Library of toys relief for parent's play budget

PLAY: Jacob Noud, 4, tries out one of the many toys available at the toy library. PHOTO: KARLA KARAITIANA

What if there was a place you could take your children to play, relax and then pick toys to take home?

Palmerston North has a place where you can do just that.

The Manawatu Toy Library is a non-profit organisation which lends toys, games and other play equipment to families and community groups, for an affordable subscription fee.

They have a large selection of toys to suit a wide range of ages and abilities, and ensure that all their resources are durable and educational.

"The toy library is an enriching experience for the child," Toy library volunteer Emma Ochei says. "It allows them to use a great community resource, they learn to share, they learn to recycle and all the resources help their development."

Toys and equipment are primarily for children aged from birth to eight, however many teenagers and adults with learning difficulties also use the service. It has also become popular for home-schooled children who benefit from the range of toys and puzzles, but most importantly, it is helping families with the cost of living.

"Children don't need everything to be shiny and new," Ms Ochei says. "But we know that play is a child's work, play equals learning. For the cost of one toy you can get a years' worth of variety for the whole family."

Anna Noud has been coming to the toy library for more than three years and has now become a volunteer. She says the biggest benefit to her family is the range of toys.

"The huge selection is amazing. You could never afford the amount of toys that they have here to choose from."

Fellow library user Sharon Pack was referred to the library through her sister-in-law and has never looked back.

"I avoid toy shopping altogether now. We come every three weeks so, the kids feel as though they are constantly getting something new." Trying out the toys before she buys them was another appealing aspect.

"We got a scooter out so we could see if she would like it before we went and invested the real thing. It was great."

Manawatu Toy library is on the corner of Church and Cook Streets and is open Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm during the school term. More information at manawatutoylibrary.nz.