Minnesota Toy Library

The mission of the Minnesota Toy Library is to reduce waste, promote development and build community in the Twin Cities metro area.

In 2015, the average US family spent$485 on toys - most of which will end up in our landfills. Through the toy library, families can access thousands of toys for as little as $40/year.

The Minnesota Toy Library was launched in 2014 by four new moms eager to reduce waste and the costs of toys for their families. It began as a mobile program, bringing toys to meeting rooms at libraries in the Minneapolis area. Soon thetoy inventory grew too big for thegroupcouldtocart them to and from libraries.

In the Spring of 2016 events were moved to one of the mom's garages,alongside her family's motorbikes! However, the need to find a more sustainable space continued to grow more pressing.

On August 2nd, 2016 the toy library finally had a place to call home - the youth room on the lower level of the Richfield Lutheran Church, and we have been thriving ever since!

TheNE Minneapolis Branch located at 2510 Cleveland ST NE.

In 2024 we opened our third location in St. Paul, MN thanks to funding from the Minnesota Pollution and Control Agency.

The Minnesota Toy Library is a toy lending program for families with children ages birth to 5 years.

Like a book library, you can check-out up to five toys, take them home for 2-4 weeks and exchange them for new ones when you return!

Shifts consist of either putting returned toys back on the shelves or helping check in and check out toys for our members. You will always be with a lead volunteer if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Your toy librarians