Hamilton toy library helping families beat rising costs

Toy librarian Kasey Banfield has spent two years helping families find the perfect toy. Photo: Cheryl Voss

Families are facing a cost-of-living crisis at the moment; everything is expensive, essentials take priority and buying toys for children can be a luxury for many.

The Hamilton East Toy Library offers a solution for families looking for affordable and sustainable options. For less than the price of a cup of coffee, even the pickiest kid can find something they love and enjoy for two weeks instead of two hours.

Among the well-stocked shelves in the library, parents might spot a toy they haven’t seen since their own childhood, still in perfect condition and ready for a new generation to enjoy.

Kasey Banfield, the toy librarian, has toys dating back decades including a Lego Duplo set from the late 80’s, Fisher Price and Little Tikes.

“I’ll get parents come in and be like ‘I had this when I was little’, especially the Dads” she says.  

She points out a donated toy called the “Car Wash Service Station” which dates back to the 1970s and is still in working order. Next, she picks a Transformer figure from the shelf, takes it out of the box and encourages a closer look. It’s still in great condition after nearly 40 years.

Banfield said that in nearly two and a half years only two toys have been broken beyond repair.

The library has over 750 items available. Photo: Cheryl Voss

Simone Miller has been a member of the toy library for two years, travelling in from Huntington. She joined when her daughter was just 8 months old, and now swaps toys every two weeks to keep things fresh.

“It saves us buying new toys every month, and it’s better for the environment as well”, she says. “We come in and she gets something new, so it’s always changing”.  

Larger toys are stored in a shed out the back. Photo: Cheryl Voss

From ride-on-cars to slides and scooters, families can borrow enough to build their own playground at home.

An annual membership costs $60 per family which gives them access to the full range of toys for a fraction of what buying new would cost.  Rental fees range from $1 for puzzles and small toys up to $4 for the big outdoor pieces; all borrowed for a two-week period.

The toy library has been running for over 30 years and can be found on the corner of Grey and Wellington Streets in the St John’s church building and also has a website catalogue