At Louise Kool and Galt, we believe a child’s environment is their "third teacher." This philosophy is beautifully realized at the Royal Ontario Museum’s WonderWorks and Canadian Museum of Nature, a reimagined play-based space where young explorers experiment and connect with art, culture, and nature. To support this world-class destination, we have integrated furniture that mirrors the museum's natural aesthetic while standing up to the demands of a high-traffic environment.
In a busy play space like WonderWorks, quality isn't just a luxury, it’s a safety requirement. Our Community Playthings furniture is purpose-built for longevity.
The Woodcrest Chairs are a hallmark of this durability. Crafted from one-piece multi-ply laminated maple with a child-safe clear finish, these chairs feature an ergonomic "waterfall" front to support circulation and posture during long periods of play. Their wide-based, tip-resistant design ensures stability even when the room is buzzing with energy.
For the adults in the space, the Community Playthings Teacher Low Chair offers a safe, ergonomic seating solution that allows staff and guardians to interact with children at their eye level without physical strain.
Community Playthings tables are ideal for WonderWorks because their tool-free leg adjustments allow staff to quickly adapt surface heights for different age groups or to provide immediate clearance for children using wheelchairs. This versatility ensures that the play-based environment remains inclusive and accessible for every young explorer who visits the museum.
The Nature View Play Greenhouse acts as a captivating centerpiece, creating an inviting "room within a room". Its open, architectural frame and warm wood finish harmonize with the museum’s organic design, offering a dedicated sanctuary for quiet observation or creative play while maintaining clear sightlines across the vibrant space. The thoughtful integration of imagery on Nature View Play Greenhouse ensures that the furniture isn't just a structure, but a sensory bridge that connects young learners to the natural world.
Complementing this natural aesthetic, the Nature View Curve Out and Curve In Sofas use flowing, modular silhouettes to mirror the soft contours found in the outdoors. As you can see in the pictures below, these pieces serve as versatile spatial tools rather than just seating. They define discovery zones and create cozy alcoves that transform the open hall into an intimate, child-sized landscape perfect for exploration.
Corner without the Nature View Curve Out and Curve In Sofas.
Corner with the Nature View Curve Out and Curve In Sofas.
Community Playthings has long been a popular choice for museums, galleries, and exhibit spaces. The Canadian Museum of Nature also invested in Community Playthings classroom tables and Woodcrest Chairs, previously used in their hands-on art program for the Rewilding: The David Suzuki Art Prize exhibit.
In this exhibite, visitors could use the Community Playthings tables and seating to experiment and play with techniques inspired by one of the featured artists. In this case, it was Laara Cerman’s Fallen Tree, New Life!
As a member of the Canadian Museum of Nature team shared:
“The furniture is a huge glow-up from the banged-up folding tables and banquet chairs we were using previously… it looks so warm and natural in the space!”
In a high-traffic environment like Royal Ontario Museum’s WonderWorks and Canadian Museum of Nature, the combination of Community Playthings' structural integrity and the Nature View collection’s nature-inspired design ensures the gallery remains beautiful, safe, and functional for years. At Louise Kool and Galt, we are proud to support the next generation of curious minds through a play environment that is as robust as it is inspiring.
Explore our natural learning collections at louisekool.com to transform your own discovery space or museum.
Science Exploration Table
