Dohertys Creek P-9 College has celebrated the opening of its new toy library.
The result of 11 months of planning between the school, Community Hubs Australia and Toywell, the new space will provide access to a diverse range of educational toys that stimulate creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Community Hub leader Morwenna Petaia said playing with toys in a shared environment encourages students to interact, collaborate and build social skills.
“By sharing and taking turns, they learn co-operation, communication, and empathy—skills that are essential for teamwork and future interactions,” she said.
While toy libraries may conjure up images of young children playing, the joy is not limited to the community’s youngest members.
“When toy libraries encourage students to take toys home, they often engage parents in the process,” Ms Petaia said.
“This can create opportunities for meaningful parent-child interaction and support learning beyond the classroom.”
Providing an alternative to screen-based activities, can help younger students cultivate healthier habits, according to Ms Petaia.
The benefits of toy libraries go well beyond the indoors, with the sharing of previously loved toys helping cut down on environmental waste and promoting sustainable practices.
Depending on the generosity of volunteers, the school’s community hub is always welcoming helping hands.
The toy library will be open between 11am-noon on Tuesdays and 2-3pm on Thursdays.
Jaidyn Kennedy
