Experiences with a TOY library?

[andrews_dad]

A new local business is opening called a TOY library. For $30 per quarter or $99 per year, your 6 month to 6 year old can come to the library to check out toys. Just like library books, there is a due date back on them. They have open floor space to let the kids play on all of the toys. Saw a news report on it, but have not seen one in person. The news report implied that many stay at home Moms use the toy library as a quasi daycare area to let their kids interact with other kids. Other folks just use it as a quick toy exchange to keep the kids interested in new toys without buying them all. Anyone ever done a toy library?

 

[tzolkin]

Not a business, but I worked for a non-profit org and set up the toy library.

It was similar to what you describe except it was intended for families in the Starting Together and Early Head Start programs and was free. Parents could come in and check out toys/books at any time or their Family Support Worker would bring toys to their home during their weekly visits and exchange them. The play room was not available during all hours, but we offered playgroup times with activities for the parents and babies. They could take home toys/books their child(ren) enjoyed. There were no due dates, so they could keep a toy as long as their child wanted to use it and return it when they lost interest.

I think it's a good idea. You never know what toy a small child is actually going to play with and it seems like a waste to purchase toys that wind up never being used.