Imagine walking into your classroom with a fresh set of educational toys that inspire children’s curiosity and enhance their learning—all without breaking the bank. What if you could do this regularly, all while promoting sustainability and fostering a sense of responsibility in your children? As educators, we know that novelty keeps young learners engaged, and finding cost-effective ways to refresh our teaching resources is a challenge. Let me introduce toy libraries—a resourceful, sustainable solution for early childhood educators and teachers.
What Are Toy Libraries?
Toy libraries operate much like traditional libraries, but instead of books, they offer a wide range of toys that support different developmental stages and children’s interests. Educators and families can borrow toys for a set period and exchange them regularly, introducing fresh materials into the classroom with ease. With everything from puzzles and construction sets to musical instruments, dress ups and sensory toys, toy libraries provide a continuous flow of engaging resources without the expense of purchasing new toys.
Why Toy Libraries Are Perfect for Educators
They are cost – effective. Toy libraries allow you to access a vast range of toys for a small annual fee, making them a budget-friendly option for educators. Instead of investing in expensive, high-quality toys that may only be used for a short time, you can borrow them when needed and return them when it’s time for something new.
They add novelty to your classroom. Children thrive on variety and new experiences. Regularly swapping out toys through a toy library keeps your classroom fresh and exciting, helping to sustain engagement in learning activities. Novelty in the classroom can spark new interests and encourage creativity.
Toy libraries promote the concept of sharing and reusing, which not only helps reduce waste but also provides a meaningful way to teach children about sustainability and resourcefulness. By borrowing rather than buying, you are contributing to a greener future. Win win!
Toy libraries typically offer a well-curated selection of toys that are both fun and educational, supporting a range of learning areas such as fine motor skills, problem-solving, social-emotional development, and creativity. Whether you’re focusing on STEM activities, sensory play, or role-play, there’s something for every educator’s needs.
Many toy libraries offer toys that reflect diverse cultures, languages, and abilities, ensuring that all children see themselves and their experiences represented in play. Access to inclusive resources supports your efforts in creating a learning environment where all children feel welcome and valued.
How Educators Can Use Toy Libraries
I used toy library for anything that I did not find in our storage room. For example, big books, unique dress ups, expansive musical intruments, cognitive games, maths blocks etc. Planning a unit on nature, transport, or community? Borrow thematic toys like costumes, role-play sets, or STEM kits to support your program. After inquiry project or play session is complete, you can simply return the toys and select new ones for the next inquiry or play provocation.
Keep your classroom’s learning stations dynamic by rotating toys regularly. Puzzles, construction sets, and sensory materials can be borrowed, helping to maintain interest and offer variety without extra costs.
Hosting a classroom event? Many toy libraries offer party sets with games and activities, saving you time and money while still creating a fun and engaging environment for children.
Here is what our local library offers
- Jumping Castle
- Playground Pack
- Carnival Pack
- Olympics Pack
- Chairs & Tables
Research Supporting Toy Libraries
Toy libraries are not just a fun way to bring novelty to the classroom; they are supported by research that highlights the benefits of play and access to varied toys for children’s development:
- Jones, P., & Leaper, L. (2003).
“The role of toy libraries in play and early childhood development.”
Play & Culture Studies, 5(1), 147-160.
This study examines the cognitive and social benefits of access to a wide variety of toys in early childhood settings, focusing on how toy libraries support diverse play experiences. - Rodgers, S. (2018).
“Toy libraries: Supporting sustainable play.”
Early Childhood Folio, 22(2), 21-25.
This article focuses on the sustainability aspect of toy libraries, discussing how they reduce waste and promote sharing, which are essential principles for educators to pass on to young children.
These studies demonstrate how toy libraries foster critical areas of development, from physical activity to problem-solving skills, making them an invaluable resource for educators.
Joining a Toy Library: What to Expect
Toy libraries operate on a membership basis, where for a small fee, educators can borrow toys for periods ranging from two to four weeks. Membership fees are significantly lower than the cost of purchasing new toys, with discounts often available for educators or schools. You can also find toy libraries that offer professional development opportunities, guiding educators on how to integrate toys into their teaching practices effectively.
Here are some useful links to Australian toy libraries:
- Toy Libraries Australia: https://toylibraries.org.au/
- Kingston Toy Library (Victoria): https://kingstontoylibrary.com.au/
- Western Australian Association of Toy Libraries (WAATL): https://www.waatl.org.au/
- Frankston Toy Library https://www.facebook.com/frankstontoylibrary/
Tell me in the comments in you are using the toy library!
