How to bring Waldorf into your home Archives ~ Page 13 of 22 ~ Happy Whimsical Hearts

Secondhand Waldorf 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.

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).

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*

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.

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

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

September 7, 2015 by Kelly

A Winter lantern walk

Playgroup last week was extra special.

The children excitedly held their lanterns and walked through our playsilk spiral to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Some of the children held lanterns they had made themselves, while others held lanterns made for them. The warming flames held their attention, as one of the playgroup mums sang to lead them through the spiral, twisting and turning through.

My plan had been to use leaves to make a more traditional spiral. On the day though I placed colourful playsilks instead, making a pretty silk spiral that was interspersed with candles and flowers. The spiral was actually made of two spirals, so the children could make their way through without having to leave the spiral the way they entered.

A spiral lantern walk is a traditional way many Steiner communities mark the Winter Solstice. It represents the inner aspects of the season, an introspection. While the lanterns represent hope, inner light and warmth. And as we spiral out we mirror nature with the days now becoming longer.

It was a beautiful morning!

And like many things in life, our playgroup has changed and evolved since my friend and I started it. Playgroup is now held in my home (my lovely friend has moved far away!). With the changed surroundings our rhythm has also shifted.

We now start our mornings inside with the children playing with the play kitchen, balance board, blocks and dolls. And of course there is bread making ~ I’m not sure playgroup would feel the same without it (although when we go to the gardens we bake a cake and it is still lovely *grin*).

The children are really drawn to our bread making and their bread creations are becoming really wonderful. This week we had snails, butterflies and spirals. They all want to take part in making our morning tea whether it is cutting the fruit or buttering the warm bread.

Then outside we venture, the children running out to the cubby house and sandpit. Wanting to see if anything has changed since last time. We draw them close for morning tea by singing seasonal songs. After enjoying our bread and fruit they all venture off to play. In the mud kitchen, back to the cubby house or even a visit around the side to see the chickens *smile*