IKEA heads to the Himalayas with ALPTALL, a new children's collection

In partnership with Swedish wildlife conservation centre Nordens Ark, the ALPTALL collection brings the dramatic landscape and wildlife of the Himalayas into the home.

The new children's collection from IKEA reveals a world in which the elusive red panda shares a home with thick-furred yaks and roaming camels. This is the third collection IKEA has done in collaboration with Nordens Ark, a partnership that highlights endangered animals in their natural habitat. From dense forests to desert sands and snowy mountain peaks, the Himalayas are brought to life in a collection showcasing soft toys, textiles and hand-drawn illustrations.

"When we visited Nordens Ark, we weren't set on our next location until we spotted the Red Panda," says Bodil Fritjofsson, Better Homes Leader. "They are so rare to see in the wild and comically throw their hands up in the air when startled. With its extraordinary range of ecosystems, the Himalayas are rich with inspiration and home to species that need greater awareness and protection."

The nine depicted soft toys are chosen in close collaboration with Nordens Ark, each with a special story to bring a stronger emotional connection and understanding to wildlife preservation. The collection includes a soft rug with the walking pawprints of animals and a children's towel with a hood featuring the shy face of the red panda. Bed linens include prints inspired by the striking Himalayan landscape, alongside pink and blue duvet covers with red pandas and floral motifs. Complementing the bedding, pastel-coloured seat cushions are shaped like flowers, while a storage bag, and art supplies including stickers and colouring books round out the collection.

Animals in the wild at home

Working closely with Nordens Ark, designer and illustrator Malin Gyllensvaan brought the animals, flora and fauna to life through expressive hand painted illustrations, balancing the realism of the animals while making them look welcoming enough to also cuddle.

"When drawing the animals, you want to capture their traits and natural state in the wild, and also make sure people fall in love with them," says Malin. "The Pallas's cat, which has a flat face, wears a bit of a grumpy expression, so you have to find a way to make that adorable as well."

The soft toys are made from 100% recycled polyester, including the faux-fur fabrics which are adept at creating different textures, densities, and lengths. For example, the wild yak has shaggy hair-like strands in some places and velvety short fur elsewhere, made to mimic the real animal's appearance. Since 1997, IKEA has embroidered the eyes of the soft toys, not only proving safer than using beads, but also giving the eyes a more expressive quality.

Why the Himalayas?

The Himalayas are a world of contrasts, from deserts to the world's highest peaks. Its animals are just as remarkable, each uniquely adapted to survive in extreme environments. The wild yak's enlarged heart and lungs help it breathe in thin mountain air, while the Pallas's cat's unusual round pupils help it navigate through bright, snowy landscapes.

"As much of the terrain is remote and difficult to navigate, conducting the research and conservation work needed can be challenging," says Mats Höggren, CEO of Nordens Ark. "That's why we're so pleased to see these animals spotlighted, with furry friends that can inspire greater understanding, appreciation and care."

IKEA of Sweden AB will continue to support Nordens Ark in this ongoing collection, by raising awareness for endangered species, while Nordens Ark will continue to share its knowledge and support in developing new products that aim to evoke children's curiosity. In addition, several IKEA retailers are launching a donation campaign supporting a local non-profit organisation committed to the purpose of preserving, protecting or enhancing the planet's natural environment and animals.

Play in the home

Play is a natural way for children to learn, explore and make sense of the world around them. However, the most recent IKEA Play Report showed that only 51% of children are happy with the amount of time they have for play, and 54% of parents would like to have more time to play with their children. IKEA hopes to take the pressure off play, by creating moments in daily life where children are given space to explore and imagine, with pieces specifically designed to spark curiosity.

"At IKEA, we believe play has an important place in everyday family life. With ALPTALL, we are making room for imagination and discovery in familiar routines, using the animals and landscapes of the Himalayas as a starting point. A bedroom can become a place to explore a wild terrain and bedtime a moment to tell stories about the world beyond our own. In this way, ALPTALL brings play, compassion, and learning together in a simple, everyday way," says Maria Törn, Range Area Manager Children's IKEA.

ALPTALL will be available at IKEA stores globally and online beginning October 1, 2026.