Treasure trove of toys at eager fingertips

MORNINGS are always abuzz with excited children at the Bendigo Community Toy Library.

Kids can visit the Spring Gully and Long Gully campuses across four days from 9.30am and take their pick from over 1500 toys at the volunteer run organisation.

“It’s so entertaining for kids,” said secretary of the BCTL Melissa Wainwright.

“They can look around, they get to make all these choices and then go home and play with them for the rest of the day.”

The toys aren’t just for entertainment though, as Ms Wainwright said the library provides a safe environment for children to build independence and learn to make their own choices.

“It’s more than just having fun,” she said. “Children learn so much through play and it’s a great environment for them to take the lead in what they’re interested in.”

The toys available are different to what families might find in shops with the library often sourcing items from educational sites that allow children to develop important motor skills.

Parents can also count themselves winners at the library, with the borrowing system allowing them to save money as children can bored of recently purchased toys pretty quickly.

“It’s a low-risk option for parents,” Ms Wainwright said. “You’re not making a huge investment in these toys that you think they’re going to love and then you take them home and it’s like ‘eh, not interested’.”

Each toy meets Australian safety standards, and the Library has introduced a stricter cleaning policy in the wake of COVID-19.

Concession memberships are available to join the BCTL and more information can be found on the library’s Facebook page or website bendigotoylibrary.org.au.