baby gifts sold by Nordstrom. Under The Nile offers organic cotton dolls and toys, gift sets, pajamas and blankets for baby that are soft and comforting. I also found wooden toys for toddlers sold by Melissa & Doug, and many natural toys sold by HearthSong.

Look For Well-Loved, Gently Used Waldorf Toys

Because Waldorf toys are well made, they last for generations. It’s not uncommon for Waldorf toys to outlast childhood. You might be surprised at the life left in those special toys, even if they are gently used.

As a result, you might find gently used Waldorf toys at a huge savings. Places to look include yard sales in communities that have a Waldorf school, in Facebook buying/selling groups, and on eBay. 

Soft fabric dolls are a staple of Waldorf toys.
Handmade Waldorf dolls can be crafted to look like your child.  Photo credit: auenleben via Pixabay.

Homemade Waldorf Toys & Gifts

If you are crafty, you can make your own Waldorf toys. I’ve made lavender scented felted animals, bean bags, play cloths, felt activity books, and beautiful soft dolls. Making natural “tree blocks” would also be very easy to do if you have access to the wood and the tools. There are also many wonderful books to guide you in making homemade toys.

For hours of fun, you can easily mix up a batch of homemade playdough. Make several colors and package them up as a gift. Add some child-sized wooden spoons, toy rolling pins, and cookie cutters for a complete playdough gift set. Here’s a simple, non-toxic playdough recipe:

Playdough

Mix the following dry ingredients:

3 cups flour

1/2 cup salt

2 packages unsweetened Kool Aid

Add the following liquid ingredients and mix well:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups boiling water

Add extra flour to get desired consistency.

Let cool and then store in airtight containers.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully this introduction to Waldorf toys has inspired you to put on your creative thinking cap, too! Choose to purchase or make open-ended toys that your children will be able to use in unlimited ways this holiday season and throughout childhood.

Remember, you will save money in the long run by spending a little more on a few well-made and open-ended creative toys. Buy quality, not quantity. When you purchase Waldorf toys, you can be sure they will be used and enjoyed for many years.

Consider it a double win if you find gently used Waldorf toys for sale. They are less expensive than purchasing new toys and you help the environment by reusing them.

You can save even more money by making your own toys and gifts for the children and teens in your life. Try the recipe above for homemade playdough, which is perfect for young children. Looking for stocking stuffers for teenagers? Try this easy recipe for homemade lipbalm.

Whether you purchase a few special new Waldorf toys, discover well-loved previously owned toys at a deep discount, or create handmade gifts from the heart, they are sure to keep your children happy and engaged. By taking advantage of these saving strategies, you will have more money available to tuck into your retirement account, too!


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Question:  What do you look for when purchasing or making toys for children to save money? If you’ve made homemade toys, please share what you’ve made!

21 Replies to “Best Waldorf Toys: A Christmas Gift Guide For 2023”

  1. It is interesting to learn about Waldorf education! I like that it encourages imagination through the simplest things. When I was a kid, my mom would always give me simple kitchen sets and I would always make an adventure out of them. Thanks for sharing your experience with Waldorf toys!!

    Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me

  2. I am not familiar with Waldarf, but I agree with you about creativity in children. Indeed they don’t need anything fancynor expensive to help them imagine characters and stories. If anything, the expensive toys often end up being a prop for a totally different story.

  3. Thanks, Arianne! I’ve listed some of my favorite Waldorf brands, but there’s lots of little cottage businesses making Waldorf toys. Just do a simple search on etsy and you’ll find everything from wooden toys, felt play food, hand-sewn dolls & puppets, and more! It’s fun to support smaller artists, too.

  4. We have always used toys that are natural and hardy, and many of them came from Magic Cabin! My siblings and I still have the dolls each of us were given as children, and they are such durable little things, able to be passed down the line without breaking.

    Having toys that last means a lot to me.

    1. That’s so sweet that you have cherished natural toys to pass down, Jaya! I remember when there was a Magic Cabin store in a nearby town. I was sad when it closed, although I still like to shop their online store when I need a gift for a young child! Update: Magic Cabin is now HearthSong!

  5. I remember using boxes as toys when I was a kid. I also used sticks for various things as well, but mainly as a sword. Times we’re a lot simpler back then. I don’t think I’ve ever hear of Waldorf Toys, but then I’m no longer a child and I don’t have children of my own. Their collection does sound interesting though

  6. Glad I came across this article – I had not heard of Waldorf toys. A few of these (especially the environmentally-friendly and educational ones will be perfect gifts for the kids in my extended family.

  7. I’ve never heard of Waldorf Toys, they seem like a great brand. Learning through playing, and saving money while your child learns and has fun, is great!

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