PlayOn

What PlayOn does

PlayOn is a South African manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer of soft play, sensory therapy, and movement equipment designed for children aged 0–100, with applications in pediatric occupational therapy, special-needs education, and inclusive play. Founded in 2003 by Colin Levin, an engineer with deep pediatric OT expertise, the company operates from a factory and head office in Selby, Johannesburg, supplemented by an interactive showroom at Joy Jozi in Dunkeld. Its portfolio comprises more than 80 modular systems, including Move Sets, Stack Sets, Arch Sets, OT Starter Sets, individual shapes (blocks, wedges, barrels, rockers), balance equipment, swings, ball ponds, weighted sensory tools, tunnels, climbing walls, and a flagship proprietary portable Multi-Sensory Therapeutic Environment called the Sensory Box. PlayOn also distributes complementary international brands (Gymnic, Franklin Method, Viga, The Pencil Grip, Smart Games, Tiger Tribe), positioning itself as a curated one-stop shop for therapy and developmental products in South Africa.

The business model combines one-time product sales via e-commerce (playon.co.za) with custom design, manufacturing, and professional installation services for larger sensory rooms, playgrounds, and differentiated classroom projects. Pricing is set in South African Rand across a wide range — from approximately R22 for small accessories to R90,000 for large structures like the Play Pod — with custom fabric and color options and made-to-order lead times of 3–4 weeks. Revenue also derives from equipment recovery and reupholstery services, and from project-based design fees that are credited against implementation. International orders in 20+ countries are handled via email quotation with region-specific pricing and shipping arrangements, while domestic South African customers can transact online, visit the appointment-based showroom, or commission end-to-end design-build projects with the in-house installation teams.

Name

PlayOn

Legal name

PlayOn

Website

https://playon.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PlayOn is a South African manufacturer and e-commerce retailer of modular soft play, sensory therapy, and movement equipment for children. It serves schools, pediatric occupational therapists, families, and commercial play venues across 20+ countries via direct sales, a showroom, and custom design/installation services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Play and Sensory Integration Equipment

NAICS

Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAIAF

Early Childhood & Playground Equipment (Play Structures, Soft Play, Safety Surfacing)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Education Supplies, Equipment & Furniture Procurement

SECONDARYHSAAAIAE

Sensory Processing & Sensory-Friendly Childcare

Home & Personal Services/Childcare, Babysitting & Nanny Services/Special Needs & Inclusive Childcare Services

Keywords

• Soft play equipment
• Sensory therapy products
• Pediatric occupational therapy
• Therapeutic play systems
• Sensory integration equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (E-commerce): Direct-to-consumer sales through the playon.co.za e-commerce platform. Products are sold at fixed unit prices in South African Rand. Includes soft play sets, individual pieces, sensory equipment, furniture, and multi-sensory room components. International customers receive region-specific pricing via email inquiry.
2. Custom Design and Installation Services: Full spatial and product design solutions for sensory integration rooms, multi-sensory environments, playgrounds, and differentiated classrooms. A design fee is incurred for larger projects and credited towards implementation. Professional installation teams build and install playscapes nationwide.
3. Equipment Recovery Services: Recovery and reupholstery services for existing equipment, offering customers a cost-effective alternative to purchasing new products when inner structures remain in good condition.
4. Sensory Box Customization: The Sensory Box MSTE is customized to client needs based on evaluation, with quotations provided after assessment of specific requirements. Represents a higher-value custom product offering.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PlayOn designs, handcrafts, and sells soft play, sensory therapy, and movement equipment for children aged 0–100, offering 80+ modular products ranging from Move Sets, Arch Sets, and OT Starter Sets to weighted sensory tools, swings, ball ponds, multi-sensory room components, and the proprietary portable Sensory Box MSTE. The company sells through its own e-commerce site, an appointment-based showroom, and a design-and-installation service for larger projects, serving schools, pediatric occupational therapists, families, and play venues in South Africa and 20+ countries internationally.

