Question 1

What is a toy library?

Accepted Answer

A toy library is an organisation that loans a vast array of well-made toys, games and puzzles that have been designed to support young children's development and imagination. Toy libraries aim to support families and encourage togetherness with quality time spent playing with children.
 
Members visit the library during open sessions, have their previously loaned toys checked and returned, before selecting new items to borrow and return home with. 
 
As a not-for-profit organisation with no ongoing funding, we charge a range of low membership fees to cover our wage and administration charges. We use grants and donations to purchase new toys (and add hundreds to our collection each year!).

Question 2

How old do my kids need to be to benefit from a toy library?

Accepted Answer

We have toys and games to suit kids big and small of all ages! The majority of our toys cater for children aged 6 months to 7 years but we also have plenty of options for younger babies (reaching, grasping, tracking, tummytime toys) and older kids and teens, particularly in our board game section. 
 
Joining a toy library when your child is less than a year old is a particularly good idea because you are setting your family up to borrow, not buy, right from the beginning of your journey, as well as showing others around you that there's no need for them to spend money buying toys for your child. If you want a toy you can simply borrow it from us and then return it when you're done, rather than have it lay about on your floor or in your cupboard for the next few years.
 
For birthdays or Christmas, how about suggesting family and friends spend their money on an experience (zoo membership, Puffing Billy trip, theatre, swimming lessons) or even a toy library membership rather than buy your child toys that will quickly become unnoticed?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a toy library?

How old do my kids need to be to benefit from a toy library?