Toy libraries offer families huge savings

6 August 2007

Toy Library Awareness Week 6-12 August 2007

Toy libraries offer families huge savings

Buying toys for kids is expensive and there’s nothing more frustrating, and costly, for parents than to see a pile high of unused and unwanted toys…and further cries for something new.

Today marks the beginning of Toy Library Awareness week which encourages parents of young children across New Zealand to join up to their local toy library where they can borrow a wide range of toys for just a fraction of the cost of buying them new.

Playing is vital for children to learn, and a child’s play needs will constantly change as they develop and grow. While most parents are aware of the importance of play, they’re also aware of the economic boundaries they’re willing, and able, to go to when buying new toys. Toy libraries offer families the chance to try out age-appropriate toys to match their child’s interests and needs with a wide selection of new or near-new toys ranging from games, puzzles, dress-ups, puppets, ride-ons, musical toys, dolls houses, slides, bikes, farmyards, dinosaurs, baby activity gyms, etc.

Media personality and mum of three, Mary Lambie, who joined her local toy library soon after the birth of her first child five years ago, says it is a fantastic resource and money saver. She has since become the official Patron of the Toy Library Federation of NZ.

“My kids enjoy endless hours of fun playing with toys from our Toy Library, so much so it’s become a weekly ritual selecting new toys for the week,” Mary said. “The best advantage belonging to a toy library is the money you save in not having to fork out and buy expensive toys, especially as kids are notorious for being all enthused about a particular toy, and a week down the track they hardly notice it.”

There are now 217 toy libraries operating around New Zealand reaching more than 23,000 children. Most cater for children aged 0-5 years, however some provide toys for slightly older children. Toy libraries are non-profit organisations run independently by volunteers and can often be found housed in cupboards, community centres, Plunket rooms and local halls. Most toy libraries belong to the Toy Library Federation of New Zealand (TLFNZ), which is a member of the International Toy Library Association.

This week (6-12 August) is Toy Library Awareness Week. Toy Library encourages every family with young children to find the local toy library in their area and join. Annual membership costs average between $40 to $160 per year.

ENDS

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