Help - Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately we cannot ship to PO Boxes, as we require signing for deliveries to provide assurance of the delivery service.

Delivery Locations. We ship to locations anywhere within Australia and New Zealand.
We are not able to ship to PO Boxes as we require all deliveries to be signed for.

Standard Metropolitan Delivery in Australia Delivery is charged as follows:
A rate of$9.95 including GST, for orders below $80 AUD
Free shipping for orders equal to, or above $80 AUD

We use Sendle and TransDirect to deliver to any location within Australia.

Standard Delivery to New Zealand Delivery is from Melbourne, and reflects our costs using Sendle. These are:
A rate of$14.95 including GST, for up to 250g per order
A rate of$16.95 including GST, for between 250g and 500g per order
A rate of$19.95 including GST, for between 501g and 1kg per order
A rate of$22.95 including GST, for between 1.01kg and 1.5kg per order
A rate of$24.95 including GST, for between 1.51kg and 2kg per order
A rate of$29.95 including GST, for between 2.01kg and 3kg per order
A rate of$36.95 including GST, for between 3.01kg and 4kg per order

Orders are processed during normal business hours Monday to Friday in Melbourne. Our delivery turnaround time generally includes 2 business daysfrom the date the order is processed, depending on your location (Perth may take up to 6 days, depending on the items ordered).

Yes, but only if you are based in Melbourne, Victoria.

You can pick up your order free of charge from our storage warehouse at:

Kennards Storage, 324-328 Hoddle St, ABBOTSFORD VIC 3067

Entrance via: Abbot Grove

Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm

As we keep stock on site, orders can be collected the next business day at the earliest. 
Orders are processed Monday to Friday business hours.

Before picking up your order, you will receive an email notification that your order has been processed, and is ready for pickup.

 

To arrange a warehouse pickup, you need to do the following steps

1. Add your items to the cart, go to the Cartpage and then press Checkout
2. You can now choose betweenShip andPick up in theDelivery method section of your checkout.
3. When you selectPick up, you can choose the Abbotsford warehouse location

We ship to New Zealand addresses.

Delivery is from Melbourne, and reflects our costs using Sendle. These are:
A rate of$14.95 including GST, for up to 250g per order
A rate of$16.95 including GST, for between 250g and 500g per order
A rate of$19.95 including GST, for between 501g and 1kg per order
A rate of$22.95 including GST, for between 1.01kg and 1.5kg per order
A rate of$24.95 including GST, for between 1.51kg and 2kg per order
A rate of$29.95 including GST, for between 2.01kg and 3kg per order
A rate of$36.95 including GST, for between 3.01kg and 4kg per order

For a list of other authorised LaQ distributors in other countries - see http://www.laq.co.jp/en/distributor/

You can check out the status of the order at the Account page of this site.

We'll also send you an email prior to your order being shipped

We use Sendle and TransDirect for deliveries, and will provide a tracking number when we notify you that your order has been shipped

We use Australia Post and Sendle for deliveries, and will provide a tracking number when we notify you that your order has been shipped. The tracking number will allow you to follow up with Australia Post and Sendle

We accept Mastercard and Visa credit cards, which allows your order to be processed and shipped as quickly as possible.

We also accept AfterPay and accelerated checkout mechanisms such as Google Pay, Apple Pay and Pay Pal

Yes, we support Afterpay as a payment method

If a product is not currently available in Australia - it may be due to it being Sold Out, or being a newly released product. You can register your interest to be notified when the product is back in stock. You will automatically be notified on the registered email address you provide

You can check out the status of the order at the Account page of this site.

We'll also send you an email prior to your order being shipped

Please contact us at info@smartypantstoys.com.au if you wish to cancel or modify an order. We will happily cancel your order before it has been dispatched, but we are unable to cancel orders that have already been shipped.

Just contact us at info@smartypantstoys.com.au

We are more than happy to accept return of the goods within 30 days of your purchase. We simply ask that the item be unused, in its original packaging and that you provide proof of purchase.

More details are in the Returns Policy page located here

Just contact us at info@smartypantstoys.com.au

We are more than happy to accept return of the goods within 30 days of your purchase. We simply ask that the item be unused, in its original packaging and that you provide proof of purchase.

