I love shopping for baby toys and toddler toys. While searching for aesthetically pleasing and well made toys, I often came across the term Waldorf. I will be honest, initially I thought it referred to a type of doll because many of the beautiful dolls with a tactile and aesthetic appeal were described as Waldorf dolls. However, I came across this description on many wooden figures and unique stacking toys as well. So what are Waldorf toys?
Waldorf Toys
In a nutshell, Waldorf toys are beautiful, simple, eco-friendly, and allow for development of imitative and imaginative play. These toys are often made from natural materials such as wood, organic cotton, wool, and silk. When a baby or toddler plays with these toys, they stimulate the senses allowing for sensory development. These days, many families are searching for natural and eco-conscious toys, and Waldorf toys generally fit that demand.
Aesthetic Appeal
Toys should be beautiful. When kiddos have a lovely environment to play in they can truly create wonderful, imaginative concepts. The materials Waldorf toys are made from are naturally aesthetically pleasing.
Sensory Stimulation
From the smooth, hard touch of the wood to the light and wispy touch of the silk, these toys provide a wide range of textures and tactile stimulation. The organic wool and cotton are soft and cuddly too, wonderful for the first tactile stimulation for babies.
Imagination and Imitation
Waldorf toys invoke imaginative and imitative play, cultivating creativity. By nature, a child will imitate grown ups when playing. For example, what my toddler sees me doing with her baby sister, she often mimics when playing with her doll. Traditionally, Waldorf toys are minimalist toys lacking details, allowing the child’s imagination to fill in the rest. Toys are open-ended, without confinements to creativity…kiddos can easily pretend objects are many different things depending on what the current play activity requires. Just think of the Lost Boys from “Peter Pan” using their imaginations to play in Neverland 🙂
Here are some of my favorite Waldorf toys:
- Grimm’s Large Four Elements Building Blocks with Tray
- Set of 5 Stacking and Nesting Bowls – Blue
- Set of 5 Stacking and Nesting Bowls – Lollipop
- Rainbow Forest Set of Tree Figures for Pretend Play
- Fire Pebbles Wooden Stacking Stones
- Village of Small Houses – Waldorf Building Blocks Set
- Wooden Stacking and Nesting Rainbow Tunnel – Natural
- Grimm’s Large Stepped Pyramid of Wooden Building Blocks
- Soft Organic Ball with Gentle Rattle
- Grimm’s Dwarf Village
- Sparkling Blue Mandala Puzzle
- Grimm’s Large Wooden Conical Stacking Tower