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 (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) (Highly recommend) 5.00 (Highly recommend) from 12 votes (100 Visits)

TOY LIBRARY

ajv00 by ajv00 Talking Back(May 2008) (rank 61st)

 I was watching my son play the other day and he, quickly moved from one toy to the other. I realised that he must have been getting quite bored with the toys he had. Now I don’t have a lot of money to spend on buying toys and I

’m sure a lot of other families don’t. It got me thinking about how I can get some toys with out spending a lot of money, I remembered when my niece and nephew were born, and my sister had mentioned something about getting toys from a library. So on to google I went and found the best thing since sliced bread LOL a toy library.

There are many toy libraries all over the country and I’m sure in other countries too. I found one that suited me (opening times and days) I found one that was opened on a Saturday morning. So I went to check it out and this is what I found out:

That toy libraries are not for profit organizations, they rely on your contributions. You have to be a member of the toy library and pay a small fee witch helps the libraries to continue to buy new toys etc.

All the staff are volunteers.

Toy libraries promote the importance of learning through play.

Your membership is usually for one year and you can borrow anywhere between 3 to 6 toys depending on how much your membership cost. We decided to pay the higher membership and get 6 toys.

The toys range from outdoor toys to indoor toys. Cars, trucks, lawn mowers, balls, dolls, puzzles, water toys and lots more…

The toys that you borrow are usually borrowed out for 3 weeks b4 having to return them.

Each toy comes in a bag if small enough and the bag is labelled with what is inside the bag so no piece should get lost. All toys are labelled with a number, this number is used for bowering the toys.

All toys are cleaned and checked over for any damaged upon return.

I love going to the toy library it gives my son a chance to grow, play and learn without getting to bored with the toys that he already has. He loves going and playing with the toys and seeing what he can get.

 

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bronybabes
December 31st | bronybabes
Re: TOY LIBRARY

It's a great idea. Kids need lots of learning stimulation and a lot of that comes through play. unfortunateley we dont all have the money to be able to provide our kids with a large variety of toys.

Day cares are great for providing extra stimulation for only children but they can be expensive.

For people who dont have a toy library in their area; Putting toys away and swapping them adds intrest to your child as they forget about the toys they had. Items around the house are just as imprtant for children as they learn by imitating so pots and pans with spoons and plastic kitchen containers are great even a bottle with rice in it is a fantastic shaker. Just think what would be safe for a baby to play with but still interesting, colours, shapes, sounds and textures are all key to success children dont need the most expensive toys to entertain, satisfy or educate them.

-B-



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pigz
October 14th | pigz
Re: TOY LIBRARY

I love my local toy library.  We have a group of regulars who meet there once a week for a gossip whilst our little ones play.

Also a great help when choosing christmas/birthday presents for your child!



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Kellzacar
June 2008 | Kellzacar
Re: TOY LIBRARY

Hi Matey,

I am a big fan of toy libraries. . . They are great, sadly though they are getting less and less because they are not popular as too many parents fear germs etc. . .  I for one USE THEM and I also clean them and return any toys in great condition. Toy Libraries save you heaps of money in the long term . .

Thanks for a great article . .

Cheers Kellz



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      ajv00
June 2008 | ajv00
Re: TOY LIBRARY

Thanks Kel,

The Library that I go to is pretty good about cleaning the toys.  Besides usually kids and/or babies will put anything in their mouths.

Toy libraries are fantastic for saving money!



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ajv00
May 2008 | ajv00
Re: TOY LIBRARY

Thanks Dee,

There should be a toy library near you, i hope there is.  It is such a great way to save some money! just look up toy libraries victoria on the net.



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boredmum
May 2008 | boredmum
Re: TOY LIBRARY

Great advice Angie. Will check to see if we have one here. Awesome idea!

Dee

xx



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Libby24
May 2008 | Libby24
Re: TOY LIBRARY

these are great. we have one tuesday morning at our library. i personally havent used one for hte fact i am lazy and always forgot.

lovely article



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      ajv00
May 2008 | ajv00
Re: TOY LIBRARY

Thank you

I would highly reccommend that you try and not forget to go to your toy library.  It is fantastic and they have all sorts of toys.

I must admit it took us a while b4 we went, I just had to find the right one that fitted in with us.



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fairymama25
May 2008 | fairymama25
Re: TOY LIBRARY

Great advice, Im lucky to have several toy libraries near us and its great, cos as you said they get bored with toys so quickly, its also a good way of testing toys out before deciding if its worth buying one! Em x



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      ajv00
May 2008 | ajv00
Re: TOY LIBRARY

Thanks Em,

They do get bored my boy started playing with not toys but stuff around the house like cardbord boxes.  LOL



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cazza
May 2008 | cazza
Re: TOY LIBRARY

Great advice and playgroup associations run toy librarys as well down here in tassie and often will drive around in their vans to the community centres and let u borrow toys if you are a member of playgroup..

xx cazza



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      ajv00
May 2008 | ajv00
Re: TOY LIBRARY

Thanks Cazza,

It is a good way to save on money and I forgot to add that my local health centre also has a toy library.



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