Will the Playwall work on my wall?
Let's find out together — in about two minutes. The Magnetic Playwall™ loves most smooth indoor walls, and this quick guide shows you exactly how to check yours before it arrives.
Good news: most modern painted walls are a perfect match.
No glue, no drillingMicro-suction technology — thousands of tiny suction cups grip smooth surfaces with zero residue.
95 cm × 60 cmA generous play space that installs in minutes. Removable, repositionable and reusable.
Indoor, ages 3+Designed for smooth indoor surfaces at little-hand height. Not sure about yours? Keep reading.
The quick compatibility check
Every home is different, so here's the honest run-down of where the Playwall thrives, where it's worth a quick test, and where it's best to choose the board-backing option instead.
- Cured painted plaster walls (matte, satin or eggshell)
- Glass and mirrors
- Painted timber and smooth doors
- Laminates and melamine
- Cupboards and wardrobe doors
- Whiteboards and other smooth, sealed surfaces
- Stain-resistant or “washable/scrubbable” paints
- Low-VOC or “air-purifying” paints
- High-gloss or very slick finishes
- Lightly textured or roller-stippled walls
- Older paintwork you're unsure about
- Heavily textured, chalky or rendered walls
- Bare or painted brick and concrete
- Wallpaper, peeling or flaking paint
- Wax-coated, oiled or greasy surfaces
- Damp walls or bathrooms with high moisture
- Freshly painted walls (see the 6-month rule below)
It's all about the finish, not the colour
Micro-suction grips by making contact with a smooth, sealed surface — so what matters is how your wall feels, not what shade it is. Run your hand across it: the smoother and cleaner, the better the hold.
Smooth & sealed = happy suction
Matte, satin and eggshell paints on cured plaster are the sweet spot. Glass, mirrors, laminate and painted timber are excellent too. If it's smooth to the touch and firmly stuck to the wall itself, you're in great shape.
A quick word on “clever” paints
Stain-resistant, washable and low-VOC “air-purifying” paints are designed to repel marks — which can also mean less grip for suction. They often still work, but they're the ones most worth a 2-minute test first (below).
Popular Aussie paint ranges to test first
Some premium and specialty finishes from these ranges can be more suction-shy than others. If your walls were painted with one of these, we simply recommend the quick test before you commit — you'll know in two minutes.
This list isn't exhaustive, and it doesn't mean these paints won't work — most do. It's just a friendly heads-up to test first.
The 2-minute wall test 🕑
Not sure? Don't guess, do this simple check with something you already have at home. It tells you exactly how your wall will behave before your Magnetic Decal arrives.
Grab a piece of clear sticky tape
Sticky tape and micro-suction aren't the same thing, but tape is a great at-home stand-in for checking how smooth and sound your paint surface is.
Wipe the wall and let it dry
Give your chosen spot a wipe with a barely-damp cloth to lift dust, then let it dry fully. Dust is the number-one reason suction underperforms.
Press the tape on firmly, wait 30 seconds
Smooth it down well so it makes full contact, just like the Playwall will.
Peel it off slowly and look closely
If the tape lifts cleanly and no paint flakes come away, your surface is smooth and sound — a great sign. If paint lifts, flakes or the wall feels chalky, choose the board-backing option instead.
Feel the surface
Finally, run your palm across the wall. Glassy-smooth is ideal. Sandy, bumpy or textured means suction won't get the contact it needs.
Freshly painted? Give it time to breathe 🎨
New paint keeps releasing moisture and hardening for months after it looks dry. Applying anything to it too soon can affect both the grip and the paint. If your wall has been painted recently, we recommend letting it fully cure for around six months before applying your Magnetic Playwall. Your walls (and your Playwall's suction) will thank you.
No compatible wall? No problem 💛
Textured walls, brick, wallpaper or a rental you can't test? You don't have to miss out. Ask us about the board-backing option - the Playwall is applied to a smooth, lightweight board that you can lean, prop or mount with removable strips. It means every home gets a play space, no matter the walls.
Just reach out to hi@smartypals.com.au and we'll help you choose what's right for your space.
Installing in minutes
Once you've found your spot, setting up is genuinely quick - no tools, no mess.
Clean & dry your surface
Wipe away dust and let it dry completely.
Peel back the protective layer
Reveal the micro-suction backing — no glue to touch, no backing paper mess.
Position at little-hand height
Line it up where your child can reach comfortably, then press on.
Smooth from the centre outwards
Press firmly across the whole surface to remove any trapped air and lock in the suction. That's it — time to play!
If something's not quite right
It's not sticking well 🤔
Nine times out of ten it's dust, a little moisture, or a backing that needs a refresh. Take the Magnetic Playwall down, wipe the suction backing with plain water (no soap), let it dry fully, make sure your wall is clean and dry, then reapply. If your wall turns out to be textured or freshly painted, switch to the board-backing option.
Removing it cleanly 🧽
On a compatible surface the Playwall lifts away without glue or residue. If it's really gripping, warm it gently with a hair dryer on low heat and peel back slowly from one corner. Take your time and it comes away neatly.
Made to move with you ♻️
The Playwall is reusable — you can reposition it around your home, and it's best moved occasionally rather than daily (think three to four moves). Keep the suction backing clean and dust-free between moves and it'll keep gripping beautifully. Perfect for renters and growing families.
Once it's up, here's the magic ✨
Your Playwall works with our full magnet range — alphabet, numbers, shapes and themed sets — plus magnetic tiles like Connetix®, magnetic ball runs, and our dustless chalk crayons. (Building a ball run? Lay a flat base layer of tiles first for a steady track.) One wall, endless Less Screens, More Play™ afternoons.
Wall compatibility FAQs
Will it damage my walls?
Applied correctly to a compatible, smooth surface, the Playwall removes cleanly with no glue or residue. Because every paint and finish is a little different, we always recommend the quick test first and removing slowly. If you're at all unsure, the board-backing option takes the guesswork away entirely.
How does it actually stick without glue?
It uses micro-suction technology — thousands of tiny suction cups that grip smooth surfaces through gentle air pressure. There's no adhesive, so nothing to leave behind.
Can I use it in a rental?
Yes — that's exactly who it's made for. There's no drilling and no glue. Just check your walls with the 2-minute test, or choose the board-backing option if you'd rather not stick anything to the wall at all.
Does it work on textured or brick walls?
Not directly — micro-suction needs a smooth, sealed surface to grip. For textured, rendered or brick walls, the board-backing option is the perfect workaround.
My walls were painted recently — can I still use it?
Give fresh paint time to fully cure first (around six months). New paint keeps hardening well after it looks dry, and applying too early can affect the grip and the finish.
What if it stops gripping over time?
Usually the backing just needs a refresh. Wipe it with plain water, let it dry completely, and reapply to a clean, dry wall. Keeping it dust-free between moves keeps the suction strong.
Ready to turn a wall into a world of play?
Choose from 8+ calming colours and give your little one a screen-free space they'll return to again and again.
Shop the Magnetic Playwall™ Ask us about your wallA friendly note: because every wall, paint and finish is unique, compatibility can't be guaranteed for every surface, and we recommend testing a small area first and removing slowly. SmartyPals can't accept responsibility for damage to incompatible, textured, freshly painted or poorly adhered surfaces. When in doubt, the board-backing option is a lovely worry-free alternative. Indoor use only. Suitable for ages 3+ with supervision.
