Olli Ella Blog

Some of childhood's biggest moments happen through play. A tea party becomes a chance to practise kindness. A trip to the pretend doctor makes tomorrow's real appointment feel a little less daunting. A favourite companion listens to every story, every secret and every big feeling along the way. While children are busy imagining new adventures, they're also learning about themselves and the world around them. Those everyday moments of play can help build confidence, resilience and emotional connection in ways that feel completely natural. Making sense of big feelings Children experience all sorts of emotions long before they have the...

In the early years, children don’t need much to begin exploring the world around them. A wooden spoon becomes a telephone for important conversations. A soft sponge turns into a bed for a well-loved companion. A handful of stones become stepping-stones across a make-believe river. With every touch, squeeze and discovery, children are learning how the world feels, one small moment at a time. What sensory play really means Sensory play is simply play that invites children to use their senses as they explore. It might be the feeling of soft fabric between their fingers, the crinkle of paper during...

Some companions are never far away. Others spend a little time resting on a favourite shelf, tucked into a cosy basket or waiting patiently for their next adventure. Giving plush toys a proper place to call home helps keep them looking and feeling their best, ready whenever your child reaches for them again. Here are a few simple ways to care for well-loved companions between adventures. Give them room to stay cosy One of the easiest ways to care for a plush toy is to avoid storing it where it's tightly squashed for long periods. When soft toys are compressed...

There's something special about giving a soft toy. Before the first cuddle, before they're carried everywhere or tucked into bed each night, there's the excitement of discovering a new little companion. The only tricky part? Soft toys aren't the easiest shape to wrap. Here are a few simple ways to make your gift feel just as thoughtful as what's inside. 1. A gift bag filled with tissue paper Sometimes the simplest option is also the loveliest. Choose a gift bag that's big enough for your plush toy, then layer in plenty of tissue paper to create a soft nest around...

It happens before you know it. One special companion becomes a shelf full of well-loved friends, each with their own adventures, favourite cuddle spots and treasured memories. Eventually, there comes a time to make a little more room, and that's when a new chapter can begin. Passing on soft toys is a lovely way to share those companions with another family, giving another child the chance to dream up their own stories and adventures. If you're wondering where to donate soft toys, we've gathered some of the best places across Australia, the UK and the US. Preparing your soft toys...

There’s something quite powerful about the way children care for dolls. A simple moment of feeding, cuddling or tucking in becomes a full story in motion, one filled with kindness, imagination and emotion. What looks like play on the surface is often a child making sense of the world in their own gentle way. Through these small, everyday moments, doll play becomes a trusted part of growing up. Learning kindness through care When a child picks up a doll, they naturally begin to care for it. It might be hungry, tired, or in need of a comforting cuddle. The child...

Children rarely need much encouragement to imagine. A doll can become a best friend, a brave explorer, a sleepy baby or the captain of a pirate ship before breakfast. Sometimes all they need is a little spark to get the story started. Here are a few pretend play ideas to inspire your next adventure together. Gentle everyday play for little ones For younger children, the most familiar routines often make the best stories. Bedtime routine Tuck a favourite doll into bed with a little blanket, a pillow and perhaps a bedtime story. It's a lovely way for children to care...

Some of the most-loved companions don't stay perfectly fluffy forever. After countless cuddles, bedtime stories, holidays and everyday adventures, it's only natural for a favourite soft toy to look a little different from the day they first arrived. The good news? A little care can often help them feel soft and cosy again, ready for many more adventures together. Why do plush toys lose their fluff? A well-loved companion spends a lot of time being hugged, carried and tucked under little arms. Over time, those everyday moments naturally flatten the plush fibres and gently compress the filling. Washing without the...

Many children find bedtime to be one of the trickiest parts of the day. From a child's perspective, they're being asked to stop playing, say goodbye to the day's adventures and trust that everything will still be there in the morning. A stuffed animal won't make bedtime perfect overnight, but a familiar companion can help children feel safe, settled and ready for sleep. Why do stuffed animals help at bedtime? Developmental psychologists describe beloved soft toys as transitional objects. They help bridge the gap between the security of a parent and a child's growing independence. The familiar weight, texture and...

Every great tea party starts with an invitation. There are guests to gather, treats to prepare and a table to set just right. Some visitors arrive wearing party clothes, others come with floppy ears or tiny paws, but every one of them has an important place at the table. The best part? Once everyone has arrived, your child decides exactly how the story unfolds. Here are a few ideas to help make tea time even more magical. The guest list comes first Every tea party needs wonderful company. Favourite dolls, cuddly companions and soft toys are always happy to accept...

