“Childhood memories are sometimes covered and obscured beneath the things that come later, like childhood toys forgotten at the bottom of a crammed adult closet, but they are never lost for good.”- Neil Gaiman

Childhood items can be conduits to play, imagination and discovery. They stitch ideas and feelings into meaning. You may have a specific memory of a toy, book or object that you had as a child. One that propelled you on adventures, or one that you cared for and kept close. You may remember cruising around on your first bike with your Dad or playing with a bucket and a spade on a beach holiday with your siblings. Perhaps it was an old football or doll passed down.

The stark reality is that many toys are destined to end up in landfill. Toy Libraries Australia found that 51 per cent of toys will not survive more than a year before being discarded as trash. For anyone that has seen the Disney film Toy Story and felt the pang as the toys are placed in the box, preparing to be taken ‘elsewhere’, you may be saddened to hear that there are more to go.

Toy Libraries Australia endeavour to extend the lifespan of toys, creating opportunities for more playtime. Buzz Lightyear breathes a deep sigh of relief.

“Toy libraries are a welcoming place for everybody, no matter what your financial situation and they are truly saving families thousands of dollars a year,” said local Toy Libraries Australia Member Development Officer in Victoria, Erin.

Erin estimates that she has saved 20,000 dollars during the eight years she has been a toy library member, borrowing resources for her two children instead of buying. “That is a conservative figure.” The added benefit is that toy libraries bring variety, and within that variety, a plethora of opportunities that one might not expect.  

For instance, toy libraries have massive scope for children with different interests, needs and abilities. Many of the resources have QR codes, which take users to a webpage to learn more about engaging with and using the toy. Learning through play is a philosophy that is exemplified by the access that all families gain.

With an emphasis on enjoyment, children can find their own unique way of playing with the support of toy libraries, and most pertinently, the support of the people who run them.  

During lockdowns, many toy libraries developed a click and collect model which worked well for some, but the takeaway lesson was that the toy library experience means much more than an online exchange. The value families gain from their experience derives from the in-person exchange and the connections that weave through conversation and a sense of place.

The toy library staff, mostly volunteer-led, can assist with toy selection, all while having a chat along the way.

Toy library communities reach out a hand of support and due to the borrow and return system, there is a thread of continuity, as families return to choose something new to take home.

“Toy libraries are a place for people to come to,” said Erin.

“It becomes part of the family routine that they come to the toy library on a weekday morning or a Saturday morning and that is the thing that they do together- so it becomes a real outing with children to come and select toys and be part of that community.”

Moreover, toy libraries can bridge the distances between culture, language and community, reducing isolation and loneliness as online spaces creep up over local social spaces.

Only a few weeks ago, Erin heard chatter between a new member and a volunteer, talking excitedly in a different language, connecting over shared cultural experiences. 

Many toy libraries try to have dual language toys and resources, particularly where larger populations speaking other languages live, providing accessible resources.

“It is certainly growing in those areas and linking in with other services in the community that are offering particular language playgroups and making sure that the toy libraries know what those other services are and can say to a member who identifies that they speak another language, ‘Oh, have you heard about such and such playgroup that is running for this language’ or ‘did you know they do a storytime at the library in another language’ so making those soft connections in the community and it is through having volunteers from multicultural backgrounds that really helps within the toy library setting to identify those families that might need some extra support.”

Much like a playgroup, the gathering space of the toy library invites playful interactions.

While safety is of utmost importance, and information regarding Ages and Stages is readily available, the aim is to allow children and families to choose their own resources. A toddler may be attracted to a particular toy due to the colour and sparkle, then several years later, they may return to it again as an older child, engaging with it in an entirely different way. 

“In many toy libraries, we will give a “minimum” age based on manufacturer safety, but say that those toys have an open age range above that, not ‘these are toys just for babies’ and these are toys just for eight year olds – we try to use inclusive terminology such as beginner skills for toys and if that is meeting your child where they are at in their development, these are the toys that you would help select for them.”

