DDWA would like to share with our members the story of Toy Libraries Australia; to grow knowledge of Toy Libraries so that you know the very useful benefits that they offer to families.
Toy Libraries Australia
Amongst the collections of toys, puzzles, games, dress ups, educational resources and equipment you might be surprised to learn that your local toy library can offer more than just a toy lending service. Within these library walls, via their online communities and in person events, you can find a place and people to build connections and find support.
Did you know that toy libraries in Australia were originally opened to support families and children with additional needs? Founded by Annetine Forrell and Mary Glue, Noah’s Ark Toy Library for Handicapped Children opened in November 1971 in Melbourne. It was a non-commercial, voluntary venture sustained as a community service by an enthusiastic group including professional people, parents, and other interested people.
Toy libraries have been providing support to children, young people and their families by creating access to high quality toys that promote learning through play and through providing opportunities to engage in ‘real world’ experiences and learning. Toy libraries are treasure troves filled with carefully curated collections of toys. While each toy library catalogue varies, they all generally have toys and resources that support early play, fine and gross motor development, resources that promote language and social skills as well as toys that children (and families) simply just enjoy for fun. Some toy libraries have more specific and unique collections that include toys adapted for children with additional needs or resources used to support different therapy services. The best way to find out what your local toy library can offer is to get in touch with them.
To locate your nearest library, go to the ‘Find a Toy Library’ link on the Toy Libraries Australia website.
Toy libraries are usually run by volunteers, and this model is one way they provide real-world experiences and learning for children and adults. An example of this can be found in the Wheatbelt. At Northam Toy Library, the library supports children, with additional needs, from their local school through a volunteering program. Students from the school and their Education Assistants regularly open and operate the toy library for the community. This provides a wonderful opportunity for the students to build confidence in a social setting and learn lifelong skills through hands-on experiences.
You can read more about how this initiative was a catalyst for Toy Libraries Australia to secure funding through Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC)
to implement a volunteering project that will give people with disabilities and migrant women experiencing isolation access to meaningful work experience in 20 pilot site toy libraries across Australia in this article.
In February 2024, the Australian Government announced additional funding to help toy libraries to develop resources and purchase resources and toys for families and children with additional support needs, including Autism and ADHD.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said “At the heart of this is Australia’s children. We want them to thrive, to love to learn, and to help parents and carers have time to connect with the community.” 23 toy libraries in Western Australia were successful in receiving a grant to make a targeted improvement in toys, resources, or other aspects of the toy library environment to improve support to children with additional needs including:
These libraries are expected to implement their projects in the coming months.
- Bayswater Toy Library
- Bunbury Regional Toy Library
- Carlisle/Victoria Park Toy Library
- Cockburn Toy Library
- Cranbrook/Frankland River Toy Library
- Dalwallinu Toy Library
- Exmouth Toy Library
- Floret Toy Library
- Geraldton Toy Library
- Goldfields Toy Library
- Kalamunda Toy Library
- Leederville Toy Library
- Manning Toy Library
- North Beach Toy Library
- Paraburdoo Toy Library
- Rainbow Coast Toy Library (Albany)
- Scarborough Toy Library
- Shenton Park Toy Library
- South Perth Toy Library
- Tuart Forest (Bunbury)
- Wagin Toy Library
- Whitfords Rainbow Toy Library
- Yokine Toy Library
To get in touch with Toy Libraries Australia please email info@toylibraries.org.au or check out their website.
