Toys galore to loan at Katikati’s toy library
Katikati Toy Library is looking for new members, with its committee believing many young families new to parenthood and/or new to the district may not know about the facility and how it lends toys.
Officially formed in October 1995, the Katikati Toy Library is open to members on Tuesdays 7pm-8pm and Wednesdays 2.30pm-4pm at the back of the Christian Centre on Henry Rd, Katikati.
Toy Libraries operate like a book library. Toys are taken home to be played with, then returned; usually within a two-week borrowing period.
Katikati Toy Librarian Sandy Goode says toy libraries expose children to a variety of toys without being too expensive for families.
“They also allow parents and children the opportunity to experiment with different sorts of toys before making a purchase. It means children will never get bored with their toys as they can easily change them and get something new.”
Katikati Toy Library has hundreds of toys for families to borrow – suitable for newborns right up to age 10, but with a focus on preschoolers. There are no toyhire fees or members’ duties to perform. Instead, families pay an annual library membership – then you can loan toys year-round.
Memberships cost $65 for 12 months, $40 for six months – and grandparents pay a modest $30 for a 12-month membership. There is also the option of paying $10 per month for a membership.
Sandy has noticed the library’s toys aimed at younger children – from newborn through to about age two – are sitting on shelves, and not being loaned.
“We think many families with young children don’t know about the toy library, so we are trying to get the word out there that we do exist, and we really want these families to join us.
“This library is a valuable resource for our community, so we need people to use it – otherwise they may lose it.”
Sandy says the toy library also has a range of baby-related items that parents can loan so they do not need to buy them only to get use for a brief time. “We have a Bumbo seat people can loan, a portacot, and also a range of bouncers and other ‘go-to’ baby toys.”
There are toys galore for older children up to age 10 – including games, puzzles, DVDs, dress-up costumes, outdoor toys, water toys, wheeled toys, and a range of indoor toys.
The library also has a party pack with a roller coaster toy – ideal for keeping youngsters entertained and busy at birthday parties or family events.
The toy library committee has new members, which has created a new drive to get the community back using the precious facility.
“We really want to get as many families as possible using this toy library,” says new committee member Toni Connelly. “We have a range of exciting new things in the works for 2022.
“First, we recently received grants from The Lion Foundation and The Lotteries Grants Board which has allowed us to purchase 45 new toys for the library. These new toys will be on the shelves – ready to loan – when we reopen for 2022 on Tuesday, 25th January, at 7pm,” says Toni.
“So please follow our Facebook page as
we introduce our new toys in the New Year.”
Fellow committee member Merle Cave says there are so many advantages to using a toy library.
“First, as a parent, you can save a heap of money borrowing toys instead of buying them. You discover toys you didn’t know existed, and if you’re into sustainability, borrowing toys instead of buying them saves plastic from going to landfill.”
Visiting the toy library also offers an interesting social outing for youngsters and having a rotation of different toys at home can help children learn a range of cognitive and physical development skills.
“Also, borrowing toys allows you to really
find out what your child is interested in before investing in a toy for them – this saves wasting money buying toys that don’t really get used.”
For grandparents, loaning toys has huge advantages – you don’t need to store toys 24/7, it costs less to borrow toys than buy them, and you can always have new offerings for your little visitors.
To find out more about Katikati Toy Library, located at the back of the Christian Centre on Henry Rd, families can visit during opening hours on Tuesdays 7pm8pm and Wednesdays 2.30pm-4pm.
Or search ‘Katikati Toy Library’ on Facebook, email: katikatitoylibrary@gmail.com or text 027 551 5589.