Until I became a parent I had no idea that there was such a thing as a ‘toy library’. Toy libraries are just like book libraries, except that you can borrow out toys!
For a yearly membership fee (often with discounts for concession card holders) you can borrow toys as often as you like, keeping a constant rotation of amusement and novelty for short attention spans. It’s a membership that saves you money, the environment and keeps your house relatively decluttered of all the plastic crap that seems to come with being a parent.
They are a lifesaver for any family and I think one of the best value memberships you can join. We have been toy library members since Lady AB was a baby – that’s almost 9 years strong!
While I know many families stop their toy library memberships once the kids start school, my kids (now 7 and 9) STILL love visiting and borrowing toys from our local toy library.
While sadly they no longer fit into the dress-ups (such a useful resource for Halloween, Book Week and costume theme days!), we now borrow board games, puzzles and awesome wooden marble runs. DUPLO is still a winner (especially as DUPLO blocks are compatible with LEGO bricks – did you know this??)
Here’s a list of all the toy libraries in Melbourne. Click here for a list of all the toy libraries outside metropolitan Melbourne, including Dandenongs, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Macedon Ranges and Geelong.
The most up to date contact list can be found at Toy Libraries Australia the peak body for over 280 toy libraries in Australia or by emailing info@toylibraries.org.au
Toy Libraries in Melbourne NORTH / NORTH EAST
Melbourne Community Toy Library – Carlton
- 469 Cardigan St CARLTON 3053 03 9658 8302
- Monday 3:00 – 6.00 pm, Wednesday 9:30 – 12:30 pm, Saturday 10:00 – 2:00 pm
Find Hotels and Airbnbs near Melbourne Community Toy Library – Carlton
- 8-16 Lulie St, Abbotsford, 3067
- Tuesday, Wednesday 9.30am – 12pm, Thursday, Friday 9.30am – 5pm, Saturday 9.30am – 2pm
Collingwood Toy Library – Fitzroy
- 160 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, 3065
- Monday, Wednesday 9.30 – 12pm
- Scout Hall, 14a Jolley Street WEST BRUNSWICK 3056 0491 165 790
- Saturday 9.30 am – 11.30 am
- 185 High Street, Northcote, 3070, 427787061, toylibrary@darebin.vic.gov.au
- Tuesday 9.30am-12.00 noon & 1.00-3.00pm, Thursday 9.30am-12.00 noon & 1.00-3.00pm, Friday 9.30am-12.00 noon & 1.00-3.00pm
- 2 Kelvin Road ALPHINGTON 3078 03 9499 7227
- Saturday 9.30 am – 11.30 am during school terms only
- Eltham Library Complex, Panther Place ELTHAM 3095 03 9439 3122
- Tuesday 9.30 am – 11.00 am, Thursday 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm, Sunday 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm
- Civic Drive GREENSBOROUGH 3088 0421 690 223
- First Tuesday of each month 7:30-8pm, Every Friday 10:15-11:45, Every Saturday 10:15 – 11:45
- 2-8 Taroona Avenue Warrandyte 3113
- Saturdays 10am-11:30am (during school term)
Broadmeadows Community Toy Library
- 24A Dimboola Road BROADMEADOWS 3047 409529970
- Tuesdays 10-12pm, Saturdays once a month
- 19 Interlake Pde ROSANNA 3084
- Saturday 3.00-5.00pm, Sunday 3.00-5.00pm,Monday 9.30-11.30am
Toy Libraries in Melbourne SOUTH / SOUTH-EAST / BAYSIDE
