Think of us as a library—but for toys!
How the Collective Works
Instead of buying new, you can borrow, enjoy, and return toys.
Drop-Off Days
First Drop-Off
Members can bring up to 3 toys from home to add to our collective.
We will inspect and assign points based on the quality and type of toys submitted.
Subsequent Drop-Offs
Each month, during our designated drop-off days, members return the toys they borrowed; and, have the option of bringing an additional 2 toys from home to add to our rotation.
Swap Days
Later each month, we will host swap days where members can then redeem their points for “new” toys. Members can bring home up to 3 toys each swap.
Because The Toy Chest Collective operates like a toy library, all borrowed toys must be returned each swap cycle to keep playtime fresh for everyone. This system allows us to keep a steady rotation of high-quality toys while ensuring all families have access to engaging and developmentally appropriate play.
The Point System
Each toy is assigned a point value based on size and category, not brand. When you bring toys to swap, you earn points that you can use to ‘shop’ for new toys.
To ensure fairness and maintain balance, every member has a 12-point cap, which means points cannot accumulate beyond this limit.
Any toys brought from home beyond this cap will be considered a donation to the collective, helping to expand our shared inventory for all members. This creates equal access for everyone, and keeps our swaps well-stocked and sustainable.
Understanding Your Points: An Example
Let’s say for their first drop-off, a member initially brings:
- One 2-point toy
- Two 3-point toys
They now have 8 points to "shop" with at their first Swap Day.
At the next Drop-Off Day, they return the toys they borrowed, so their balance resets to 8 points. They also bring:
- One 1-point toy
- One 4-point toy
The 4-point toy is added to their balance, giving them a total of 12 points. However, the 1-point toy exceeds the 12-point cap and is donated to our collective to help expand our shared inventory.
At the next Swap Day, they can:
- Spend up to 12 points on new toys, OR
- Choose to spend fewer points and save some for a future swap.
How a Member Could Spend Their Points
Example 1
A member has 12 points to shop with and chooses:
- Two 4-point toys (a Tonies character, and a LEGO set)
- One 3-point toy (a Magna-Tiles set)
- One 1-point toy (a baby doll)
Total Points Spent: 12
Example 2
A member has 12 points to shop with and chooses:
- Two 3-point toys (a Lincoln Log set, and a train set)
- One 1-point toy (a set of stacking cups)
Total Points Spent: 7
Total Points Remaining: 5 (for a future swap)