Play Silkies: Beautifully Crafted for Open-Ended Play
The Story of Play Silkies
Play Silkies began with a simple moment of connection between a mother and her child, and the discovery that sometimes the most magical toys are the simplest ones.
Founded by Kate in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges of Victoria, Australia, Play Silkies grew from a love of play that was gentle, imaginative and full of possibility. The inspiration came from watching her young daughter discover the wonder of a traditional silk scarf - a simple piece of fabric that became a world of adventure, creativity and connection.
What started as a moment of shared play quickly became part of everyday family life. A silk became a peek-a-boo game, a blanket for beloved teddies, a flowing cape, a beautiful dress or anything else a child could imagine. There were no instructions, no right or wrong way to play - just endless opportunities for creativity and storytelling.
With a background in primary education, Kate understood the incredible value of open-ended play and the way simple materials can support children's imagination, confidence and development. Together with her husband John, she created Play Silkies with the hope of sharing the same joy and connection that these beautiful silks had brought to their own family.
Every Play Silkies product is thoughtfully designed to encourage imaginative play while being strong enough to become part of childhood adventures for years to come. After extensive testing, Play Silkies has created silks that balance durability with the qualities children love most - soft, flowing, lightweight and wonderfully tactile.
At Little Acorns to Mighty Oaks, we love Play Silkies because they embody the beauty of open-ended play. A simple silk can become anything a child dreams up - a superhero cape, a magical landscape, a cosy blanket, a costume or a doorway into an entirely new world of imagination.
Sometimes the simplest materials create the biggest adventures.
Thoughtfully Tested for Peace of Mind
At Play Silkies, safety is just as important as imagination.
Every Play Silkies product is independently safety tested to meet both Australian and European toy safety standards, ensuring they are made with the highest level of care for little ones. Their silks have been tested for physical and mechanical safety, flammability, and the migration of certain elements, alongside rigorous checks for harmful substances and materials.
From the dyes used to create their beautiful colours, to the materials and packaging that surround each silk, every part of the process is carefully considered. Play Silkies also meet strict requirements relating to chemical safety, including testing for substances regulated under REACH and European toy safety legislation.
Designed for children from birth, Play Silkies combine the beauty of natural open-ended play with the reassurance that comes from thorough testing and responsible manufacturing.
Because childhood should be filled with creativity, exploration and wonder - and parents should feel confident in the materials their children play with.
The Magic of Open-Ended Play
One of the most common questions we hear about play silks is: “But what do children actually do with them?”
And it’s a wonderful question - because the answer is different for every child.
A play silk doesn't come with a set of rules or a single purpose. Instead, it becomes whatever a child’s imagination needs it to be. One day it might be a superhero cape, the next a cosy blanket for a favourite teddy, a flowing skirt, a magical river, a picnic cloth, a puppet theatre curtain or the roof of a secret den.
Their beauty lies in their simplicity. With their vibrant colours, soft texture and gentle movement, Play Silkies invite children to create their own stories, explore new ideas and transform everyday moments into imaginative adventures.
Often, the best toys are the ones that leave the most room for imagination. Give children a few beautiful, open-ended materials and they will show you exactly what they can become.
Gentle Beginnings: Play Silkies for Babies
Even the youngest children are naturally drawn to the beauty of a play silk. The soft texture, flowing movement and gentle colours invite little hands to reach, grasp, pull and explore, creating wonderful opportunities for sensory discovery from the very beginning.
For babies, a Play Silkie can be a simple yet captivating experience. A silk attached to a play gym encourages reaching and grasping, helping little ones explore movement, cause and effect and their developing coordination. The feeling of the soft fabric between their fingers and the sight of the silk moving through the air creates moments of curiosity and wonder.
On a gentle, breezy day, a Play Silkie can be taken outdoors and hung where babies can watch it flutter and dance in the wind. The movement of the fabric, changing colours and connection with the natural world provide a calming visual experience that encourages observation and early sensory development.
As babies grow, Play Silkies continue to offer new ways to explore. A simple game of peek-a-boo becomes a moment of laughter and connection, helping little ones discover object permanence while strengthening the special bond between child and caregiver. A silk can be hidden beneath, waved through the air, pulled close or transformed into part of a favourite game.
