WELCOME TO THE LAUGHING KOALA

Australia’s home of affordable, Montessori-inspired educational toys that are thoughtfully chosen to support your child’s learning journey. At our store, we’re passionate about helping little ones reach their developmental milestones through purposeful play. Our carefully curated range is designed to spark curiosity, encourage independence, and nurture growing minds, core principles of Maria Montessori’s educational philosophy. Explore our three age-appropriate collections today and discover the smart toys your child needs to thrive, all through the joy of play.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE MONTESSORI TOYS?

They are toys designed based on Montessori principles, which emphasize hands-on learning, independence, and natural materials. We carefully hand select a range of toys that focus on simplicity, real-world relevance, and age-appropriate design and function to support your child's development.

ARE MONTESSORI TOYS BETTER THAN TRADITIONAL TOYS FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT?

Absolutely! Montessori toys are designed with a specific philosophy in mind - one that supports a child's natural development through hands-on, purposeful, and independent learning.

These toys offer a range of developmental benefits:

1. Purpose-driven design – Each Montessori toy is created with a specific learning goal, often aimed at building motor skills, problem-solving abilities, coordination, and independence.

2. Minimalist aesthetics – Made from wood or other natural materials, with muted colors, these toys reduce overstimulation. Fewer distractions = more focused engagement.

3. Independent exploration – Montessori promotes the belief that children learn best through self-directed discovery. These toys support open-ended play, sparking creativity and decision-making.

4. Real-life relevance – Many Montessori toys replicate real-world tasks like pouring, stacking, or matching, helping kids build confidence and feel capable in their daily environment.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH TOY IS RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?

Each toy we carefully hand-pick is thoughtfully categorised into three age groups: Infants (0–12 months), Toddlers (1–2 years), and Preschoolers (3+ years). For your peace of mind, every toy comes with a detailed description, including age recommendations and the specific developmental skills it supports such as fine motor skills, problem-solving, and more. If you're unsure which toy is the best fit, we're here to help so please feel free to reach out anytime!

DO YOU OFFER RETURNS OR EXCHANGES?

Yes, we have a 30-day return policy for unused toys in their original packaging. Visit our Returns & Exchanges page for more details.

DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?

We currently ship within Australia and to New Zealand, with plans to expand! As our focus is on providing our customers with affordable educational toys we provide FREE SHIPPING on all toys to reduce the price you pay at checkout.