If you've been scrolling through Instagram lately, chances are you've spotted one — a gorgeous, colour-blocked magnetic play wall mounted in a beautifully styled kids room, covered in letters, dinosaurs or little chef sets. And you've thought: we need that.
You're not wrong.
Magnetic play walls have become one of the most popular additions to Australian kids rooms, and for good reason. They're open-ended, educational, and frankly - they keep kids busy for ages.
But with a few options now floating around, how do you choose the right one?
Here's what to look for.
What Makes a Great Magnetic Play Wall?
Not all magnetic walls are created equal. Here's what actually matters:
1. Magnet Strength This is the big one. Weak magnets = frustrated kids = magnets all over the floor. Look for walls with strong, reliable magnetic surfaces that hold pieces firmly - especially if your little one is on the rougher side (we see you, toddler parents).
2. Size After two years of development and testing different sizes, we found the one that works best. At 95 x 60 cm, it’s designed to fit perfectly on walls, the back of doors, wardrobes and more. Not too wide and not too tall — just the right size, based on feedback from over 280 parents.
3. Colour & Design Here's where it gets personal. Your play wall is going on your wall — it needs to look good in your home. The best magnetic play walls come in thoughtful, interior-friendly colours that complement modern Australian homes, not clash with them.
4. What Can You Put On It? The wall is just the beginning. The real magic is in the magnet sets — letters, numbers, shapes, imaginative play sets. The more compatible sets available, the more your child's play can grow and evolve over time.
5. Durability Kids are not gentle. Your magnetic play wall needs to handle being grabbed, bumped and occasionally used as a climbing apparatus (not recommended, but here we are). Quality materials make a big difference.
Why Smartypals?
At Smartypals, we designed our magnetic play walls with Australian families in mind — from the carefully chosen colour palette (Rose, Sky, Clay, Checkered, Lavender and more) to the ever-growing range of magnet sets that snap straight onto every wall we make.
Our walls are built to last, designed to look beautiful, and made to grow with your child from age 3 right through primary school.
And the best part? Every single magnet set in our range - from Alphabet to Dino Discovery to Little Chef — is fully compatible with every PlayWall colour we make.
One wall. Endless play.