Product overview

PlayOn is a South African manufacturer and online retailer of soft play, sensory therapy, and movement equipment for children aged 0-100. The product portfolio centers on a modular soft play system comprising Move Sets, Stack Sets, Arch Sets, and OT Starter Sets in various configurations, complemented by individual shapes (Blocks, Wedges, Rollers, Barrels, Rockers) and balance equipment (Balance Beams, Rocker Boards). The sensory line includes the flagship Sensory Box (a portable multi-sensory therapeutic environment with inflatable pod, projectors, and ball pond), weighted products (blankets, vests), tunnels, and spandex items. Additional categories cover swings, ball ponds, mats, scooter boards, multi-sensory room equipment (bubble tubes, fibre optics, projectors), studio furniture, and plastic play items. PlayOn also distributes complementary brands including Gymnic balls, Franklin Method fascia tools, Viga wooden toys, Pencil Grip handwriting supports, Smart Games puzzles, and Tiger Tribe creative kits. Products are designed for occupational therapy practices, schools, and homes, with customization options available through fabric and color selections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Products support development of balance, coordination, core strength, motor planning, and sensory processing across children with diverse needs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Jozi for AutismminorOthersCharitable beneficiary supported by PlayOn's giving back initiatives. PlayOn supports organizations bringing more opportunities, awareness and play experiences to communities around Johannesburg with their Mobile Play program.
• Siyadlala SiyafundaminorOthersCommunity organization receiving support from PlayOn's giving back initiatives. Contributes to bringing play experiences and opportunities to communities around Johannesburg.
• Joy Jozi RestaurantminorOthersHost venue for PlayOn's interactive showroom. Located at 51 Eastwood Road, Dunkeld, Joy Jozi is a family-friendly restaurant and play venue where PlayOn's showroom operates by appointment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Playworld Systems: Established US playground equipment manufacturer serving schools, parks, and inclusive play. Adjacent to PlayOn's playground and inclusive play offerings, but at substantially larger scale and broader outdoor scope.
• Kompan: Global playground and outdoor fitness equipment manufacturer. Comparable to PlayOn's playground and play-structure segment (e.g., Play Pod), but at much larger scale and focused on outdoor commercial installations.
• Flaghouse: Long-established distributor of special-needs, physical education, and sensory equipment. Overlaps with PlayOn's sensory and soft play range but offers a much broader portfolio across multiple therapy categories.
• Sammons Preston (Patterson Medical): Major rehabilitation and therapy equipment supplier including the Tumble Forms line. Overlaps with PlayOn's OT/therapy products but operates across the full rehabilitation continuum.

Others

• Learning Resources: Educational toy and manipulatives manufacturer distributed into schools and homes. Comparable to the educational products PlayOn distributes (Viga, Smart Games, Tiger Tribe) and a relevant adjacency rather than direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Southpaw Enterprises: US-based manufacturer of sensory integration and vestibular equipment for pediatric occupational therapy. Directly comparable to PlayOn's sensory swings, weighted products, and OT Starter sets, serving the same therapist and special-needs school segments.
• TFH (Therapy Fun for Homes): Designer and distributor of swings, sensory equipment, and soft play for home and therapy use. Directly comparable to PlayOn's home segment and suspended/sensory swing catalog.
• Experia USA: Specialist in multi-sensory environments, including portable sensory rooms and Snoezelen-style installations. Highly comparable to PlayOn's Sensory Box (MSTE) and multi-sensory equipment range.
• Abilitations: School- and clinic-focused provider of sensory, motor, and adaptive equipment. Comparable to PlayOn's OT/school segment and modular therapy systems.
• Fun and Function: Online retailer and manufacturer of sensory, OT, and special-needs products including weighted items, swings, and tactile tools. Closely mirrors PlayOn's mix of own-brand sensory equipment plus complementary therapy brands.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Geppettos-World-100063646645035
• Instagraminstagram.com/playon.za
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/playonza

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PlayOn