Stonnington Toy Library – Malvern
- 1 Winter Street MALVERN 3144 03 9500 1673
- Wednesday 9am-12pm, Thursday 9am-12pm, Friday 9am-12pm & 1-3pm, Saturday 9am-1pm
Stonnington Toy Library – Prahran
- G1/21 Bangs Street Prahran 3181
- Tuesday 10am-1pm, Thursday 10am-1pm, Friday 1-4pm
- 87 Tennyson Street ELWOOD 3184 444564810
- Wednesday 9.30-11.30am, Friday 9.30-11.30am, Saturday 9.30-11.30am
Emerald Hill – Middle Park Toy Library
- 254-256 Richardson St, Middle Park,3205 emeraldhilltoylibrary@gmail.com
- Tuesday 10am-12:30pm, Saturday 9:30-12:00midday
Emerald Hill – South Melbourne Toy Library
- 400 Clarendon St, South Melbourne, 3205 southmelbournetoylibrary@gmail.com
- Tuesday 10am-12:30pm, Saturday 10:00-12:00pm
- 333 Bay St PORT MELBOURNE 3207 413752693
- Wednesday 10.30am – 12.30pm, Saturday 10.30am – 12:30pm
Monash Area Toy Libraries – Glen Waverley
- 6 Herriotts Boulevard GLEN WAVERLEY
- Friday 10:00 – 11:30
Monash Area Toy Libraries – Jordanville
- 36 Burton Street CHADSTONE 3148
- Saturday 9:30 – 11:00
Monash Area Toy Libraries – Mulgrave
- Gladeswood Reserve Maygrove Way, Mulgrave, 3166 498084187
- Sunday 10:00 – 11:30
Monash Area Toy Libraries – Oakleigh
- Huntingdale Community Hall Germain Street and Huntingdale Road, Huntingdale
- Saturday 9:30 – 11:00
- 212 Dendy Street BRIGHTON EAST 3187 0447 985 221
- Wednesday- 7:00pm-9:00pm, Thursday- 11:30pm-2:30pm, Friday- 9:30am-12:30am, Saturday- 9:30am-12:30am
Carrum Downs Toy Library Inc @ Lyrebird Community Centre
- Lyrebird Community Centre, 203-205 Lyrebird Drive CARRUM DOWNS 3201 03 9782 0133
- Monday 10.30 am – 12.30 pm, Wednesday 9.00 am – 10.30 am, Saturday 10.30 am – 12.00 noon
- 92 Bignell Rd BENTLEIGH EAST 3165 moortoylib@gmail.com
- Tuesday 10am-12pm, Wednesday 7pm-9pm, Friday 10am-12pm, Saturday 10am-1pm
- 6 Lexia St ASHBURTON 3147 0427 451 323
- Friday 9:30am to 12:00pm, Saturday 9:30am to 12:00pm
- 12 Munro Avenue CARNEGIE 3163 401338176
- Wednesday – 7pm to 9pm, Friday – 10am to 12pm, Saturday – 10am to 12.30pm
Springvale Service for Children Toy Library
- 23-28 Lightwood Avenue SPRINGVALE 3171 03 8558 3800
- Monday 10.00 am – 12.00 noon, Tuesday 10.00 am – 1.00 pm, Wednesday 10.00 am – 1.00 pm, Thursday 10.00 am – 1.00 pm , Friday 10.00 am – 1.00 pm, Saturday 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
- 19 Norma Road FOREST HILL 3131 0449 123 338
- Monday 10am-12pm, Wednesday 6pm-8pm, Thursday 9.30am-11am, Saturday 10am-13pm
- Cnr Huntingdale Road and Germain Street, Oakleigh South
- Saturdays 9:30 – 11am, Wednesdays 7 – 8pm
- 11-13 Gerda St, Knoxfield, 3179 0424 265 790 info@knoxtoylibrary.org.au
- Thursday: 10am-12pm, Friday: 10am-12pm, Saturday: 10am-12pm
- 2b Lewis Street MORDIALLOC 3195 info@kingstontoylibrary.com.au
- Monday 2-4.30pm, Friday 9.30-11.30am, Saturday 9.30am-1pm, Click and collect: mid week Monday evening to Thursday evening, weekend Saturday afternoon to Monday morning.
Pakenham & District Toy Library
- Hollins Children’s Centre, 10 Atlantic Drive PAKENHAM 3810 0468 372 961
- Thursday and Friday 1st & 3rd week each month, Closed during school holidays
- Timbarra Community Centre, Parkhill Drive BERWICK 3806 0403 271 987
- Every second Monday and Saturday from 9:30-10:30 except public and school holidays.
