Hobart families can now access more than 400 toys for the price of buying just one or two, with the city’s first toy library opening its doors next Monday.
The library launched at South Hobart Community Centre offering an affordable and sustainable alternative to buying toys that often end up as waste within a year.
“Children learn through play,” toy library president Emma Green said.
“They build social skills, develop physical coordination, explore numeracy and problem-solving, and grow in confidence.”
“By sharing toys, we’re making play more accessible and affordable, while reducing waste and clutter at home.”
Research provided by the toy library, shows Australia imports 221 million toys annually, with 51% becoming waste within 12 months.
Free tickets to Saturday’s open day sold out within 48 hours of opening.
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the city was proud to support the initiative through its community grants scheme.
“This fantastic initiative will open up an entire world of play, curiosity, physical and intellectual development for so many young ones in Hobart,” she said.
“It will take the pressure of buying toys off those families struggling to make ends meet.”
The library’s toy collection is already valued at more than $20,000, thanks to support from local organisations including the City of Hobart, GHD and Derwent Valley Medical Centre.
“This support, coupled with countless volunteer hours squeezed into naptimes, lunchbreaks and late nights, means we can keep memberships accessible,” Green said.
The library will operate Mondays 9am-11am and Fridays 3.30pm-5.30pm, with plans to expand as volunteers and toys grow.
Families can borrow toys for up to three weeks, with memberships open to everyone despite toys typically targeting ages 0-8.