Travelling with a toddler is always an adventure. The bags somehow fill up faster than expected, snacks disappear before you've even left home and every journey comes with a few surprises along the way. Whether you're heading off for a weekend away or a much-anticipated family holiday, having a few favourite toys close by can make the day feel calmer for everyone. The best travel toys don't just keep little hands busy. They bring comfort, spark imagination and help children feel at home wherever the journey takes them. What makes a great travel toy? When space is limited, every toy...

Some days, your little one's favourite companion needs an extra cuddle. Other days, they're running the busiest veterinary clinic in town, caring for poorly puppies, brave bunnies and magical creatures who need a little help before heading off on their next adventure. Pretend vet play is full of imagination, kindness and storytelling. Every patient has a tale to tell, and every visit is another chance for children to care, comfort and create a world of their own. Here are a few ideas to help bring your veterinary clinic to life. Welcome to the waiting room Every good vet practice starts...

Choosing a child's first doll is a special milestone. You're not simply picking out another toy, you're choosing a companion that may join family holidays, bedtime routines, visits to grandparents and countless imaginary adventures. The right doll can become a source of comfort, confidence and creativity for years to come. Here's what to look for when choosing a first doll for your toddler. What makes a good first doll for a toddler? When choosing a doll, consider the following: Size: A first doll should fit comfortably in little arms. Around 30 to 35 centimetres is ideal for most toddlers: large...

Some gifts are opened, played with once, then slowly forgotten. And then there are the ones that stay close by for years - the ones that get named, tucked into beds, taken on adventures and folded into everyday life. Imaginative play doesn’t need much to begin. But the right kinds of gifts can open the door to worlds your child returns to, each time with a slightly different story to tell. 1. A companion they can take everywhere The most powerful imaginative play often begins with a single companion. A doll, a soft animal or a cuddly friend becomes the...

Washing a plush toy removes everyday dirt, but it's only part of keeping your child's favourite companion clean. From trips to the park to playdates and bedtime cuddles, soft toys can pick up germs along the way. The good news is that disinfecting plush toys doesn't have to involve harsh chemicals or complicated routines. With the right approach, you can keep them fresh, safe and ready for many more adventures. Always start with the care label Before disinfecting any plush toy, check the care label. Most well-made soft toys can be machine washed, making them much easier to clean thoroughly....

Every well-loved companion eventually needs a little extra care. After countless cuddles, trips to the park, bedtime stories and everyday adventures, it's only natural for a favourite soft toy to pick up a few signs of a life well lived. The good news is that keeping them clean is usually much simpler than it seems. With a little care, they'll be ready for many more adventures together. Check the care label first Before you begin, take a look at the care label. Most quality plush toys can be machine washed, while others may need a gentler approach. The label will...

Somewhere between the ages of two and seven, something magical happens with your little one’s imagination. A cardboard box stops being just a box. It becomes a house, a rocket ship or a stable for tiny creatures. A puddle turns into an ocean. A beloved companion becomes a best friend, a travelling partner or the hero of a brand-new story. In these moments, children are no longer limited to the world around them. They’re building worlds of their own. What imaginative play looks like Imaginative play is simply what happens when children turn ideas into stories. It might be a...

Parents often feel pressure to keep children constantly entertained with organised activities, crafts and educational games. Yet some of the most valuable play happens when children are simply given the time and freedom to explore. Whether they're searching for pirate treasure, building a woodland village or turning the sofa into a mountain range, open-ended play encourages children to follow their own ideas. As they do, they're developing skills they'll use throughout childhood and beyond. The absence of rules: why open-ended play matters Structured games can be great fun, but they usually have a clear objective. Open-ended play is different. There...

We've all watched it happen. You carefully set up an activity, lay everything out just so, then your little one spots two wooden spoons, a blanket and suddenly they're off on an adventure of their own. It might not have been the plan, but that's often where the best stories begin. For children, play isn't something they have to learn. It's how they make sense of the world around them, one cuddle, conversation and make-believe adventure at a time. Whether they're setting up a picnic for their favourite doll or building a blanket fort for an afternoon expedition, every moment...