More details are in the Returns Policy page located here

LaQ is invented and made in Japan and is 2^nd biggest construction toy brand in Japan. It has been around for more than 25 years and distributed in 27 countries. Find out more here

LaQ is very different to Lego. The only similarities is that they are both plastic and construction toys. LaQ has the following unique differences:

1. LaQ has ONLY 7 types of block parts - All of the models made are from these 7 different types of block parts. 2 base and 5 connectors.
2. Snap, Click and Play  - The parts make a Snap and Click sound which makes it more fun and is a similar sensation to popping bubble wrap.  We find kids enjoy the Snap and Click feel, leading to longer play and concentration
3. If you lose 1 piece, it doesn’t matter, you can always find another part easily
4. Compact size and packaging. LaQ is great as a travel toy due to its size and low number of part types
   

Apart from the7 types of block parts, there are specialHamacron wheels and shafts that enable rotational movement. There are now 3 different size wheels, and with matching shafts. Many of the LaQ products come with the Hamacron parts.

There is also a headband part, which is only available in the Sweet Collection Dreams set

LaQ is appropriate for Ages 4 and up. We currently supply LaQ directly to Kindergartens in Australia and it is widely used in childcare centres in Japan, hence LaQ is the 2^nd biggest construction toy brand in Japan.

LaQ is also available through MTA (Modern Teaching Aids) , which is a major distributor to kindergartens, education centres and schools around Australia and NZ. The large education kits are available here

The small parts are great for young kids to develop and strengthen their fine motor skills and concentration and provides the detail for a realistic looking model, eg. Butterfly, Flower, etc.

Every LaQ product comes with at least

• A number of block parts - with different quantities of the 7 part types, in different colours. The quantities and colours will be marked on the package itself. An example is below:
  
• A printed instruction guide/booklet which provides step by step instructions for all the models indicated on the packaging. The number of models will be shown on the package
  

Some products will also include

• A storage case - these are often included in the larger sized boxes
• Special parts such as the Hamacron wheel parts/shafts - these will be indicated on the packaging itself
  

Every LaQ product comes with a printed instruction guide/booklet which provides step by step instructions for all the models indicated on the packaging. The number of models will be shown on the package.

All of the small, medium and large kits will provide instructions for multiple models. The instructions will indicate how many parts are required to make each model.

The instructions are just the starting point for building, as you can easily substitute different parts and colours if required.

LaQ is available in many stockists around Australia - you can find them here. 

If LaQ is not available in your local toy store, we'd recommend to request for your store to range LaQ

If you are an educator / education centre, please contact MTA (Modern Teaching Aid) for your LaQ needs.

This depends on the number of the parts. Most of the time, you can make one model at a time depending on how big the model is.

On the packaging, it indicates the number of pieces required to make various models, and typically this means usually one big model or two smaller ones depending on the part numbers.

A typical product has an instruction booklet that has step-by-step high quality colour diagrams to make multiple models. There may also be simple 2D model templates that are for younger kids. As LaQ is available in over 27 countries, the instructions are also in English. The most complex model is typically the first instruction in the guide. As there are often a range of models, the complexity will vary and some will be easier than others.

Each instruction for a model starts with a parts listing, which list the quantities of each part type, and also the colour of each part.

Before commencing building a model according to the instructions, we would recommend that you find ALL of the part types/colours and assemble these together in piles, as this will enable the building process to be uninterrupted by having to search for a specific colour/part type.

We provide a mailing list, where new instructions for models are sent on a regular basis. We also provide inspiration for LaQ models from around the world on our Instagram page @laqaustralia

The act of connecting and disconnecting the LaQ parts can be mastered by 4 year olds, as this is only dependent upon their fine motor control. LaQ however is also excellent for the development of these fine motor skills and dexterity so some 3 years could also be comfortable with playing with LaQ.

Given that LaQ is a different way of building, we initially suggest a limited amount of adult guidance and supervision to younger kids. However, kids will rapidly develop skills and want to experiment on their own.

The age rating on the LaQ products is dependent upon the complexity of the models and instructions. Making simple 2D and simple 3D models, requires the ability to follow instructions and use some spatial ability. Some of the more complex models such as the largest dinosaurs in the Dino Kingdom are of higher complexity

• The Basic 101 kit is the simplest set to start with, as it only has 2D models to make, and is rated as Age 4+.
  
• Many sets are rated as age 5+
• There are some kits which are rated 7+ (Ages 7 to Adults) which are a bit more challenging for older kids and adults to enjoy
  

For news and events in Australia, we provide a mailing list which provide the following updates

• Regular release of new instructions for models
• New product announcements, or items back in stock
• Giveaways, competitions and promotions
• Upcoming LaQ experiences, play events and popups

Our Instagram channel @laqaustralia also provides regular ideas, inspirations and stories of LaQ from Australia, and around the world