My daughter was allowed to pack only three stuffed animals in our suitcases when we were packing, in an attempt to minimize the number bags we were bringing. Of course, I packed math maipulatives that she could use as toys. : ) Otherwise, we were hoping she would use her imagination to find ways of playing with recyclables and items found in nature. And, with an occasional stop at a toy store, we'd add a few small items to her entertainment collection.
Well, our jaws dropped on our first visit to a toy store. Games were 15 to 30 dollars more than they would be at home. And, then there are the beautifully crafted, colorful, German wooden toys that we wish we could afford. Some of those are priced in the hundreds of dollars. One of our favorite toys is the tall one on the far right. A marble descends down a column of increasingly larger colorful pieces. The pitch of sound heard lowers as the marble descends the column. Since these wooden toys are quite pricey, we make periodic stops in this shop just to play.
Toy Library or Ludothek
After researching toys online, I came across a blog (The English Forum) written by English speakers from the U.S., Australia, South Africa, and England which addressed alternatives to buying new toys. (There is an English Forum blog for almost every topic of interest to us including hut to hut hiking routes). Anyway, I learned that there are toy libraries in most of the neighborhoods of Zurich.
Members of each Ludothek may check out up to four toys for up to four weeks. To become a member one must first pay the membership fee which ranges from about $28 to $70. Then you pay a small fee to check out each item. Most of the games cost 2 Swiss Francs or about $2.40 to check out. The money is not refundable upon return.
I was hoping to find a bicycle for X, but none were available at the time of my visit.
The items are categorized and neatly stacked in a small storage room.
We did not end up joining a Ludothek becuase, it just so happens, that I discovered a small indoor flea market at a community center. The day I visited everything was reduced to half off its price in an attempt to clear the shelves for a new supply of toys. I found some great bargains! Leaving with a nylon pop-up house that collapses, a block puzzle of Disney scenes, the book Gregory, the Terrible Eater, two small dog puzzles and a multi-game travel set all for about $15, I couldn't wait to share the treasures I had found with X. (I intend to take all of these items back to the flea market when we depart Switzerland.) Indoor Flea Market in Community Center
This weekend we had two families come over for a play date. The toys that were purchased at the flea market and a set of stencils with markers and paper were enjoyed by all five kids for hours.
Do you think a toy library would fare well in our community? What might be the pros and cons of a community toy library?
I think a toy library is a good idea as long as people bring the toys back clean and all the pieces are good and not broken or lost. I do think of germs . The toys in your picture look clean and nice.
Sean S.
What an attractive avatar!
The toys that were in the toy library were in good condition. I did not think of germs. Hmmm… I wonder if people really would return the games in good condition and with all of the pieces. The Swiss tend to follow rules fairly carefully.
Sean, I thought of you today as I opted for walking up the steep hills instead of riding the Pollybahn.