If you’re tired of stepping on Lego and the same old Vtech tunes blasting through the living room, it could be time to switch it up. These Christchurch toy libraries have membership options to suit all.
Signing up for a toy library membership is easy and a cost-effective way to rotate toys in your child’s play space — including those big ticket items like outdoor slides and Cosy Coupes that cost a bomb! We’ve listed the available Christchurch toy libraries, including their membership options to help you save on space, money and sanity.
Read more: Christchurch Shopping Malls with Indoor Playgrounds for Kids
Christchurch toy libraries:
Rolleston Toy Library
Membership options:
- One-year: $100
- Six months: $70
Opening hours: Pickup/drop off time is 2-4pm on Sundays at 83 Detroit Drive (West Gate), Izone Business Park (off Hoskyns Road)
Members can borrow up to 4 toys at one time for 14 days.
Rangiora Toy Library
Membership options:
- Duty membership: $80 per year (minimum 3 hours of duty required over the year)
- Non-duty membership: $205 per year (no duties required)
- Temporary membership: $40
Opening hours: Wednesday 9.30-1130am and 6-8pm; Saturday: 9.30-12.30pm
Members can borrow up to 9 toys at one time for 14 days
Rangiora Toy Library, 1 Blackett Street, Rangiora, www.rangioratoylibrary.co.nz
Opawa St Martin Plunket Toy Library
Membership options:
- Option A: $45 per family for a 12-month membership, including 3 x 2-hour duty sessions (6 hours annually) and a $5 free toy hire on the day you complete your duty session.
- Option B: $96 per family for a 12-month membership
Opening hours: Tuesday: 7-8.30pm; Friday: 9.30-11.30am; Saturday: 9.30-2.30pm
Opawa St Martin Plunket Toy Library, 65 Sandwich Road, Beckenham, Christchurch, www.opawatoylibrary.org
Church Corner Toy Library
Membership options:
- Duty membership: $45 per year (minimum 4 x duties required over the year)
- Non-duty membership: $120 per year (no duties required)
- Casual membership: $30 (plus a $30 bond)
Opening hours: Wednesday: 1-2.30pm; Saturday: 11.30-2pm
Members can borrow toys for 14 days.
Church Corner Toy Library, 393 Riccarton Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch, www.toylibrary.co.nz/church-corner-toy-library
Eastside Toy Library
Membership options:
- Duty membership: $40 per year (8 hours volunteering annually)
- Temporary/guardian membership: $40 for 3 months; $60 for 6 months; $90 for 12 months (no duties required).
Opening hours: Saturday: 10.30-1pm
Members can borrow 3 toys per family (including one premium toy) and 1 puzzle per child for 14 days.
Eastside Toy Library, 332 Linwood Avenue, Linwood, Christchurch, www.eastsidetoylibrary.com
Halswell Toy Library
Membership options:
- Duty membership: $60 per year (7 hours of duty required over the year)
- Non-duty membership: $120 per year (no duties required)
- Grandparent membership: $10 (limited to 3 visits)
Opening hours: Saturday: 9-12pm; Wednesday: 7-8pm
Halswell Toy Library, Oaklands School 37 Cunningham Place, Halswell, Christchurch, www.halswelltoylibrary.org.nz
Ellesmere Toy Library
Membership options:
- One-year membership: $120 (inclusive of some duties and volunteering throughout the year)
- Committee membership: $80 (quarterly meetings throughout the year)
- Casual $10 for 2 weeks up to 4 times a year.
Opening hours: Saturday: 9.30-12pm
Members can borrow up to 3 toys per child at one time.
Ellesmere Toy Library, 184 High Street, Leeston, www.ellesmeretoylibrary.mibase.co.nz
Shirley Toy Library
Membership options:
- Duty membership: $40 per year (4 duty shifts required over the year)
- Full membership: $120 per year (no duties required)
- Grandparent membership: $60 per year. There are no extra requirements to do duties and members can use the library 6 times per year, with max 4 toys at a time.
Opening hours: Wednesday: 3.15-5:45pm; Saturday: 9-1pm
Members can borrow up to 10 toys at one time for 14 days.
Shirley Toy Library, Amos Place, Shirley, Christchurch, www.shirleytoylibrary.mibase.co.nz
Hornby Toy Library
Membership options:
Annual rolling membership fees:
- With a community services card $60
- Standard membership $90
Opening hours: Thursday: 5.30-7pm; Saturday: 9.30-12pm
Members can borrow toys for 14 days.
Hornby Toy Library, 34 Springs Road, Hornby, Christchurch, www.hornbytoylibrary.mibase.co.nz
Papanui Community Toy Library
Membership options: Duty and non-duty memberships are available annually. Enquire at [email protected] for pricing.
Opening hours: Wednesday: 7-8.45pm; Saturday: 10-12pm
Papanui Community Toy Library, 584 Harewood Road, Harewood, Christchurch, www.papanuitoylibrary.co.nz
Waimairi Toy Library
Membership options:
- One-year memberships: $80 (inclusive of 4-6 duties and volunteering throughout the year)
- Non-duty memberships: $120
- Casual: refundable $50 security bond and $5 for each toy borrowed.
Opening hours: Thursday: 7-8.30pm; Saturday: 9.30-11.30am
At the beginning of the year, members can borrow up to 8 toys, with a maximum of 4 red spot toys for 14 days
Waimairi Toy Library, Wairakei School 250 Wairakei Road, Bryndwr, Christchurch, www.waimairitoylibrary.org.nz
Parklands Toy Library
Membership options:
- Full membership: $90 per year
- Half membership:$45 for six months
- Duty membership: $40 per year plus 4 rostered duties
- Casual memberships: $30 for 4 hires over 12-months (maximum of 4 toys per hire)
Opening hours: Wednesday: 10-11.30am; Thursday: 5.30-7pm; Saturday: 10-12pm
Members can borrow up to 4 toys at one time for 14 days
Parklands Toy Library, 75 Queenspark Drive, Parklands, Christchurch, www.parklandstoylibrary.nz
Lincoln Community Toy Library
Membership options:
- Committee member: $20 per year (12 volunteer sessions required)
- Contributing member: $60 per year (2 volunteer sessions required)
- Non-contributing member: $100 per year
Opening hours: Wednesday: 1.30-3.30pm (term time); Saturday: 9.30-11.30am
Members can borrow up to 10 toys for 14 days.
Lincoln Community Toy Library, 158 North Belt, Lincoln, www.lincolntoys.setls.com.au
Christchurch South Toy Library
Membership options:
- Option A: $48 annual membership + 4 library duties
- Option B :$100 annual membership
- Option C: $10 per month temporary/grandparent membership
Opening hours: Tuesday: 9.30-11.30am; Saturday: 9-11.30am
Members can borrow toys for 14 days.
Christchurch South Toy Library, 47 Studholme Street, Somerfield, Christchurch, www.christchurchsouthtoylibrary.co.nz
