Gathered with love,
shared to inspire
play & wonder
The story began when ...
A simple conversation between a mother and daughter sparked an idea that would grow into something much bigger.
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The mother "Robin" had spent over 30 years dedicated to early childhood education. With a diploma in Early Childhood and decades of experience running her own family daycare, she had witnessed the incredible power of play in shaping a child’s learning and development. Her greatest joy came not only from teaching children, but from guiding parents with the right tools and knowledge to support their child’s growth at home.
Meanwhile, her daughter "Grace" was navigating the everyday challenges of raising two young children. Like many parents, she found herself constantly buying new toys, only to watch her kids quickly lose interest or outgrow them. The house became cluttered, and the cycle of buying more felt wasteful and overwhelming. She longed for a smarter, more sustainable way to keep her children engaged without the endless expense.
One day, Grace shared her frustration with her mother. As they talked, their ideas began to connect. Robin's professional expertise and Grace's real life parenting struggles highlighted the same need. Families deserved access to a variety of quality toys that could grow with their children, without the financial or environmental burden.
And so, the idea of a toy library was born.
Unfortunately Grace and Robin were not able to continue with their vision of bringing the Toowoomba Toy Library to fruition, so that's where I stepped in, bringing their vision to life.
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I (Karyn) had recently started my very own children's bookshop - The Sweet Plot Bookshop in Highfields, after working in schools as a Teacher Aide for almost ten years. I have a passion for helping children to improve their literacy in the early years, and building skills through play that will take them confidently into the future. When Grace offered me the business to run alongside my bookshop, I thought it was the perfect opportunity. And so, here I am, owner and manager of both The Sweet Plot Bookshop and the Toowoomba Toy Library.
We love what we do
Because I've seen firsthand how play can shape a child’s world, this isn’t just about toys. It’s about supporting families, inspiring curiosity, and creating meaningful learning experiences through play.
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With almost 10 years of early childhood education experience, I know the incredible impact the right resources can have on a child’s development. And as a parent myself, I also understand the challenges of constantly buying new toys, managing clutter at home, and trying to keep little ones engaged as they grow and change.
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What makes this truly special is the heart behind it. Our toy library combines professional knowledge with real life parenting experience. It’s a space built by families, for families - a place where community, learning, and joy come together.
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I'm passionate about helping children learn through play and giving parents the confidence and support they need along the way. This isn’t just my work, it’s my purpose.
Our Values
Learning
Community
Sustainability
Creativity
Joy
Growth
Fun Facts
One shared toy can be loved by dozens of children.
Toy libraries can save families hundreds of dollars a year.
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Toy libraries protect the planet by reducing the number of toys that end up in landfill.