Our Story
Kool & Child began in 1994 when two early-childhood teachers—Jane Reynolds and Mark Child—couldn't find classroom-quality toys for their own kids. What started as a garage pop-up quickly became the Island's go-to store for meaningful playthings.
Thirty-one years later we're still independent, still family-run and still obsessed with quality over quantity. Our catalogue features just 3,200 carefully evaluated items (the big boxes carry 50,000+). If it doesn't inspire creativity or critical thinking, it doesn't make the shelf.
Our Mission
To nurture every child's natural curiosity through open-ended play—because the right toy at the right moment can change how a child sees the world.
Our Values
- Play First: Fun precedes learning; we pick toys that disguise education as adventure.
- Sustainability: 60% of our inventory is made from renewable or recycled materials.
- Community: 1% of all sales support literacy programs at Nanaimo elementary schools.
Awards & Recognition
- Readers' Choice "Best Toy Store" – Nanaimo News Bulletin (2018-2024)
- Top 50 Small Businesses in BC – BC Chamber of Commerce (2022)
- "Eco-Star" Environmental Achievement – Vancouver Island Eco-Initiative (2023)