Lucas kids trade toys and stories

TO help families save money and reduce waste, kids can come and join in on the fun at the now monthly Toy and Book Exchange program which just kicked off at Coltman Plaza in Lucas.

Set to take place on the second Wednesday of each month, the Toy and Book Exchange Program is partnered with the Lucas Kids Club to also provide children with free activities during the swaps.

After the first swap, Coltman Plaza marketing manager Katerina Tsamourtzis said it was an amazing turn out and a great way to kick start the program.

“The whole idea of the Lucas Kids Club and the Toy and Book Exchange was to bring the community together,” she said.

“Lucas has a great community vibe so we wanted to expand on that and give people a place to come and offer some value.

“Kids get so many toys, I know that as a mum, when my child had toys and they play with them for a bit then a lot of them end up in landfill so we thought a good way to help this is to swap and keep the toys moving.”

In addition to supporting for the environment, being great for parent’s wallets and fun for the kids, Ms Tsamourtzis said providing children with new toys and books is a great way for them to learn.

“We know that once the kids have something new, it uses their imagination so they are actually growing and using new skills,” she said.

“Because everyone loves their books we also installed a little library right here where everyone can come and swap their books even when are not here at the kid’s club.”

“In terms of the activities, today we had storytelling, so it was more aimed towards the toddlers but the next kids club falls within the school holidays, so we’ll have plaster decorating, painting as well as bead making so a bit of everything.”