We share our toys - will you share yours?

Does your toddler group have cupboards full of toys and games? Are they unused between sessions? Could some of them be borrowed to be played with and brought back the following week…or used by another toddler group? Could you become a Toy Library?

Toy Libraries are a wonderful way of providing children with the opportunity to play with toys and equipment that they might otherwise not be able to afford or have the storage space for. They range from big, busy organisations who lend equipment to early years settings across a county to small local groups that supply just a few children and their families.

Mark Sainsbury from Play Matters explains his role in setting up and supporting toy libraries, whatever their form.

'Play Matters is the Welsh section of the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries (NATLL). They have active members across the UK, who are great at sharing stuff! Whilst we do not run toy libraries ourselves, Play Matters has been helping groups start and run them over many years, and can assist with any issues that crop up.

'"Do you need to insure your toys?" "How do you afford then in the first place?" "What play equipment is best for your group?" "What happens if a toy gets broken whilst being played with?" "How can we use that toys we already have more effectively, and are there other groups we could work with to pool our resources?" All these questions and many more have been asked in the past.'

So, why should you set up a toy library?

'Put simply, it's about getting the best value out of the toys and play resources you have to improve the number and quality of play opportunities for your children.

'But there are other, perhaps more unexpected, benefits. By sharing you are encouraging a positive attitude in the children, not to mention the parents and carers. And most toy libraries tell us that what they do is far more important than just lend toys; they offer support and information, help adults remember how to play and encourage the children to play as freely as possible.'

So, why might you want to share toys with other groups?

'By pooling your resources you can access a wider range of toys and play stuff! You will be able to get hold of new and un-tried toys and games. You can, perhaps, plan to buy more expensive toys because you will be able to share the cost. You'll also be sharing the task of looking after all those toys and making sure they're kept in good condition.'

How do I find out more?

'If your group is thinking about joining an existing toy library, or setting one up, or forming a network to share resources then NATLL has all the information you will need.'

Last Updated 06 December 2010