Secondhand Waldorf toys

toys

Some of our favourite Waldorf toys are secondhand or repurposed. And thank goodness, because Waldorf toys can be expensive!

Over four years we have slowly created our ‘Waldorf home’, shifting from loud and bright plastic toys to beautiful wooden and natural toys. And I am so thankful for the shift. Not only do they create a more beautiful environment, but the children play differently too.

play oven

Their play is deeper, more imaginative, and the noise is of their own making rather than from pressing buttons. Before we made these changes they would simply tip out the toy basket to see what was in there, making a huge mess and quickly losing interest. Our littlest does still think tipping out the smaller baskets is fun at times, but it is not the way they play anymore.

Our toys are presented differently and I think this helps.

They are now all visible in secondhand baskets (op shops are the best place to find these), displayed on our Waldorf playstands (also second hand from Gumtree and what a happy find that was). Or part of our play kitchen area which is always ready for play (including our repurposed heater which is now an oven).

doll house puzzel

We have more loose parts for them to create and play with. Playsilks, sticks, and lots and lots of blocks.

Loose parts are brilliant because the children decide what they are.

They can be used for building all sorts of things and as the children grow their building grows with them. My son who is now 7 still plays with blocks more than any other toy. He makes spaceships, rockets, elaborate towers and castles. While my daughter makes fairy house after fairy house *grin*

Waldorf doll

Some of our beautiful Waldorf dolls are also secondhand. Found through Waldorf buy sell swap groups and much less than buying new. Our wooden doll house puzzle was also found through one of these groups.

And the other brilliant place for finding things is at the tip shop! Yes, seriously, the tip shop! Our gorgeous rocking horse was an absolute bargain from the tip shop. He just needed a very good clean.

rocking horse

And of course, many Waldorf toys can be found in nature or handmade.

Where is your favourite place to find secondhand Waldorf toys?

Happy playing, Kelly

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This post was part of the series ‘How to bring Waldorf into your home…’  by Kelly from Happy Whimsical Hearts. You can see more of the series here

 

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9 Comments

  • Reply Zena September 8, 2015 at 9:30 am

    We love our Second Chance shop at the The Tip. Second hand Waldorf Shop is such a great idea. I’ve sent a request to join. I love the Waldorf doll hair. So much fun. You have created very beautiful play spaces that encourage so much imagination.

  • Reply Kate Lloyd September 8, 2015 at 5:32 pm

    Oh I can’t tell you how much I love this post. So lovely to step into your beautiful world. So inspiring

  • Reply Kate - The Craft Train September 8, 2015 at 10:25 pm

    It looks really beautiful and I can see why you’ve chosen that direction for your children’s play environment. I wish I’d thought ahead to create something like this. I’ve started a toy rotation system (aka a good excuse to bundle up more than half the toys and hide them in the garage), and my daughters do have some nice looking things but there is still lots of plastic everywhere!

  • Reply kate @ livinglovinglaughing September 8, 2015 at 10:53 pm

    Just so beautiful! And so satisfying to score a second hand treasure, huh? love all your finds! Also so good to be so intentional about them rather than bringing home any old thing.

  • Reply Sara @ Happiness is here September 9, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    Your home looks so lovely!

  • Reply Janice September 10, 2015 at 9:32 pm

    Oh, I just adore your home and the kid’s play space. Simply beautiful and so inspiring.

  • Reply Chelsea September 11, 2015 at 9:50 am

    Just gorgeous. I love how you have the toys set up and can imagine it being such a lovely environment for the kids.

  • Reply Bek @ Just For Daisy September 11, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    So beautiful Kelly! Makes me want to come and play myself! We’re slowly transitioning some of our items this way… but there’s still lots of sneaky plastics etc!! I do notice the play is different with more open ended toys and they play longer and so imaginatively it’s hard to deny the benefits of Waldorf style toys! 🙂

  • Reply Gemma September 14, 2015 at 10:00 am

    I love this post! I love looking at other people’s play spaces, so much inspiration. We bought our beloved wooden dollhouse at the tip shop for $2.50! Lots of lovely Waldorf bargains to be found if you look in the right places.

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