Our toys
We share toys, games and puzzles that spark imagination, build skills, and make play more fun for everyone, young and old.
Memberships are open to everyone, but our toys are typically designed for 0-8 year olds.
You can borrow toys for up to three weeks, or swap them more often - whatever suits your family.
Our toy collection is constantly growing. Want to donate or suggest a toy for us to buy? Email us at hobarttoylibrary@gmail.com.
221
million toys are imported to Australia each year
51%
of these toys become waste within 12 months
*Australian Toy Association, 2022. Material Flow Analysis.
How it works
1. Pick your toys
Drop into one of our borrowing sessions and choose your toys, games, and/or puzzles.
2. Take them home
Check your toys out with one of our volunteers before you head home to play!
3. Bring them back
Make sure your toys are complete, clean, and in the packaging you borrowed them in, ready for the next family to take home.
4. Repeat!
You can enjoy your toys for up to three weeks (though of course you can come to an earlier borrowing session to swap them for new toys).
Troubleshooting
When kids are involved, accidents happen, and things go missing. We get it, and we don’t want you to be afraid to borrow. Here’s how we work together to handle sticky situations.
Missing pieces
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If you know there is a piece missing from your toy, let us know when you return it (or send us an email if you forget). We will note this on your membership, but don't worry, we allow plenty of time to find it. Many pieces turn up, usually when you stop looking for them!
Lost or damaged toys
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We are understanding and allow for everyday wear and tear when it comes to borrowing our toys. We treat all cases individually. Please talk to us, and we’ll work together to come up with a solution.
All members share responsibility for taking care of our toys and making sure they are used safely and respectfully at home:
Cleaning
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Please return toys clean and ready to be played with by the next family. This includes outdoor toys. If you need some tips on cleaning tricky toys, see Toy Libraries Australia’s handy guide.
Safety
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Parents and carers are responsible for looking after their children while at the toy library and ensuring that borrowed toys are always used safely.
Age-appropriate toys
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All toys have a suggested age range, and some toys have warnings (e.g. small parts). Please check the toys you borrow are appropriate for your child.
Bike & scooter helmets
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All bike and scooter riders must wear a helmet by law in Tasmania. You must make sure your child always wears a helmet when riding bikes and scooters from the toy library.
Broken toys
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If a toy you borrowed is not working properly, please tell us about it, so we can fix or retire it.
Support us
We’re proudly a non-profit, volunteer-run organisation, growing something for the long term - toys that last and a library that keeps evolving, learning and supporting Hobart families for years to come.
Our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to hear what we're up to, get a first look at our latest toys, and learn about our impact.
