Kiwicanfly
Registered User
Does anyone know if there is a toy library in Hong Kong so we can borrow toys short term? Then we could offer baby a variety, without having to fill up all our storage spaces.
Toy Library
- Thread starter Kiwicanfly
- Start date
hi guys
I was thinking of also starting one. Do you guys want to get together and see if we can come up with something that we'd like to do? The main library (hong kong central library in between Tin Hau and Causeway Bay MTR stations) has a fantastic toy library but you can't take the toys out and you only get a 45minute session at a time. Very frustrating for little ones who are engrossed in play only to be told to stop and get out of the play area. The toy library was set up by Playright Children's Play Association but I'm not aware of anything else (but I've only been here a short while). In Australia most if not all the municple libraries (well, Sydney anyway) have a toy library and it's a wonderful resource. In Sydney there is also a mobile Playbus (with toys and activities for the kids to do) which sets up for a few hours on a particular day of the week in a park which would be great to do here. I'm not sure if the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (the guys that maintain the parks and kids playgrounds) would go for it but I was thinking of making an enquiry.
I was thinking of also starting one. Do you guys want to get together and see if we can come up with something that we'd like to do? The main library (hong kong central library in between Tin Hau and Causeway Bay MTR stations) has a fantastic toy library but you can't take the toys out and you only get a 45minute session at a time. Very frustrating for little ones who are engrossed in play only to be told to stop and get out of the play area. The toy library was set up by Playright Children's Play Association but I'm not aware of anything else (but I've only been here a short while). In Australia most if not all the municple libraries (well, Sydney anyway) have a toy library and it's a wonderful resource. In Sydney there is also a mobile Playbus (with toys and activities for the kids to do) which sets up for a few hours on a particular day of the week in a park which would be great to do here. I'm not sure if the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (the guys that maintain the parks and kids playgrounds) would go for it but I was thinking of making an enquiry.
Kiwicanfly
Registered User
Toy library
This is great - I was thinking if a toy library didn't exist then I would like to start one. There are so many great toys available to help babies learn and explore, and of course it is impossible to own them all. But to borrow for short term would be ideal.
I will start to make enquiries about a location for storage etc, and if I can get this going would love to have administrative help...plus any second hand toys (suitable for easy cleaning and safety)...If I can't swing a location though - maybe we could explore the suggestions in the string here for toy swapping?
Looking forward to getting this started!!
Ciao
This is great - I was thinking if a toy library didn't exist then I would like to start one. There are so many great toys available to help babies learn and explore, and of course it is impossible to own them all. But to borrow for short term would be ideal.
I will start to make enquiries about a location for storage etc, and if I can get this going would love to have administrative help...plus any second hand toys (suitable for easy cleaning and safety)...If I can't swing a location though - maybe we could explore the suggestions in the string here for toy swapping?
Looking forward to getting this started!!
Ciao
i think both the toy library and toy swapping are great ideas. while setting up a toy library will take some time and organization, toy swapping can be implemented immediately. we can simplly set up a yahoo groups account while the toy library idea is further explored and possibly set up.
w/ yahoo groups, we can upload photos of what we have and contact members individually via email if we are interested in a swap.
let me know any thoughts u have. i wouldn't mide setting up the yahoo groups account
w/ yahoo groups, we can upload photos of what we have and contact members individually via email if we are interested in a swap.
let me know any thoughts u have. i wouldn't mide setting up the yahoo groups account
Someone in U.S. has already started this toy business. You sign it up with credit card and they charge you monthly (about $29). You select toy online, sometimes need to wait a while to get the toy you / your kids want. Greatest part is they send toys to your address. I believe that owner just started to collect profit recently after spending $200, 000 to get it going. Kind of a toy version of netflix.
Great part-time work for stay home moms. If you are thinking about this seriously, PM me.
Great part-time work for stay home moms. If you are thinking about this seriously, PM me.
All these great ideas. I really like the idea of first setting up an online library to iron out all the kinks in operating a library with a view to having a place to visit at a later stage. I should be able to help out with storage initially until we find a bigger place for all the toys.
Kiwicanfly
Registered User
Toy libraries are well established in New Zealand as well. They are generally run as "Not for Profit" organisations, administered mostly by parents.
I would imagine an internet swap would work well for some people, but then do you swap back...? Or onward swap - is this a means of passing on second hand toys...?
As a borrowing venture, I think the internet would only add costs, as you still need a location to store the toys, and ensure cleaning and safety checks occur. And you would add the cost of shipping logistcs.
I am very interested in the internet swap idea - please keep me in the loop if you proceed. And I will also investigate setting up a physical library.
I would imagine an internet swap would work well for some people, but then do you swap back...? Or onward swap - is this a means of passing on second hand toys...?
As a borrowing venture, I think the internet would only add costs, as you still need a location to store the toys, and ensure cleaning and safety checks occur. And you would add the cost of shipping logistcs.
I am very interested in the internet swap idea - please keep me in the loop if you proceed. And I will also investigate setting up a physical library.
Swapping can be done instantaneously. Setting up a toy library involves cataloging. Cataloging is, by itself, a very time consuming process.
Some examples of cataloging fields for toys:
-age groups
-soft/hard
-no. of parts (in a set)
-maker (brand)
-batteries needed?
-girls'/boys' toys
-condition
and so forth.
(Sorry - I'm a geek. I read cataloging and classification once upon a time pre-baby days.)
Some examples of cataloging fields for toys:
-age groups
-soft/hard
-no. of parts (in a set)
-maker (brand)
-batteries needed?
-girls'/boys' toys
-condition
and so forth.
(Sorry - I'm a geek. I read cataloging and classification once upon a time pre-baby days.)
Kiwicanfly
Registered User
There is a toy library within the Central Library in Hong Kong. Parents book a time period and children can play with the toys for 45 minutes at a time. This is administered by Playright in Hong Kong.
Based on the small amount of feedback from this forum, and some conversations with other parents in the area, I am working on feasibility of establishing a lending toy library in Hong Kong. This will enable parents to take age appropriate toys home for their children for either 2 or 4 weeks at a time. I have some information from the International Toy Libraries group, and I'm working on a charter currently to do this locally, if it is feasible, then it will require vounteer parents to assist in administration. And, it will take time - as with all good things.
In the mean time - to fill this need - I like the idea posted by Miaka for Yahoo Groups toy swap. I'm not very techy, but if you need any help to set this up, please PM me.
Based on the small amount of feedback from this forum, and some conversations with other parents in the area, I am working on feasibility of establishing a lending toy library in Hong Kong. This will enable parents to take age appropriate toys home for their children for either 2 or 4 weeks at a time. I have some information from the International Toy Libraries group, and I'm working on a charter currently to do this locally, if it is feasible, then it will require vounteer parents to assist in administration. And, it will take time - as with all good things.
In the mean time - to fill this need - I like the idea posted by Miaka for Yahoo Groups toy swap. I'm not very techy, but if you need any help to set this up, please PM me.
i've set up a yahoo groups. to join (you will need a yahoo id), pls visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hktoylibrary/
St Stephens Toddler Group
Hi, what about approaching an existing Toddler Group like the St Stephens Toddler Group in Stanley. It is run by the Church and may be able to offer you space, and offer the toy library as an extension to the toddler group. This is the website address:
http://www.ststephen.org.hk/Chapel Groups.htm
Hi, what about approaching an existing Toddler Group like the St Stephens Toddler Group in Stanley. It is run by the Church and may be able to offer you space, and offer the toy library as an extension to the toddler group. This is the website address:
http://www.ststephen.org.hk/Chapel Groups.htm