Cranbourne and District Toy Library Inc
- Cranbourne Library Complex, 65 Cranbourne-Berwick Road CRANBOURNE 3977 0439 717 133
- Every Tuesday 10.00am – 11.30am, Every Thursday 12.00pm-1.30pm
- Anchorage Drive BLIND BIGHT 3980 (03) 5998 7014
- Thursday 11.00am – 12.00pm, Saturday 11.00am – 12.00pm
Toy Libraries in Melbourne EAST
- 152 Pakington Street KEW 3101 0492 949 738
- Tuesday :9.30am – 11.30am, Wednesday :2.30pm – 4.30pm & 7.00pm – 9.00pm, Friday :10.30am – 12.30pm, Saturday :9.30am – 2.00pm
- Lower Ground, 415 Church St, Richmond, 0412 287 914 info@rtl.org.au
- Tuesdays 10:30am – 12:00pm, Wednesdays 5:00pm – 6:30pm, Saturdays 9:30am – 12:00pm
- c/o Box Hill South Family Centre, 1228A Riversdale Road, Box Hill South 3128 president@boxhillareatoylibrary.org.au
- Monday 730-830pm, Saturday 930-1030am
- 109 Swanston Street LOWER TEMPLESTOWE 3107 0415 081 370
- Tuesday 10:00am – 11:30am, Thursday 7:00pm – 8:30pm, Friday 10:00am – 11:30am, Saturday 9:30am – 12:30pm
- 2 Kendall Street Canterbury 3126 secretary@canterburytoylibrary.com.au
- Tuesday 930-1215pm, Wednesdays 12:30-3:15pm, Fridays 9:30am-12:15pm, Saturdays 9:30am – 1:15pm
- Parkwood Community Hub, 35-39 Tortice Drive RINGWOOD NORTH 3134 413877870 president@maroondahtoylibrary.org.au
- Monday 9.30am – 1.30pm, Tuesday: 9.30am – 1.30pm, Thursday: 9.30am – 1.30pm, Saturday: 9.30am – 5:00pm
Toy Libraries in Melbourne WEST
Melbourne Community Toy Library – Kensington
- Kensington Community Recreation Centre, Corner Kensington Road and Altona Street KENSINGTON 3031 0425 365 096
- Tuesday 10.00 am – 11.30 am, Saturday 9.30 am – 12.00 noon
Moonee Valley Toy Library – Essendon
- 129 Lincoln Road ESSENDON 3040 0491 102 003
- Tues, Wed, Sat 9:30am-12:30pm
- 54 Lake St Avondale Heights 3034
- Fri & Sat 9:30am-12:30pm
- 1/539 Barkley Street, WEST FOOTSCRAY 3012
- Tuesday 9:30-11:30am, Saturday 10am-12 midday
Maribyrnong Toy Library – Maidstone
- 23 Burns St, Maidstone 03 8199 6301
- Monday 10:00am – 12:00pm, Tuesday 1:00pm – 3:00pm Tuesday
Hobsons Bay Toy Library – Newport
- Hobsons Bay Early Years Centre, 51 Maddox Road, Newport VIC 3015 03 9391 0294
- Thursdays 9.00am – 1.00pm, Saturdays 9.00am – 1pm
Hobsons Bay Toy Library – Laverton
- 15 Crown Street LAVERTON 3028 03 9369 9118
- Thursday 10.00 am – 12.00 noon, Saturday 10.00 am – 12.00 noon
Wyndham Little Buddies Toy Library – Werribee
- 57 Kookaburra Avenue WERRIBEE 3030 – 0432 361 126
- Monday 9.00 am – 12.00 pm, Friday 9.00 am – 12.00 pm, Saturday 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Wyndham Little Buddies Toy Library – Point Cook
- 1-21 Cheetham Street POINT COOK 3030 – 0492 980 692
- Tuesday 10.00 am – 1.00 pm, Friday 10.00pm – 1.00pm, Saturday 9.30 am – 1.30 pm
Wyndham Little Buddies Toy Library – Manor Lakes
- 84 Holyoake Parade, MANOR LAKES VIC 3024 – 0491 059 160
- Wednesday 10.00am – 12.00pm, Saturday 10.00am – 1.00pm
- Sunshine Library, 301 Hampshire Rd, Sunshine (03) 9249 4640
- Mon-Fri 9:30-8pm, Sat 10-5pm, Sun 1-5pm
- Borrowing toys is included in library membership
- Keilor Downs Community Centre, 90 Taylors Road KEILOR DOWNS 3038 0468 367 345
- 1st and 3rd Saturday 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
- 35 Dobell Avenue SUNBURY 3429 391125937
- Thursday 9.30am – 10.30am, Friday 9-11 (by appointment), Sunday 10am – 11am, During school terms
- Sunshine Teaching Unit, 10 Leith Ave, Sunshine 3020 0433 806 630
- Fridays 9:15-11am, Tuesdays 2:30-4:30pm and 1st and 3rd Saturdays 9-11am during school terms, occasional evenings (usually Mondays, check events!) and by appointment – message to arrange
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