Waldorf Playroom Ideas

Waldorf playrooms can be beautiful. They can also be very expensive. When I first came across Waldorf, what drew me to it was the beauty. I am in love with the natural materials and the simplicity of the toys.

We have a small house so it’s important that any toy that comes into my house function in multiple ways. A toy that serves one purpose does nothing for a child’s imagination.

Waldorf toys are unique in the fact that they promote imagination they can be used multiple ways. That is part of the reason while they’re expensive, they can be worth the investment. But what if you’re on a very tight budget and you don’t have even that kind of wiggle room?

Here are a few suggestions to help you create a Waldorf playroom on a budget. 

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores are great because you can find a variety of items to use in your playroom. You can also take advantage of deals like Dollar Days or family days. Know what days offer the best discount and shop those days.

Baskets

One of the first things I look for at the thrift store is baskets. Baskets are great because my children use them to create farmers markets. They’ve used them as tiny houses for peg dolls or beds for regular dolls dolls. I use them to store the toys.

Scarves

The next thing I look at are the scarves. Scarves are excellent substitutes for play silks. My children have many scarves and they play with them daily. They create landscapes or tie them around their necks to become super heroes or princesses.

Wooden Toys

Lastly I look to see if there are any good wooden toys in the toy section although sometimes you can find a knick knack section or even home decor that would work as a wooden toy. I’ve found wooden animals and people in the decor section a few times.

Here are some toys we have invested in: 

DIY

If thrift stores are not your thing you could also DIY your toys. I am not a crafty person. I can’t sew or knit incredibly well, but the wonderful thing about children is they rarely complain about something handmade.

Tree Blocks

Tree blocks are incredibly easy to make and probably my son’s favorite toy. Making tree block is an easy process you just need a branch from a tree. We have used branches that came down in storms and we’ve used branches that needed to be trimmed. 

We simply cut them down into block size pieces and let them dry naturally for about 2-4 weeks. I do not seal the blocks with anything. Depending on the type of tree the bark will stay or need to be peeled off.

Sock Dolls

Another easy DIY toy is a sock doll. While it’s not as cute as a traditional Waldorf doll it’s a great place to get started. All you need is two pairs of socks and stuffing. You can find all kinds of tutorials for sock dolls on YouTube.

Peg dolls

Peg dolls are equally as easy and fun to create. We leave some plain. Others I have painted one solid color with a matching counterpart- maybe a mom and child set. Still others I have added felt capes or fake flowers even acorn cap hats too. You’re only limited by imagination and your supplies. 

Felted Roads

Another incredibly easy DIY toy is felted roads. I created this toy out of a large sheet of black felt cut into strips and some yellow felt Needle felted down the center. If you’ve never Needle felted before it’s fairly easy and you can also find tutorials online.

Use What You Have

Rocks and Other Nature Offerings

Alternatively you can also use found materials as toys. For example my children play with rocks and acorn caps. We have a basket dedicated to our acorn caps and rocks. They use these as everything from money to decorations on their block castles to toppings on mud pies.

Cardboard Boxes

My children particularly enjoy building with cardboard boxes. We got a weekly delivery from a company called Misfits Market and my children always claim the Box. Sometimes they build castles, sometimes they color the box, other times it can be a rocket ship or a bed for a doll. Cardboard boxes are great open ended items that are free. You could alternatively ask a store in your area if you could have a few cardboard boxes from them.

Pots and Pans

Another thing my children play with that I already had on hand are things like pots and pans. I love to declutter and as I declutter I look to see if there’s anything I can use alternatively and often in my kitchen there are things my kids can have for their kitchens. My kids have an indoor kitchen for winter time and a mud kitchen for fall spring and summer.

Make a Mud Kitchen 

Mud kitchens are often made are materials you already have on hand as well. Again we stopped Ours from supplies we already had around the house. We use things we decluttered from our kitchen. But my children also used things like rocks and acorn caps cut flowers and mud obviously. Mud kitchens are meant to be messy so don’t be afraid to let them get messy if you create one. My kids usually wear swimsuits or old t-shirts.

I hope you like this listing you found inspiration. Creating a beautiful childhood does not have to be expensive. Please feel free to leave any suggestions you have Below in the comments..

Psst. Check out my guide to Slow Living With Children!