Rainbow realm is waking up… The rainbow above dinkum world has started glowing at bedtime again ✨  That only happens when new friends are close.  Deep inside rainbow realm, the fairies are hanging lanterns through the clouds, the unicorns are polishing their wish horns, and the dragons are practising rainbow puffs instead of fire. (some are better at it than others.) A magical new collection of Rainbow Realm Dinkum Dolls is almost here, including cuddly Cozy Dinkums, collectible Dinky Dinkums, magical Dream Dinkums, dragons, fairies, unicorns and pocket-sized friends made for play, collecting and bedtime snuggles. One keeps tiny treasures...

Lately, we’ve been noticing some Dinkum out and about. On café tables, enjoying a slow morning with a slice of cake. Tucked into prams at the park. At picnics on the sandy beaches, covered in sand. Peeking out from backpacks on the way to school. Curled up on car seats, coming along for the ride. Keep an eye out… you’ll start seeing them everywhere. They’re the ones being carried everywhere. That get a little more worn, a little more loved each day. Because Dinkums aren’t just for playtime at home. They’re for the everyday moments. FIND YOUR ADVENTURE BUDDY

Dinkum world feels a little busier today - in the best possible way. The Cozy Day Dinkums are waking up all around the world, and making themselves at home, among the tall grasses, winding paths, and sun-dappled clearings of Wildflower Wood. Awake, curious, and ready to be scooped up, snuggled, and added to your family. Lamby Tig Always knows what time it is - cuddle time, snack time, or time to organise everyone into a line. Bunny Pinkie A firm believer in dress-ups, picnics, and second breakfast. Bobby Bear Thoughtful, steady, and quietly wonderful — the truest friend you could...

The Boo Bunch Has Arrived — Meet the New Friends from Holiday Hollow Just past Wildflower Wood, where the pumpkins and candy canes grow, there’s a place called Holiday Hollow — and something soft, strange, and snuggly has just crept in. This Halloween, we’re opening the gates to the spookiest nook in Dinkum World. It’s where ghosts giggle, pies cool on crooked windowsills, and a soft breeze of magic hangs in the air. And this year? ✨ Willa the Switch Witch is back — and she’s brought friends. 🎃 Say hello to the Boo Bunch Willa’s never been one to...

If you ever find yourself drifting beyond the last bit of blue sky, you might stumble into the Rainbow Realm — a place where rainbows wriggle when you look at them, fairy bread grows like wildflowers, and the clouds smell faintly of candy floss. It’s a busy little world, full of wings and whinnies and the occasional puff of dragon-shaped clouds. And lately, the air’s been humming — the kind of hum that means new friends are on their way. the newcomers From the twinkling skies: Dream Dinkums – Freya: Moonlight walker with crinkly wings and a habit of staying...

  Let’s be honest: it rarely stops at one.The moment you meet your first Dinkum, something happens. A bond forms. A world opens. Suddenly, your Dinkum isn’t just a doll — it’s a friend, a companion, a character with quirks and dreams and favourite snacks. And just like that, the others start whispering your name from the shelves…If you’re new here: welcome. You’re in excellent (and possibly mildly obsessed) company. Here’s everything you need to know to begin your Dinkum journey - from your first doll to full-blown fandom. ~ 01 Who will be your first?   There’s a Dinkum...

2024 has been an exciting year for us, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about the new products we've launched! Our team has been working hard to bring some fresh new faces to our Olli Ella shelves and it’s been such a delight to see how loved they have all been. This year’s launches have been all about making playtime even more magical and fun. ~ With the year quickly coming to an end, we’re taking a moment to reflect and round up a few of our favourite new arrivals that have added a sprinkle of joy to homes all...

Black Friday chatter is everywhere, and amidst the noise, a little realness goes a long way! At Olli Ella, we’re more than just a toy company—our office is filled with real parents who know the ins and outs of finding meaningful gifts for kids. Who better to share their top Black Friday shopping tips? Our team is here with insights to help you score deals on gifts your kids will truly love and use.  ~ What's your number one tip for making the right purchases during Black Friday? Get Organised Before You Shop“Go in with a plan of the goodies you want, and don't...

Christmas is fast approaching, and the hunt for the perfect stocking stuffers is on! We’re low-key freaking out—how is it November already? It’s like we blink, and the year has passed; blink again, and suddenly our little ones aren’t so little anymore.  If there's one thing we've mastered since becoming mums who work at a kid’s toy company (dream job, right?), it’s how to make those stockings overflow with magic. We’re big believers in sharing, after all sharing is caring is what we tell our little ones - so here’s our top 7 list of stocking stuffers to make Christmas...