Our Story

How a love of play turned into Canberra's favourite toy shop.

From Market Stall to Main Street

PlayJoy Toy Emporium began in 2018 when Emma and Jack Whitfield decided to turn a shared passion into something real. Both parents themselves, they were frustrated by the sea of mass-produced plastic lining department-store shelves. They knew there had to be a better way — toys that sparked genuine curiosity, lasted longer than a weekend, and didn't cost the earth (literally).

Armed with a trestle table and two suitcases of hand-selected wooden toys, they set up their first stall at the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston. Weekend after weekend, families came back. Word spread. The suitcases multiplied.

By mid-2019, Emma and Jack signed the lease on a sun-filled shopfront in Weston Creek, and PlayJoy found its permanent home. Today the shelves are stocked with everything from sustainably made building blocks and art supplies to cuddly companions crafted by independent Australian makers.

What hasn't changed is the founding belief: every child deserves toys that respect their intelligence, fuel their imagination, and tread lightly on the planet.

What We Stand For

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Handpicked Quality

Every item on our shelves has been tested, researched, and chosen with care. We stock toys that are built to last — pieces children reach for again and again, long after the novelty wears off.

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Eco-First Approach

From FSC-certified timber to plastic-free packaging, sustainability guides every buying decision we make. We believe play shouldn't come at the planet's expense.

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Community Spirit

We champion independent makers, host in-store craft mornings, and partner with Canberra schools for creative-play workshops. This shop belongs to the community as much as it belongs to us.