About Us

Oskar's Wooden Ark is an Australian-owned family toy store, specialising in beautifully made wooden toys, educational resources and art & craft materials, all chosen to inspire open-ended play, hands-on learning and everyday creativity.

Where magic awaits...

A collection of four images showing behind the scenes moments in the early days of Oskar's Wooden Ark

Our Story

"I've been passionate about handmade wooden toys for as long as I can remember."

Simon grew up in 1980s Germany with a childhood full of open-ended play, and wanted to share that same magic with his own children. When his son Oskar was born in 2017, an idea was born with him.

That December, the family said goodbye to friends and family in Germany and moved to Australia with just ten boxes - one of them packed with Simon's own private collection of Grimm's wooden toys and handcrafted animal figures, kept close for the adventure ahead.

That collection became the spark. Once settled, Simon and Thuy began sourcing beautifully made toys from craftspeople and small makers around the world, and opened Oskar's Wooden Ark to share that same sense of wonder with families across Australia.

Years on, their family has grown, their small team has grown, and their warehouse has grown - but their mission hasn't changed.

Read more about our story

What we Believe

We choose toys and resources lovingly made by hand. Designed, cut, sanded, sewn and painted by skilled independent makers around the world, so every piece has its own story.

Everything is made to last, using eco-friendly, natural materials wherever possible, because we care as much about the planet our children grow up on as the play that fills it.

That thinking carries through to how your order arrives, too. We choose packaging that can be reduced, reused or recycled wherever possible, and we love seeing our customers do the same.

Meet our Dream Team
A collection of four images showing Simon and Thuy in the Oskar's Wooden Ark warehouse, as well as the team enjoying a celebration

Thank you for jumping on board the Ark with us and supporting our family business.

Our mission is simple: to provide unique, sustainable, high quality toys and resources that inspire families to play, learn, create and celebrate life's magical moments together.

Simon & Thuy 🌈

Explore our World

Two Children exploging Open Ended Play with a collection of Grimm's Rainbow and Wooden Toys and Blocks from Oskar's Wooden Ark in Australia
Play
Children painting with Stockmar Paint, creating watercolour paintings with art supplies from Oskar's Wooden Ark
Create
Boy writing with Lyra Pencil at School Desk, with other art materials, Learning Resources and School Work Essentials from Oskar's Wooden Ark in Australia
Learn
Celebrations and Rituals - Oskar's Wooden Ark, Australia
Celebrations & Home