Småland welcomes back kids as iconic IKEA play area is officially reopened

Tuesday 11 August 2026: IKEA Tempe is bringing joy back to family shopping, with Småland — IKEA’s iconic free, supervised play area — officially reopening this Saturday 15 August. Tempe is set to be the first IKEA store in Australia to reintroduce the original Småland concept, post‑COVID, serving as the pilot for a wider national rollout.

First introduced globally in the 1990s, Småland drew inspiration from the real Swedish province of the same name — known for its forests, red cottages and the resourceful spirit that shaped IKEA’s founder, Ingvar Kamprad. Over time, it became one of IKEA’s most cherished traditions, woven into childhood memories and weekend routines for families around the world.

Its return signals a renewed commitment to family‑friendly retail and responds directly to strong customer demand. While parents browse, shop or enjoy a coffee, kids can immerse themselves in imaginative play all within a safe, inclusive and thoughtfully designed environment. Småland is fully supervised by trained IKEA co‑workers who have completed the legislatively required Children’s Worker Safety Check, ensuring a secure and supportive space for every child.  

As part of the global redesign, the iconic ball pit — a feature loved by generations — is not included in this version of Småland. IKEA’s global development team has noted that the ball pit simply hasn’t yet been re‑engineered for the updated concept, with plans to explore how it could return in future iterations.  

Tiffany Mosura-Lesnock, Manager for IKEA Tempe: “Småland has always been a special part of the IKEA experience. Its return marks a big moment for families — a place where imagination, play and downtime come together. The reboot is incredible and brings in new elements that take the experience to the next level, from refreshed creative zones to new active play features.  The one thing you won’t see just yet is the iconic ball pit, it hasn’t been re‑engineered for the new concept, so it’s sitting this round out. But the great thing about this phase is that we’re testing the concept with a new generation to see what they love, and what we might be able to reconsider for the future. In the meantime, there’s still plenty for kids to dive into. We’re thrilled to welcome Aussie families back to Småland at Tempe.”  

IKEA Tempe is the pilot location for Australia. While Småland is also available in Perth, Richmond and Springvale as an unstaffed play space, IKEA is currently reviewing the rollout plan for additional staffed locations. Timing will be confirmed once Tempe’s reopening is complete and customer feedback has been gathered.  

A Play Space Inspired by Sweden   

Småland is far more than a play area. Inspired by the forests of southern Sweden, every detail has been designed with children’s wellbeing in mind, blending fun with functionality to support a wide range of needs, from active play to creative expression and quiet time. In Swedish, små means “small”, making it the perfect name for a place where little adventurers can take on big experiences.  

What’s Inside the Reopened Småland   

The beloved experience families remember has returned, refreshed with new zones designed to spark imagination, movement and creativity:

• Active Zone: A dynamic zone featuring a tree house with a bridge and slide, a balance path, soft‑foam flooring and climbing elements — all designed to spark movement, confidence and imaginative exploration.
• Creative Corner: A bright, hands‑on space with drawing boards, a drawing‑display cloud, a theatre house with a funny mirror to inspire creativity, storytelling and artistic play.
• Calm Area: A cosy retreat with a hammock house, mirrors, soft cushions, a sitting platform and a TV box — perfect for downtime, quiet play or simply recharging between adventures.  

Safety, Supervision and Inclusion   

Småland is fully supervised by trained IKEA co‑workers who have completed the legislatively required Children’s Worker Safety Check and annual Småland‑specific training, including first aid, CPR, Epi‑Pen use, safety procedures and inclusive care. A strict co‑worker‑to‑child ratio is maintained at all times.  

Children must be aged 3–8 years, fully toilet‑trained, and able to use the bathroom independently. Children with special needs who meet the age and toilet‑training requirements and can play without one‑on‑one supervision are warmly welcomed as are service animals.  

Key Details

• Opening Date: Saturday, 15 August 2026
• Location: Inside IKEA Tempe on ground level, under the escalator  
• Opening Hours:  
  • Monday–Thursday: 11:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday: 11:00am - 7:00pm
  • Saturday–Sunday: 10:30am - 8:30pm
• Session Length:  
  • 30‑minute free play
  • IKEA Family members receive an additional 30 minutes
• Age Range: 3–8 years, independently toilet‑trained without assistance
• Cost: Free
• Capacity: Up to 36 children per session

What Else Do Parents Needs to Know  

Comfortable clothing is recommended; shoes are removed for play, but socks must stay on.  

Parents are asked to remain inside the IKEA store while their child is in Småland so they can be easily contacted if needed.  

Personal mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers and crutches are welcome.  Parents can share allergy, medical or accessibility information during check‑in. Items such as Epi‑pens or inhalers can be stored securely with the child’s belongings.  

Children showing any signs of illness will not be admitted to Småland.  

• Food & Drinks: No outside food, gum or drinks (except water)
• Personal Items: No electronics or personal toys are allowed to avoid loss or damage. Children who use AAC devices or personal mobility devices are welcome to bring these into Småland to support their communication and comfort.