Looking for a way to keep your kids entertained without breaking the bank or cluttering your home with toys they quickly outgrow? Toy libraries are a fantastic solution! They offer a budget-friendly and sustainable way to provide children with a rotating selection of toys, games, and educational resources. Plus, they’re an excellent way to connect with other local families and even access expert advice on early childhood development.
Ready to give your kids endless hours of entertainment? Use our Quicklinks below to find a Toy Library near you:
- St Ives Toy Library
- Lane Cove Toy Library
- EarlyEd Centre, North Sydney
- Cubby House Toy Library, Forestville
- Cubby House Toy Library, Manly and Mona Vale
- Middle Dural Toy Library
- City of Ryde Toy Library
Benefits of Toy Libraries
- Cost-Effective: Instead of constantly buying new toys, families can borrow various items for a small annual fee (some are even free!).
- Sustainability: Toy libraries help reduce waste and promote a circular economy by borrowing instead of buying. They’re also a great way to teach children about sharing and caring for community resources.
- Variety and development: With an ever-changing selection of toys, kids can explore new interests and develop different skills—from fine motor skills and problem-solving to creativity and social play.
- Space-saving: There will be no more overflowing toy boxes or cluttered playrooms. When kids outgrow or get bored with a toy, they can simply return it and try something new.
- Community connection: Many toy libraries, like those run by EarlyEd, also offer support and advice to parents, creating a wonderful sense of community and connection.
How Toy Libraries Work
Joining a toy library is as simple as signing up for an annual membership. Most libraries offer an online catalogue where you can browse the available toys and place holds and use a convenient Click & Collect service. Each library has its borrowing terms, but generally, you can borrow a set number of toys for a few weeks. When the borrowing period ends, return the toys and pick up something new—it’s that easy!
Below, we’ve rounded up some fantastic toy libraries on the North Shore. Whether you’re looking for educational resources, sensory toys, or something new to spark your child’s imagination, there’s a library to suit your needs.
Toy Libraries on Sydney’s North Shore
EarlyEd Centre, North Sydney
The EarlyEd Centre in North Sydney supports children with developmental delays or disabilities, offering various programs tailored to enhance early childhood development. They also run a toy library two days a week, where families can drop in and check out their range. This provides children with various toys on rotation while keeping costs down.
- When: Tuesdays 11am – 12.30pm & Wednesdays 11am – 12.30pm
- Where: 3 Cunningham St, North Sydney
- Cost: $100 + $30 bond (annually)
- Website
Lane Cove Toy Library
Lane Cove Toy Library was established with the support of the Lane Cove Council. It offers a collection of over 900 toys, board games, and puzzles designed to keep children engaged and inspired. This innovative toy library operates on a convenient Click & Collect system, with pick-ups available on Thursday and Saturday mornings.
- When: Friday and Sunday, 9.30 am – 12pm
- Where: Manly and Mona Vale Libraries
- Fees: $85 (annual), $50 (6 monthly), $30 (quarterly)
- Website
St Ives Toy Library
This new toy library opened in St Ives in November 2024, offering parents a click-and-collect borrowing service to keep their kids busy. Organised by EarlyEd, it’s an excellent way for parents to meet and get advice about their child’s development while enjoying a low-cost, sustainable way to provide them with toys.
- When: Mondays, 11.30am-12pm
- Where: 1A Acron Road, St Ives
- Cost: $100 + $30 bond (annually)
- Website
Toy Libraries on Sydney’s Northern Beaches
Cubby House Toy Library, Forestville
The Cubby House Toy Library in Forestville, operated by EarlyEd, offers a diverse selection of toys suitable for children of all abilities and ages. Located at the rear of the Forestville Senior Citizens Centre, 3 Starkey Street, Forestville (2087), the library provides a valuable resource for families in the area.
- When: Mondays, 12pm-2.30pm, Wednesdays 10.30am-11.30am, Thursdays 10am-2pm
- Where: 3 Starkey St Forestville
- Cost: $100 + $30 bond (annually)
- Website
Cubby House Toy Library
Northern Beaches Libraries have partnered with EarlyED to provide Cubby House Toy Library.
They offer a low cost, environmentally friendly way for families to access a wide range of toys suitable for all ages and abilities. Families can easily browse the online Toy Library catalogue, join the service, and place orders for toy collections that are available via a convenient Click & Collect system. During school terms, toy orders can be picked up at either Manly Library or Mona Vale Library every Thursday morning.
- When: Thursday 10.30am-11am, during school term
- Where: Manly and Mona Vale Libraries
- Cost: $100 + $30 bond (annually)
- Website
More nearby Toy Libraries
Middle Dural Toy Library
This volunteer-run community organisation in the Hornsby Shire offers children the opportunity to play and explore through play. They have toys to suit children from birth to 10 years, with various indoor and outdoor toys, puzzles, costumes and ride-on toys.
- When: Saturday, 10 am – 12 pm
- Where: 1 Sunnyvale Road, Middle Dural
- Cost: $50 annually (depending on how many toys you borrow)
- Website
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North Ryde Toy Library
Toys are fantastic tools for engaging the senses and stimulating the brain. They are great for young children as well as people of any age or ability. The toys in the collection are selected for those of developmental ages between 0 and 7, but most can be used by people of all ages and abilities.
Visit North Ryde Toy Library, located within North Ryde Library, for various interactive toys and puzzles.
- When: Monday – Saturday (various hours)
- Where: North Ryde Library, 201 Coxs Road, North Ryde
- Cost: Free with a library card (up to 3 toys)
- Website
