Minnesota Toy Library Locations

Address: Minnesota Toy Library locations, Minnesota Toy Library locations, MN, 55418
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South Minneapolis Branch, Richfield Lutheran Church, 8 West 60th Street. Minneapolis, MN 55419
Northeast Minneapolis Branch, In the Northeast United Methodist Church, 2510 Cleveland St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
St. Paul Branch, 1505 Burns Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55106

Did you know that there is a toy lending program in the Twin Cities? Visit a Minnesota Toy Library branch to try out games, puzzles, learning toys and more.

The Minnesota Toy Library (formerly Minneapolis Toy Library) is a toy lending program which seeks to reduce waste, foster child development, and build community in the Twin Cities area. An annual membership allows families to cycle through good quality toys – indoor toys, outdoor toys, literacy and educational toys, puzzles, board games, dolls and puppets, and toys to fit their latest interests. The shelves overflow with all kinds of toys.

Where to find The Minnesota Toy Library

The toy library has expanded to three permanent locations as of the summer of 2024. This has addressed some of my early concerns with the program. Members can borrow and return at any location. With permanent locations, lending events are scheduled at regular times (see the calendar below). Members can pick out toys and return toys from previous events at these times. Toys may be borrowed for up to four weeks. The fine for late toys is $1.00 if you can’t make it to an event to return your toys (or arrange to return them prior to an event).

Southside Toy Library

8 W 60th St, Minneapolis, MN 55419
After a few years of bouncing around, The Toy Library found its first permanent home at Richfield Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. When visiting, use the doors on 60th Street, closest to Nicollet with the Toy Library sign, then head down the stairs to find the toy room.

Minneapolis Toy Library Toddler Toys, including puzzles, lacing cards, Tots First Chunky Pegs, Primary Bucket Balance and Shape Sorter — Toddler Toys

Northeast Toy Library

2510 Cleveland St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
In fall of 2021, the Toy Library announced it was expanding with a new branch in Northeast Minneapolis. Beginning fall of 2023, their new location shares space with Neighborhood Children’s Home and Northeast United Methodist Church. Enter through the doors on the Cleveland Street side.

This location offers several great features:

Two rooms of toys on two levels with an elevator between levels
Wheelchair accessibility
Family restrooms
A “gym” space to try out large motor toys
An area for dropping off donations
A return bin if you just want to return a toy without checking out a new one
A bus stop 4 blocks away plus plenty of nearby street parking

Saint Paul Toy Library

1669 Arcade St, St Paul MN 55106
The most recent branch opened in Saint Paul in August of 2024. With this opening came the name change and new logo.

Toy Library Membership

The Minnesota Toy Library is a nonprofit organization and a community resource dedicated to their mission of reducing waste, fostering development, building community. In that spirit, they offer a sliding scale membership fee. Families are asked to pay what feels comfortable:

$40 – sustains operations
$50 – purchase new toys
$60 – pay for marketing materials
$70 – community play opportunities
$80 – offer scholarships
$90 – space expansion
$100 – foundational membership

Why we love the Minnesota Toy Library

Besides their commitment to the environment and economy through fostering good stewardship of toys, I am also very impressed with their practice using a portion of their grant money to purchase toys made by local toy makers. We love that children can have a variety of toys without filling the landfills with castoffs or cluttering the house with idle toys.

This concept is great for families with younger children, who want fewer toys. Their collection is mainly geared toward younger children, but as they grow, so does their collection.

An example of preschool-age toys offered at the Minneapolis Toy Library, including River Stones Stepping Game, alphabet buzzle, bingo, pull behind toys, blocks, Bowling Friends game and dolls. — Preschool Toys at the Minneapolis Toy Library

Is the Minnesota Toy Library right for you?

If your schedule works with their open hours, you don’t want to have an over-abundance of toys cluttering up your home, and you have transportation, the Toy Library could be your best friend.

Is a Toy Library membership worth it?

We think so. While the Minnesota Toy Library is not free toy lending library. The modest $40/year membership fee is approximately the price of one or two new toys. You would have a hard time beating that price for the quality and variety of toys available, even shopping secondhand and you get the added bonus of a rotation of “new toys” each time you visit.

What ages are best for a Toy Library Membership?

Most of the toys are aimed at preschool and younger. We would recommend memberships for kids 8 and under and highly recommend starting while your child is a baby. After that, if you have had a membership all along, your kids can offer guidance for when they are ready to move on.

Birthday party kits

Among the toy library’s inventory are birthday party kits that include games appropriate for kids ages 0-5 to play at a party. Party kits are available to check out as part of your membership.

More information

Web link: Minnesota Toy Library

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