From a Little Mouse to a World of Wonder: The Story of Senger Naturwelt

At the heart of Senger Naturwelt lies a simple dream, to create toys that nourish the soul, spark the imagination, and leave a light footprint on our planet. But like many beautiful things, it all began with a story.

A Tale of Two Dreamers

Volker Senger grew up in the quiet village of Obersinn, nestled between the Spessart and Rhön. It was in Berlin, however, where the real journey began. While studying psychology, Volker crossed paths with Sabine, a bookseller and children's literature enthusiast. Between publishing a comic magazine and absorbing Berlin’s creative pulse, Volker found himself at a crossroads. When their publishing project ended, the couple made a bold decision: they left city life behind and returned to the countryside.

There, in Volker’s mother’s long-silent clothing workshop, something new began to take shape. Playful, peculiar, and full of personality.

The First Mouse

Volker and Sabine weren’t interested in mass-produced fashion, they started making dolls just for fun. But it wasn’t long before fun turned into purpose. With inspiration from Sabine’s love of classic children's books like The Wind in the Willows, their first mouse puppet was born. It had a regular doll body and a mouse head, and it quickly won hearts. One little girl named her mouse “Philip,” and soon, other children wanted one too.

Encouraged by the warm response in Berlin’s alternative toy shops, Volker and Sabine expanded their animal family to include elephants, rabbits, and more.

A Growing Family, A Growing Mission

Founded in 1985, Senger Naturwelt has stayed true to its roots: making cuddly toys that inspire joy while honouring nature. The brand’s philosophy is to rejecting disposable, imagination-limiting toys in favour of soulful, sustainable companions.

Each animal is made from certified organic cotton, filled with locally sourced sheep's wool, spelt husks, or cherry stones, and crafted with love in Latvia. Even today, Senger continues to work with many of the same local suppliers, proudly upholding their commitment to quality and tradition.

Every detail matters, from the velvety handwoven cotton plush to the cherry pits from the Swabian Alb. Each component is carefully chosen for safety, sustainability, and touchable charm. With all their materials coming from trusted sources such as the Organic cotton which comes from Franconia and Turkey. The Spelt husks, cherry pits, and grape seeds from the Swabian Alb and the Sheep’s wool from free-roaming flocks in the Eifel.

In 2023, Senger Naturwelt became fully GOTS-certified, a major milestone that reflects its unwavering commitment to environmental and social responsibility. The Global Organic Textile Standard ensures ethical practices at every step, from farming to final stitching. That means no toxic chemicals, no exploitative labor, just clean, honest craftsmanship.

Behind every Senger animal is a dedicated team, many of whom work in the brand’s in-house workshop in Latvia, where craftsmanship is elevated to an art form. Sewing a Senger companion is no small feat, it requires care, creativity, and a deep understanding of form and function.

Warm or Cool, Always Comforting: More Than Just a Cuddly Toy

Senger Naturwelt has a line of Cuddly Toys to sit alongside their Floppy Toys. These cuddly toys have been created to be more than just a soft and snuggly companion. Hidden inside is a removable pillow filled with natural spelt grain or cherry pit stones, designed to be gently heated or cooled for extra comfort. Whether your little one needs soothing warmth or refreshing coolness, this versatile friend is ready for every adventure.

Warm it up: The spelt/cherry pit/grape seed pillow can be gently heated to provide comforting warmth, perfect for easing tummy aches, soothing sore muscles, or offer cozy comfort at bedtime.

Using an Oven: Remove the insert and warm the pillow in the oven at 75°C (about 165°F) for 2–3 minutes.
On a Radiator: You can also place it on a warm radiator.

⚠️ Important: Do not heat the spelt/cherry pillow in a microwave, as it poses a fire risk.
Always follow heating instructions carefully.

Cool it down: On hot days or after a little bump or bruise, the spelt/cherry pit pillow can become a refreshing cool pack. Cooling helps reduce swelling and inflammation from bruises or sprains, and provides relief during warm weather.

In the Fridge Remove the insert and chill it in the fridge for a few hours, or overnight.
In the Freezer: For extra coolness, place it in the freezer in a freezer bag to keep it clean and dry.

Find all these Comforting cuddle toys HERE.

Caring for your Senger items means they will be with you for many years. The outer cover is washable, simply remove the spelt/cherry filled pillow before cleaning. Do not wash or submerge the spelt/cherry pillow in water.

Please note: Some individuals may have sensitivities or allergies to spelt grain/cherry pit stones.

These lovable Cuddly Toys are the perfect blend of soft toy and gentle therapy, a cuddly companion that brings comfort in every season.

Senger Naturwelt Today

What began with a mouse named Philip has grown into a beloved brand recognised across the world. Yet the heart of Senger Naturwelt remains unchanged: to offer toys that are more than just playthings. They are stories, memories, and lifelong friends, made with love and respect for the world we share.

Explore all of our Senger Naturwelt toys HERE.