For older babies, pulling a silk from a basket or container creates a wonderful opportunity for exploration. The repetition of pulling, discovering and starting again encourages concentration, coordination and a growing sense of independence.
Beautifully simple and wonderfully versatile, Play Silkies grow alongside children through every stage of early childhood — offering sensory exploration, gentle movement and countless opportunities for connection, imagination and joyful discovery.
Creating Cosy Cubby Spaces
Play Silkies are perfect for creating cosy cubbies and imaginative hideaways. Draped over chairs, tables or even tree branches, they transform everyday spaces into secret forts, magical castles or peaceful little retreats.
Creating a cubby encourages problem-solving, creativity and spatial awareness, while also providing a comforting space for quiet reflection, storytelling and imaginative adventures. Children can layer, tuck and weave their silks to create a private world that feels entirely their own — a place to dream up stories, explore ideas and enjoy slow, mindful play.
The soft, flowing texture of Play Silkies adds to the sensory experience, making cubbies feel warm, inviting and full of wonder. Whether it becomes a cosy reading nook, a secret hideaway or the setting for a grand adventure, a simple silk can transform an ordinary space into somewhere truly magical — a place children will return to again and again.
Dressing Up with Play Silkies
Play Silkies invite children to step into a world where imagination leads the way. A simple piece of silk can become anything a child dreams up — a flowing cape for a brave adventurer, a royal gown, a pirate sash, a magical pair of wings or a costume for a character that exists only in their imagination.
The soft, lightweight fabric moves beautifully with children as they play, encouraging creativity, self-expression and storytelling. With no set purpose or instructions, Play Silkies allow children to explore different roles, create their own narratives and bring their ideas to life in completely unique ways.
Dressing up with Play Silkies supports imaginative thinking, confidence and social-emotional development as children experiment with characters, act out stories and explore different perspectives. They can layer colours, tie silks in new ways and combine different pieces to create endless possibilities — each play experience becoming a new adventure.
Play Silkies are also wonderful for shared play. Siblings and friends can work together to create costumes, build imaginary worlds and develop stories, encouraging collaboration, communication and connection.
Whether it becomes a quiet moment of make-believe or part of a grand adventure shared with others, dressing up with Play Silkies gives children the freedom to explore, create and express themselves through the simple magic of open-ended play.
Gift Wrapping with Play Silkies
Play Silkies are not only a beautiful addition to children’s play — they are versatile, timeless pieces that can become part of everyday family life in many different ways.
Inspired by the Japanese tradition of Furoshiki, the mindful art of wrapping and carrying items in cloth, a Play Silkie can transform a simple gift into something truly special. A carefully folded silk adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness, turning the act of giving into a moment of creativity, connection and care.
Using Play Silkies for gift wrapping reflects the beauty of choosing items with longevity and purpose. Unlike single-use wrapping paper, a silk can be enjoyed again and again — becoming part of celebrations, family traditions and meaningful moments long after the gift has been opened.
Each fold, knot and colour combination offers a chance to add a personal touch, creating gifts that feel as beautiful on the outside as they are within. A Play Silkie can wrap a birthday present, create a special keepsake bundle or simply bring a little extra magic to everyday moments.
At Little Acorns to Mighty Oaks, we love products that extend beyond one purpose and become woven into family life. Play Silkies are a wonderful example of this — a simple piece of natural fabric that can inspire imagination, encourage mindful living and hold memories for years to come.
Water Play
There is something truly magical about combining water and Play Silkies. As the silk becomes wet, it flows, floats and moves in entirely new ways, inviting children to explore texture, movement and colour through open-ended sensory play.
Whether floating across a water tray, drifting in a paddling pool or gently swirling through a stream, Play Silkies encourage children to observe how water changes the way the fabric moves. They can scoop, squeeze, pour, swirl and watch the silk dance beneath the surface, creating a wonderfully calming and immersive play experience.
Water play with Play Silkies naturally supports curiosity, creativity and scientific thinking as children explore concepts such as floating, sinking, movement and cause and effect. It also provides rich sensory experiences that encourage mindfulness and quiet concentration.
