Our Services
Traveling Toys partners with public libraries and community organizations to create free toy lending libraries and play spaces that strengthen families and encourage learning through play. From the initial conversation through long-term support, we serve as both a funding partner and project manager, helping each community develop a successful and sustainable program.
Our services include:
-
Identifying local grant and funding opportunities
-
Developing customized toy lending library and play space plans
-
Providing curated lists of high-quality, durable toys and games
-
Preparing grant applications in partnership with libraries and community organizations
-
Transferring awarded grant funds directly to partner libraries
-
Assisting with toy selection and program implementation
-
Monitoring compliance with grant requirements
-
Supporting marketing, media outreach, and community engagement
-
Conducting follow-up evaluations to measure program success and impact
-
Helping secure additional funding for replacement toys, expansion, and long-term sustainability
From the initial planning stages through implementation and beyond, Traveling Toys works alongside each partner to ensure every toy lending library has the tools and support needed to thrive for years to come.
We believe a well-rounded toy lending library should provide children with opportunities to experience many kinds of play. Our collections are thoughtfully selected around seven types of play, helping libraries offer toys and games that support creativity, exploration, problem-solving, social development, and learning.
Our Approach to Play
The Benefits of Play
1. Play With Rules: Builds cooperation, patience, strategic thinking, math skills, and problem-solving skills
2. Free Play: Encourages independence, imagination, creativity, and decision-making
3. Dramatic Play: Develops imagination, communication, empathy, language and literacy skills, and social-emotional skills
4. Exploratory Play: Encourages curiosity, experimentation, problem-solving, and STEM learning
5. Sensory Play: Supports self-regulation, focus, sensory development, and fine motor skills
6. Constructive Play: Builds spatial reasoning, planning, persistence, early math skills, and fine motor skills
7. Creative Play: Encourages self-expression, imagination, confidence, communication, and literacy through storytelling
Interested in bringing a toy lending library to your community?
Contact us today to learn how we can partner together.
"One of the most important things about being a child is that you can take time to learn to play well." - Fred Rogers