Hi, I’m Laura.

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

Becoming a mum has been the most magical, messy, and wonderfully chaotic journey. 

The Play People began as my own creative outlet — a colourful escape for the days that all blurred together, with a colicky first baby and too much time to think in the middle of the night. An escape from the bad news of the world, just an anxious doom scroll away. The joyful distraction I needed in the dark days of a missed miscarriage and an overwhelmingly anxious pregnancy to our rainbow baby. 

A creative business had always been at the back of my mind, and it took having children to finally find one that felt right. One that champions small businesses and other mums building their businesses in nap times and pockets of time. 

What started as a focus on sensory play — playdough, potions, and playbases — has slowly grown into a wider collection of toys, tools, and treasures designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and wonder.

I wanted to bring together those unstoppable one woman show brands while also including popular favourites that are known and loved so they can be shopped alongside each other. 

For me, The Play People is about celebrating the joy of play and the magic of connecting with our kids at play time. 

Because the days feel full and busy and the early years really do zoom past. It’s a reminder to myself to get lost in play, even for just a little. To grow back down again, lean into creativity and connect with my girls in moments that will last long after the toys are put away. 

I hope you find something you love or we can just add a little joy to your scroll. 

Laura x