Ostheimer

Experience the world through play with Ostheimer wooden toys.

Through varied and true sensory impressions, children experience their environment, learn and develop. Through play, they experience the world and make it their own. The gateway to the world is formed by the senses. The more varied and "real" the sensory experiences are, the more varied the child can develop and learn.

Waldorfshop wants to bring joy to children and families with the products and gifts from our online shop! That is why we work together with selected manufacturers, such as the company Ostheimer, and obtain the majority of our wooden figures and wooden animals from them.

The most important principle for our product range development is that the toy should be played with by the child and not play at the child. Only in this way can it accompany the child in creative play and leave room for the child's own creativity.

With the Ostheimer wooden figures and wooden animals, children can immerse themselves deeply in creative play. Be it the Ostheimer figures for playing with the farm or the figures for the cot - with the Ostheimer wooden figures and wooden animals, you give your children a long-lasting, sustainable and lovingly produced wooden toy!

Advantages of Ostheimer wooden figures

Compared to artificial materials, wood, as a material that comes from nature, enables rich sensory perceptions. The sense of touch and smell are addressed in many ways. And the wooden figures and animals are even suitable for babies, as they can safely put the toys in their mouths.

According to Waldorf education, children in the first seven years learn primarily through imitation, which is why the staff at Ostheimer wish to produce wooden figures and animals that can convey a beautiful and loving image of the world with people and animals.

Ostheimer figures are sustainably made from local woods in traditional handicraft in Germany. Each figure is a lovingly designed unique piece that immerses children in lively, imaginative play. All materials are certified and guarantee a high-quality toy as well as tested safety.

Ostheimer manufactures toys out of conviction. Conscious of real quality, they produce sustainably, designed by hand, in a beautiful togetherness. This is how new things are made possible and good things are given to children!

The history of Ostheimer

After the closure of the Waldorf school toy company, where the founding couple had met, by the Nazis in 1939, Walter and Adeline Ostheimer started their first own toy collection.

In 1943, a toy company was set up under the name Klaus Spielzeug, employing up to 30 people in its best days.

After the company goes bankrupt in 1950 due to competitive pressure, Walter and Adeline Ostheimer start manufacturing wooden toys again in 1958 at the Hohenfried facility for the disabled.

Gradually, the range expands from jumping jacks and movable wall pictures made of plywood to the first wooden figures, which still characterise the typical Ostheimer style today.

In the 70's the company grows, the assortment is extended and the nativity figures are sold successfully.

In 1982, Ostheimer was able to build its own building with a home, workshop and shipping department, which has grown to meet the demands of the business to this day.

In 2001, Margarete Ostheimer, the daughter of the founding couple, transfers the company from private ownership to a foundation, the non-profit Walter and Adeline Ostheimer Foundation, which supports forward-looking social initiatives and projects with the aim of not accumulating profits but returning them to the cycle of living together.