New toy alert! Our Woolworths Mini Supermarket is a new favourite on the shelves - and it’s easy to see why. With a mini checkout, scanner and shelves ready to be stocked, it invites children into the world of pretend play. From “shopping” to “serving customers”, little ones practise turn-taking, communication and problem-solving while having a lot of fun along the way. It’s a brilliant toy for imaginative role play - and a great way for children to explore everyday routines

A new independent report, Valuing Play: The Social Impact of Toy Libraries in Australia, has put numbers behind something our community has always known. For every $1 invested in a toy library, $4.22 of social value is created. The research found toy libraries help: 🧸 Build strong home learning environments 💛 Reduce financial stress for families 🤝 Increase social connection and community participation 🌱 Support sustainability through sharing and reuse Importantly, every f

HOW GOOD IS TODDLER LOGIC...? Anyone with a toddler knows this feeling. The toy you carefully researched and bought… barely touched. Meanwhile the stick, leaf or cardboard box found outside becomes the most fascinating object in the world. And in a way, that’s exactly why Toy Libraries are so valuable. Children’s interests can change quickly, and the things they love most aren’t always the ones we expect!!! Being able to borrow, try new toys and rotate them regularly means fa

Before returning toys to Carnegie Toy Library, please: ☐ Wipe toys with baby wipes or antibacterial wipes (Keeping a packet near your toys can make returns much easier) ☐ Wash toys that need extra care in hot, soapy water Please don’t fully immerse toys, as water can get trapped inside ☐ Use a toothbrush or cotton wool on a stick Great for getting into small nooks and crannies Dry thoroughly with a clean tea towel ☐ Disinfect toys if your child has been unwell Disinfectant wi

More than half of all toys purchased in Australia - around 51% - end up in landfill within a year. Borrowing from the Toy Library means less waste, more savings, less clutter at home, and a positive step for the planet. A simple way to make play more sustainable! 🌱

Every day, our little ones remind us of the joy in the simple things - play, laughter and curiosity. They truly show us what life is all about. ✨

DOES YOUR LITTLE ONE LOVE… princesses? 👑 Whether they enjoy styling Princess Tiana’s hair, solving a Disney Princess floor puzzle, or pretending at the magic mirror, our collection of princess toys is ready to spark imagination and storytelling ✨ Role-playing as a princess isn’t just fun - it helps children develop creativity, confidence, and social skills as they step into character. Games like Disney Princess Memory also build concentration and problem-solving skills while

Play, learn, repeat! 🧩 Our puzzle collection is packed with fun ways to build problem-solving skills and spark curiosity. From fractions to floor puzzles, there’s something for every little mind to enjoy. “Play is the highest form of research.” - Albert Einstein Have you checked out our puzzles yet?

BrightWorks lets kids design and drill colourful bolts that actually light up. It’s a fun way to boost creativity, problem-solving - and fine motor skills while turning learning into play . Now available to borrow from the Toy Library! ✨

Switch-activated toys are specially modified so they can be turned on or off with a simple press of a large, easy-to-use switch. They’re...

Say hi to Caity, our Social Media Coordinator... 💚 She loves toys that fuel imagination, creativity and endless play: Magnetic Tile Set...

DOES YOUR LITTLE ONE LOVE... cars, trains, and trucks? Whether your little one loves zooming cars around the track, watching trains race...

Parenting Tip of the Day: The Power of Open-Ended Play. Encourage your little ones to play with toys that don’t have a single ‘right’ way...

DOES YOUR LITTLE ONE LOVE... sensory play? At Carnegie Toy Library, we’re excited to kick off a special series highlighting toys that...

Looking for a simple way to keep playtime fresh and exciting? Try rotating your child’s toys every few weeks! Studies indicate that...

IMAGINATION IN MOTION...... Our role play section is designed to inspire creativity and confidence in little minds - and these two toys...

Whether your little one loves zooming cars around the track, watching trains race along their routes, or hauling cargo with their trucks,...

Play, explore, discover - repeat! A very important quote from Helen Gibbons, a key voice in early childhood education. She highlights how...

One of our Carnegie Toy Library families sent us this sweet snap of their little one enjoying the Chinese New Year story sack - serving...

Some of our team’s toy picks! While we’d love to spill all our secrets, today we’re sharing just a few of our committee’s favourite toys!...