As the the global recession continues to take a toll on many family budgets, an increasing number of parents are looking to save money on excess expenses, such as toys. Until today, I had never heard of a toy library before, and I’m amazed by this fabulous and simple idea.
Just like traditional libraries, toy libraries lend items to members for a fixed amount of time. It’s not just a fun way to try out a toy, but it also helps parents and children learn to play together. Toy libraries are also provide valuable resources to children with special needs and disabilities, whose toys can be especially expensive but infinitely important in the development process of the child. Home school teachers also use toy libraries to access educational toys that are often found in a traditional classroom.
Toy libraries are popular in the United Kingdom and Australia, but are not often found in the United States and Canada. There is a US Toy Library Association, which offers a variety of resources, including a list of all toy library locations in the United States. If you’re interested in trying out a toy library in your home town, visit the link to learn more about the services the library provide and all membership fees.
If you don’t have a toy library in your town, talk to other parents in the community and see if you can’t set up an informal one through a playgroup, church or community center.