Outdoors, Play Silkies can be combined with water and nature to create even more opportunities for discovery. A wet silk draped over rocks, floated along a gentle stream or carried by the breeze offers endless possibilities for imaginative play while helping children connect with the natural world.
We love activities that encourage children to slow down, experiment and explore through their senses. With nothing more than a Play Silkie and a little water, ordinary moments become beautiful invitations to wonder, create and discover.
Small World Play
Play Silkies bring a wonderful sense of colour, movement and imagination to small world play. With nothing more than a piece of silk, children can transform an ordinary play scene into an enchanted landscape filled with endless storytelling possibilities.
A Play Silkie can become a winding river, a rolling meadow, a sparkling lake, a mountain range or a starry night sky. Draped over blocks, baskets or natural materials, the flowing fabric adds depth and texture, inviting children to build miniature worlds where their favourite animals, dolls and wooden figures can embark on countless adventures.
Because Play Silkies are completely open-ended, each play scene is unique. A blue silk that is an ocean one day may become the sky the next, while a green silk might transform into a forest, a grassy field or a hidden fairy garden. As children rearrange, layer and combine their silks with loose parts and natural treasures, they develop creativity, storytelling skills and imaginative thinking.
Small world play also encourages concentration, problem-solving and language development as children invent characters, create narratives and bring their ideas to life. The soft movement and vibrant colours of Play Silkies add a sense of wonder to every scene, making each miniature world feel beautifully alive.
We love how a simple Play Silkie can become the backdrop to hundreds of different stories, proving that the most open-ended materials often inspire the richest imaginative play.
Pretend Play
Pretend play is where Play Silkies truly come to life. With no fixed purpose or instructions, a simple silk can become almost anything a child imagines, encouraging creativity, storytelling and endless open-ended adventures.
One moment, a Play Silkie might be a superhero's cape billowing through the air. The next, it becomes a pirate's treasure map, a magician's cloak, a royal robe, a fairy's wings or a picnic blanket for a favourite teddy. It can become a shopkeeper's display, a doctor's blanket, a chef's apron or the sail of a ship setting off on an exciting journey. With every new idea, the silk transforms alongside the story.
Because Play Silkies don't dictate how they should be used, children are free to invent their own characters, create imaginative worlds and explore real-life experiences through play. This kind of pretend play helps develop language, confidence, emotional understanding and social skills as children experiment with different roles and perspectives.
Whether playing independently or alongside siblings and friends, Play Silkies naturally encourage collaboration and communication. Children negotiate storylines, solve problems together and build imaginative adventures that can evolve over hours, days or even weeks.
We believe the most treasured toys are those that leave room for a child's imagination to take the lead. Play Silkies do exactly that, offering endless opportunities for pretend play, creative expression and the simple joy of becoming whatever a child dreams they can be.
Throwing & Catching
Play Silkies are a wonderful way to encourage movement, coordination and active play. Their lightweight, flowing nature means they drift gently through the air, giving children plenty of time to watch, anticipate and catch them.
Unlike a ball that drops quickly, a Play Silkie floats, twirls and dances as it falls. This slower movement makes throwing and catching more accessible for younger children while helping to develop hand-eye coordination, balance and gross motor skills in a fun and engaging way.
Children can experiment with tossing their silk high into the air, watching how it twists and glides before catching it again. They might throw it to a friend, race to catch it before it lands, or simply enjoy observing the different ways it moves with every toss. On breezy days, outdoor play becomes even more magical as the wind carries the silk in unexpected directions, inviting children to run, chase and explore.
Because Play Silkies are so soft and lightweight, they are ideal for active play both indoors and outdoors. There are no hard edges or heavy impacts, allowing children to move confidently while developing coordination, body awareness and spatial skills.
We love how something as simple as throwing a Play Silkie into the air can inspire movement, laughter and joyful discovery. Sometimes the simplest games become the most memorable, encouraging children to move, play and delight in the wonder of watching a colourful silk dance through the air.
Outdoor Play
There is something truly special about taking Play Silkies outdoors, where nature becomes part of the play. In the fresh air, a simple silk comes alive, dancing on the breeze, catching the sunlight and inviting children to explore the world around them with curiosity and imagination.
