Monthly Toy Rental Service Allows Families to Borrow Toys from Rutabaga Toy Library
HOST:
Step into the world of sharing, where even your kid's toys get in on the action. Reporter Buffy Gorrilla checks out Philadelphia's Rutabaga Toy Library, a paid toy-lending hotspot that aims to keep playthings out of the trash can.
GORRILLA: With a gleam in her eye, Krystal Cunillera watches as the Rutabaga Toy Library door swings open. Up walks Auggie — a regular Rutababy, here for some good old-fashioned fun.
CUNILLERA: Say hello, Auggie!
GORRILLA: Auggie's not much for talking. After sanitizing his hands (it's all about safety here), he smiles and gives us the side-eye, mysterious as ever.
CUNILLERA: Care to slide down now, buddy?
AUGGIE: Slide down!
CUNILLERA: Let's give it a whirl!
GORRILLA: Cunillera keeps a close eye on Auggie as he scuttles up a wooden structure, right in the middle of a colorful, braided rug playground.
AUGGIE: Yeehaw!
CUNILLERA: Yeehaw!
AUGGIE: Yeehaw!
GORRILLA: After becoming a mom, Cunillera started pondering ways to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. And the biggest obstacle? The ever-growing toy box.
CUNILLERA: We'd amass these high-end toys that I didn't want to just chuck away. So, a group of us friends started sharing toys, and it just felt like there was something more there.
GORRILLA: It's a simple idea, really.
CUNILLERA: A toy library is sort of like a book library, but instead of books, you swap toys. You borrow them, and you bring them back and trade them out.
GORRILLA: But Cunillera manages it like a business. Families shell out anywhere from $15 to $65 per month, and there are scholarships for those in need.
CUNILLERA: They get to borrow four toys at a stretch with unlimited exchanges, so they can swap them out daily if they want.
GORRILLA: Sounds appealing to members like Kristin Stitt, who digs the ability to toy test before making a purchase for her son, Sean.
STITT: I can bring a toy home, see if he digs it. If not, no harm, no foul – no money wasted.
GORRILLA: Rutabaga got its start with just 300 toys, but now the collection is supersized.
CUNILLERA: Now we've got 1,800 items in our library, catering to kids aged 0 to about 12, and families use this as a gathering space, a resource for decluttering their homes, and a playground.
GORRILLA: Stitt and Sean are massive fans of the toy library.
CUNILLERA: Pots and pans, huh?
STITT: We visit here three times a week. We absolutely love it. He's developed such a little community of friends. People know his name, and he knows plenty of others.
GORRILLA: Joe Shotkus and his son, Townes, are frequent patrons.
SHOTKUS: It's a godsend that we can bring our little one here multiple times a day for story hour or just to run around and play. Without this, we don't know what we'd do with him most of the day (laughs).
GORRILLA: But for the kids, it's all about the toys.
CUNILLERA: Helicopter?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Yep!
CUNILLERA: Helicopter?
GORRILLA: The Rutababies will keep coming back for more.
For NPR News, I'm Buffy Gorrilla in Philadelphia.
(SOUNDBITE OF RANDY NEWMAN SONG, "YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME")
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The Rutabaga Toy Library, located at 3426 Conrad Street, C2, Philadelphia, is an innovative concept designed for sustainability and community. This library offers a unique toy-sharing model that encourages neighbors to gather, play together, and help reduce waste by reusing toys rather than discarding them. The benefits of the Rutabaga Toy Library include:
- Environmental Benefits: By reducing the need for new toys, families can contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle, aligning with eco-friendly values.
- Cost-Effective: Parents can access a variety of toys without the financial burden of purchasing them all, making it an affordable option for engaging children in multiple play activities.
- Educational Opportunities: The library offers activities such as reading stories and singing, which can aid in developing children's cognitive skills and creativity.
- Social Interaction: Regular gatherings and events facilitate social interaction among families, helping children build social skills in a supportive environment.
The Rutabaga Toy Library, with its focus on sustainability and community, extends beyond just toy-sharing. It serves as a vibrant news piece in the economy, offering a solution for eco-conscious families seeking to limit waste in their lifestyle. Furthermore, the toy library fosters a close-knit community among its members, providing a space for children to expand their social circles and engage in educational activities.
