ABC Play School: A Beloved World of Imagination, Toys, and Ethical Craftsmanship

For generations of Australian children, ABC Play School has been more than just a TV program, it has been a doorway into imagination, creativity, and early learning through play. With its iconic characters, gentle storytelling, and hands-on activities, Play School continues to hold a special place in homes, classrooms, and hearts across the country.

ABC Play School is Australia’s longest-running children’s television program, created by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). It first aired in 1966 and remains one of the most watched and most trusted early childhood programs in the country, continuing to be enjoyed by multiple generations of families across Australia.

The show is built on a simple but powerful philosophy: children learn best through play, imagination, and storytelling. This approach is grounded in early childhood education principles that value curiosity, emotional development, and hands-on exploration as key foundations for lifelong learning.

Each episode invites children to explore everyday ideas: weather, emotions, friendships, nature, and creativity—through songs, crafts, stories, and play-based learning. These themes are presented in a gentle, engaging way that encourages children to ask questions, express themselves, and make sense of the world around them at their own pace.

At the centre of the Play School world are its much-loved toy characters:

• Big Ted
• Little Ted
• Jemima
• Humpty
• Kiya

These characters are not just toys on screen, they are emotional anchors that help children connect with storytelling and learning in a safe, familiar way.

Want to view these characters? Visit our online store.

A Commitment to Slow, Meaningful Toy Making

In a world of fast production and disposable toys, Tara Treasures takes a different path, one that values time, care, and intention. The ABC Play School licensed toy collection is created through a slow-making process that prioritises quality over quantity, ensuring every toy is individually shaped, stitched, and finished by hand.

This approach means no two toys are ever completely identical. Subtle variations in stitching, texture, and form are not imperfections, but a reflection of the human hands behind each piece. These differences give every Big Ted, Jemima, or Humpty a unique personality, making them feel even more special to the child who receives them.

The ABC Play School collection is designed to honour the nostalgia and warmth of one of Australia’s most cherished children’s programs. 

Each character is carefully wet felted into soft, tactile felt toys that encourage storytelling, emotional connection, and open-ended play.

From Big Ted’s comforting presence to Humpty’s playful charm, every piece is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the personality and spirit of the original characters children know and love.

But beyond their visual charm lies something even more important: ethical production at every stage.

Each ABC Play School toy is lovingly handmade by skilled women artisans in Nepal, continuing Tara Treasures’ long-standing commitment to fair trade and empowerment. Every piece begins its journey in the hands of makers who bring patience, precision, and pride to their craft, ensuring each character is thoughtfully shaped and finished with care.

These artisans use traditional felting techniques passed down through generations, ensuring every toy carries a sense of cultural heritage and craftsmanship. This approach not only preserves valuable skills but also provides sustainable, dignified employment opportunities for women in local Nepalese communities. It also helps strengthen community resilience, as many artisans are able to work close to home while balancing family responsibilities, education, and daily life.

By choosing these toys, families are directly supporting:

• Fair wages and safe working conditions
• Flexible, home-based or community workshop employment
• Preservation of traditional felting skills
• Long-term economic empowerment for women artisans

Behind every Big Ted or Jemima toy is a carefully considered production process grounded in sustainability.

This ensures that each toy has a lighter environmental footprint while maintaining the highest level of quality and detail.

ABC Play School toys are made not just for today’s children, but for future generations. Their durability, timeless design, and emotional familiarity mean they can be passed down within families, extending their life far beyond a single childhood.

Unlike mass-produced plastic toys, felt toys carry warmth and texture that invite slow, imaginative play. They encourage children to create stories, build worlds, and engage deeply with characters they recognise from screen to hand.

This longevity is central to sustainable design: fewer toys, made better, and loved longer.

The ABC Play School range reflects the core philosophy behind Tara Treasures: play should be meaningful, sustainable, and kind to both people and planet.

When a child holds Big Ted or Humpty, they are not just holding a toy, they are holding a story of craftsmanship, empowerment, and care.

Through ethical production, we aim to ensure that every moment of play also creates a positive impact in the world.