6 August 2007
Toy Library Awareness Week 6-12 August 2007
Toy libraries offer families huge savings
Mary Lambie with her three children, twins Elizabeth and Jack (3), and Grace (5).
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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