An heirloom toy is more than something a child plays with. It’s something they remember.
Lovingly made, built to last, and designed to be passed down, heirloom toys tell stories across generations.
At Oskar's Wooden Ark, we believe toys should do more than entertain—they should inspire connection, creativity, and care.
Take our Grimm’s Large Stepped Pyramid. Crafted from FSC-certified wood and finished with non-toxic, child-safe colours, this timeless building set is designed to grow with your child and your family. From construction challenges to imaginative play, it becomes part of your child’s world - encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and joyful discovery at every stage. Available in bright rainbow colours and natural wood.
Wood is expressive, refined through the passing of time. It is so robust that it stays with us...it tells the story of nature and life.
~ Grimm's Wooden Toys
Or consider the beautiful wooden trucks, trains, cars and planes from Telleby Debresk, handcrafted in Sweden with a silky-smooth finish and real working parts - ready for years of adventures!
A toy should be something a child wants to care for; something worth protecting. Let children play with materials that feel alive, that carry warmth and presence. In doing so, we help raise a generation ready to care for the world around them.
~ Telleby Debresk
Heirloom toys are made to last, often using high-quality natural materials like wood. They are designed to withstand years of play and offer a sustainable alternative to cheaply made plastic toys that may break easily.
Every Mader spinning top is turned by hand in Austria, a tradition master woodturner Klaus Mader has perfected over decades. Each wooden top is painted with incredible precision and spins with satisfying balance and grace.
In Romania, Bumbu brings nature to life, carving animals, trees, and figures by hand using locally sourced wood and vibrant, earthy colours.
Bikeho Wooden Toys are lovingly crafted in workshops led by skilled artisans who guide and support individuals with physical and learning impairments. Each piece is beautifully imperfect, carrying unique traces of nature - designed not only to spark creativity but also to engage the senses.
Heirloom toys don’t just last because they’re made well.
They last because they matter.
Whether you choose a cuddly Senger Naturwelt Goose, a soft companion filled with organic cotton and wool, or a Nanchen Natur doll dressed in natural fibres - these toys build emotional bonds.
They’re loved and remembered.
Tools like From Jennifer’s Hundred Frame turn learning into hands-on fun and help children build confidence through tactile experiences - far beyond a screen.
When a toy is made slowly, with care and purpose, it shows. You feel it in the weight of the wood, the texture of natural fibres, the smoothness of a hand-sanded edge...
These aren’t just toys. They’re childhood memories in the making...
What makes a toy last a lifetime? From handcrafted wooden toys by Grimm’s and Bumbu to soft companions by Senger Naturwelt and Nanchen Natur, explore the beauty of heirloom toys made to be cherished and passed on.
NAIDOC Week presents a profound opportunity for children and adults alike to explore and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and achievements through meaningful hands-on learning. Meaningful learning unfolds when children engage with their hands, hearts, and imaginations—and what better way to honour the world's oldest continuous cultures than through play, art, and creative expression.
Create your own Rainbow Cloud Mobile for your child's bedroom or playroom using recycled cardboard, rainbow beads and your favourite art materials with this fun and simple family-friendly craft activity and free template download.