Families are encouraged to talk to the volunteers and staff, embracing the educational opportunities, understanding what toys and going to be appropriate for their kids but also in what ways they can be used to stimulate their development in different ways.

Much like a playgroup space, toy libraries invite children to find a sense of belonging and comfort, while trying out their ever-developing skills. A familiar face may ease them into new social exchanges, or a specific resource may gift them with added confidence.

“The main age guide for toys is the safety aspect but aside from that, it is simply making sure that they are accessible to all children within the toy library - and allowing the children to self-select what meets their interest needs.”

For adults, there is great opportunity to dip a toe into a new space through the toy library service. Parents and carers can find a safe space, they can feel empowered to volunteer or support their child’s development, or perhaps they go onto host a playgroup in the toy library space. 

The borrowing service provides the motivation to come back. If someone is feeling isolated, that return-date deadline can help families to get to the toy library. When they arrive, they are able to chat with other volunteers, who are primarily parents, carers and grandparents.

“They will be able to have that conversation, ‘Are you doing okay? How is sleep going?’. Watching them open up and chat to the people on duty, all the time whilst borrowing toys and kids get the opportunity to interact with other kids and I think that is really beautiful seeing that happen.”

Many toy libraries also offer a subsidy for concession holders, for others, volunteering can help those struggling to gain membership discounts- all while creating further opportunities to personally develop, connecting with local people and services.

“It is stunning for families, how much they can truly save and that’s not to say that families don’t purchase any toys for themselves. Toy libraries are that opportunity to try toys out before you commit to investing in them. Is your kid going to be a scooter kid, or are they more of a balance bike kid? So you borrow to try them before you go and invest money into specific toys.”

Some people may worry about secondhand toys and their condition, yet the toys sourced for the libraries are of a high quality, checked thoroughly before being added to the collection. If one is to think about the lifespan of toys, there is a fast turnover as children outgrow many. More often than not, there is no need to re-purchase. Another enlightening insight from Erin’s experience comes in the form of cheap and inexpensive toys. Many think that because of the low cost, it is of little consequence if the toy does break or become damaged. However, the broken toy must end up somewhere, and that is often in the bin.

The aim for toy libraries is to extend the time that children can use the item.

Many toy libraries collaborate with playgroups and playgroups are encouraged to reach out and connect with their local toy library, which they can locate on their Find a Toy Library search engine.

“It is bringing them into that toy library space to connect with each other and share ideas and stories about their parenthood journey, wherever they may be, whether they are parents or carers or grandparents, or people who work with children in the community,” said Erin.

Often, change can be challenging, particularly during early parenthood, but when action is taken, people reap great rewards from upskilling or taking part in a community service. Studies show that volunteering can make people happier. Indeed, it can bring added purpose and appreciation. Erin talks proudly about the power of becoming a committee member for toy libraries.

“Once they become part of the toy library community, there is the opportunity to volunteer, and so many of my committee members over the years have come and said, ‘I need something adult to do with my brain’ and they have joined the committee and we’ve seen them blossom and flourish. I know people who have gone on to start their own business, and people who have changed career direction because of the confidence they gained from joining a toy library committee.”

Like playgroups, toy libraries are rooted in shared experiences. Human relationships are at the heart of these community initiatives and everyone is working with the same cause- to support children, families and the wider community.

Early memories as children become important to us, as we store parts of the feeling within us: be it comfort, reassurance, fun, or reckless abandon, elated to be in a moment of play.

Later down the track, these childhood memories we come to cherish, especially when we see more little feet imprinting the pathways of life that we once learnt to walk down. We come to realise that the world is much bigger than we once thought, and so we nurture the smaller parts where we can. It is in the smaller moments that meaning, joy and love is kept.    

Find a Local Toy Library HERE
Connect with Toy Libraries Australia HERE

Article by Sinead Halliday

“To this day, I have the most fond memories of some of my old toys.”- Michael Keaton