A Play Silkie can become a flowing river winding through the garden, a picnic blanket beneath a favourite tree, a flag marking a woodland adventure or a sail for a make-believe boat. It might be gathered with leaves, flowers and sticks to create nature-inspired artwork, wrapped around treasures collected on a walk or woven into an imaginative game that changes with every season.
The gentle movement of the silk encourages children to slow down and notice the world around them. They watch it flutter in the wind, drape it over branches, trail it through long grass or allow it to float alongside them as they run, jump and explore. Every outing becomes an opportunity for open-ended play, movement and discovery.
Outdoor play with Play Silkies naturally encourages creativity, physical activity and a deeper connection with nature. There are no rules to follow or outcomes to achieve — only endless possibilities shaped by the changing landscape and a child's imagination.
We believe some of the richest play experiences happen outdoors. Whether exploring the garden, visiting the woods or simply enjoying a walk in the park, Play Silkies bring an extra touch of colour, wonder and imagination to every adventure, reminding us that the natural world is one of the greatest play spaces of all.
Play Silkies FAQ
What are Play Silkies made from?
Play Silkies are made from 100% pure mulberry silk - a beautiful, natural fibre known for its softness, strength and timeless quality.
Unlike synthetic fabrics or blended materials, pure silk is a natural and biodegradable material that feels wonderfully gentle in little hands. The high-quality 8 momme silk used by Play Silkies provides the perfect balance of durability and delicacy, allowing children to enjoy flowing movement, imaginative play and sensory exploration while still maintaining the beautiful translucent quality that makes play silks so magical.
How do I care for my Play Silkie?
With a little gentle care, Play Silkies can become a treasured part of childhood play for many years.
Silks can be hand washed in plain water or with a mild, neutral detergent. We recommend avoiding harsh chemicals, bleach and fabric softeners, as these can damage the delicate silk fibres. After washing, simply hang your silk to air dry — they should not be placed in a tumble dryer.
Like many natural materials, silk becomes softer and more beautiful with use, developing a unique character as it accompanies children through their imaginative adventures.
Where are Play Silkies made?
Play Silkies are thoughtfully manufactured in China by a trusted factory that manages the complete production process in-house.
The factory operates under internationally recognised quality and environmental management systems, including ISO9000 quality certification and ISO14001 environmental certification. Their manufacturing processes focus on responsible production, efficient resource use and reducing unnecessary waste.
By working with a manufacturer that oversees the full process from start to finish, Play Silkies can maintain consistent quality while reducing additional transportation and production waste.
What age are Play Silkies suitable for?
Play Silkies are designed to be enjoyed by children of all ages — from babies through to older children.
They have been independently safety tested to meet Australian and European toy safety standards and are certified safe from birth. Their open-ended nature means they can grow alongside children, becoming a sensory toy for babies, a costume or prop for toddlers, and a creative storytelling tool for older children.
As with all toys, young children should always be supervised during play. Play Silkies should not be used as bedding for infants under 12 months of age.
Are Play Silkies sustainable?
Natural materials have always been at the heart of Play Silkies. Made from pure silk, these beautiful play materials offer a more natural alternative to many synthetic fabrics.
Silk is a renewable and biodegradable fibre, meaning it can naturally return to the earth at the end of its life rather than contributing to long-lasting plastic waste. Its strength and durability also mean that a well-loved Play Silkie can be enjoyed through years of imaginative play, passed down between siblings and treasured for generations.
Play Silkies also considers sustainability within their manufacturing process by choosing a factory that manages production from start to finish and using custom silk rolls to help minimise fabric waste.
For us at Little Acorns to Mighty Oaks, this is one of the things we love most about play silks — a single piece of natural fabric can inspire countless hours of creativity, reducing the need for toys with a single purpose.
What sizes do Play Silkies come in?
Play Silkies are available in a range of sizes, each offering different possibilities for imaginative play:
- Mini: 45 x 45cm
- Little: 60 x 60cm
- Regular: 90 x 90cm
- Jumbo: 180 x 90cm
- Giant: 270 x 110cm
From a small silk for sensory play and peek-a-boo games, to larger sizes perfect for costumes, dens and imaginative landscapes, there is a Play Silkie to suit every stage of childhood.
