One local mum has been making a splash with her kids’ playsuit business.
Erin Feeney was a stay-at-home mum to three preschoolers who loved exploring the outdoor acreage of their Kurwongbah property. While Erin enjoyed seeing her girls get stuck in and play in nature, she said she didn’t love the mountain of laundry that came with it – especially after a rainy day.
“The girls wanted to be outside no matter the weather,” she said. “If it had been raining, they’d come back absolutely covered in mud.
“After a long stretch of rain last year, the girls were devastated when I told them they couldn’t go out to play. Even gumboots and raincoats weren’t enough to keep them dry.”
Originally from Ireland, Erin remembered the protective rainsuits used back home and started looking for something similar in Australia.
“Everywhere I searched, I just couldn’t find what I was looking for – an all-in-one playsuit for rainy days, muddy play and messy crafts,” she said. “It also needed to be light enough for Queensland’s climate.”
From Kitchen Table to Thriving Business: Puddle Play is Born
After coming up with nothing and seeing an opportunity in the market, Erin decided to create the solution herself. That idea turned into her small business, Puddle Play.
“I started the business at my kitchen table, sourcing suppliers and perfecting the design – and it quickly took off,” she said.
“Every time I took the girls out in their suits, other parents would stop me to ask about them. Soon I was distributing to local daycares, playgroups and selling at markets across the area.”
She said the puddle suits were designed to be lightweight, waterproof, multipurpose and foldable, with a detachable hood. They come in three sizes (1, 2 and 3) and are slightly larger to allow for clothing underneath.
“The response has been incredible, and I love that my simple idea helps children get outdoors and saves parents a pile of laundry,” Erin said.
She said she had plans to expand the range and hoped that Puddle Play would inspire more families to embrace the outdoors – rain, shine, or puddles in between.
For updates, visit Puddleplays online store or find Puddle Plays on Facebook and Instagram.
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