Freckled Frog Everyone's Family

Everyone's Family is a 26 piece wooden set representing a broad mix of genders, cultures, ages and abilities. The figures answer the question of what a family can look like, giving children many combinations to play with. With 26 pieces, there is scope to build several households and communities at once.

Because the set includes people of varied ages, genders, cultures and abilities, children can arrange them into families that look like their own and families that look different. This flexibility supports conversations about diversity, equality and belonging. Playing this way helps children feel that all kinds of families are normal and valued.

The figures suit pretend play and role-playing, standing in for family members, neighbours or characters in a child's story. Children can group them into households, act out everyday routines, or mix them with other playsets and blocks. Open-ended play means the same figures support many different scenes over time.

By showing many types of people together, the set gives children everyday exposure to diversity and difference. As they play, children can talk about who belongs in a family and community, building empathy and acceptance. Seeing themselves and others reflected helps develop a positive sense of identity.

The 26 figures vary in height from about 7cm to 13cm with a 2cm thickness, giving a natural range of characters. They are made with FSC New Zealand pine, with images printed using non-toxic heat transfer technology and sealed under a clear matt varnish. Wipe them with a dry or barely damp cloth to keep them clean.

It is suitable for children aged 1 year and over. Younger children hold and stand up the figures and name who they see, while older children build detailed family stories and conversations. This makes the set useful from toddler play through the early primary years at home or in the classroom.