A Smart Community Investment: SROI research shows toy libraries are high impact, low-cost

Those of us involved in running toy libraries already know their value.

We see it when a family leaves with arms full of toys and big smiles. We hear it when a child excitedly tells us about a favourite toy they’re returning. We feel it in the pride of parents who know they’re supporting their children to learn and thrive. And we hear it when community members connect, share knowledge, and support each other — moments that make our hearts feel full.

But while lived experience and “the vibe” matter deeply, they’re not always what funders are looking for. Evidence matters too. That’s why we’re excited to share that we now have the data to back it up.

Newly released Toy Libraries Social Return on Investment (SROI) research by Think Impact shows that for every $1 invested in a toy library, $4.22 of social value is created.

This value goes far beyond access to toys. It is created through increased confidence, capability, and wellbeing for parents and carers — reported by all families including those raising children with disability, developmental delay, or developmental concerns — alongside stronger communities and positive environmental outcomes.

What Is Social Return on Investment?

Social Return on Investment (SROI) quantifies the broader value created by a service — beyond direct outputs — by capturing the outcomes experienced by the people who use it.

What the Report Found

The report shows that toy libraries deliver impact across multiple, interconnected areas.

• Supporting families with cost-of-living pressures: toy libraries provide affordable access to high-quality, developmentally appropriate toys — that can otherwise be costly or out of reach. For families with children with disability or developmental delay or concern, this access reduces financial risk and stress. Families can try toys, games, and resources that support specific developmental goals, knowing they can return them as their child grows or their needs change. "I don't have the financial means to go out and buy hundreds of dollars worth of sensory toys, so the toy library has been a great way for us to be able to give those things to our daughter" Toy library parent of a child with disability.

  
  

• Building parent confidence and capability: a key finding of the SROI report is the role toy libraries play in building parents’ confidence. By providing curated, developmentally appropriate toys, guidance from knowledgeable staff and volunteers. This increased confidence contributes to longer-term outcomes, including stronger home learning environments and improved wellbeing for both children and parents.

  "I think I would be less confident as a mum, even just the act of getting you and baby out of the house can feel monumental and the trip to the toy library is a good ‘thing’ to do and builds confidence with outings" - Toy library parent
  

• Better outcomes for children through play: play is central to how children learn and develop. The report reinforces that parents report that toy libraries support their children’s:

  • cognitive development and problem-solving

  • motor skills and coordination

  • communication and social interaction

  • sensory exploration and regulation

For children with additional needs, play-based resources provide a flexible, strengths-based way to support development — without pressure, assessment, or stigma.

"Toy libraries have made a huge positive difference! It means we are able to provide developmentally appropriate toys without financial stress or worry. It makes our days happy as we always have fun and engaging toys to play with" Toy library parent.

• Reducing isolation for families: the SROI report highlights the social value created when families feel connected rather than isolated. Toy libraries act as inclusive, low-barrier community spaces where parents and carers can:

  • connect with other families

  • share experiences and informal advice

  • feel welcomed and understood

  "I've built friendships with other volunteers and parents, and my children have made friends they can learn and play with too. Being part of the toy library community fills me with pride, knowing that our efforts make a real difference to local families." - Toy library member and volunteer.

  
  

• Stronger communities and volunteering pathways: toy libraries also generate social value through volunteering — supporting skill development, confidence, and pathways to employment, including for people with lived experience of disability and caring. These connections strengthen community resilience and create supportive networks around families.

  "It has been a big part of my life for 18years, and without it I'd lose an important way to contribute, especially with my disability, and a place where I feel valued and able to give back." -Toy library volunteer

  
  

• Environmental benefits through sharing and reuse: the report confirms that toy libraries play a significant role in reducing waste and supporting the circular economy. Toys are shared, repaired, and used by many families, extending their life and reducing landfill.

  "Wish we'd known about this amazing service earlier and have told everyone who will listen about its benefits - not just for our family, but financially and environmentally too" - Toy library parent

Who Contributed to This Report

This independent research was undertaken by Think Impact and funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

The findings were shaped by the generosity, expertise, and lived experience of many people across the toy library community. We would like to sincerely thank the staff, volunteers, and members that contributed to focus groups and onsite interviews including Springvale Service for Children, Hobsons Bay Toy Library, Collingwood Toy Library, Orana Toy Library, Mount Gambier Toy Library and Stonnington Toy Library for their time, insights and meaningful contributions to this work.

We are especially grateful to the committee members, parents, and carers who participated in focus groups and openly shared their experiences. Thank you to our many member toy libraries who distributed surveys and followed up members and volunteers to share their experiences. Their voices were essential in understanding the real-world impact of toy libraries and were central to informing this Social Return on Investment analysis.

We also acknowledge and thank the Toy Libraries Australia Board and the Toy Libraries Australia National Disability Leadership Group for contributing their leadership, and expertise throughout the project.

Why This Evidence Matters

This report arrives at a critical time. Families are juggling many pressures, early year and disability service systems are being reformed, and communities are seeking inclusive, preventative supports that deliver real outcomes.

The SROI findings show that toy libraries:

• support parents and carers early, before challenges escalate

• build confidence

• complement health, education, and disability services

• deliver measurable social, economic, and environmental value

  
  

This evidence can inform funding decisions, policy development, disability inclusion strategies, and advocacy for new toy libraries in communities that currently lack access.

More Than Toys

Toy libraries have existed in Australian communities for more than 50 years. For much of that time, they have been largely unseen by funders — yet sustained by communities who clearly see and feel their value.

This report is an invitation to funders and decision-makers to see that value too, and to invest with confidence. The evidence shows that supporting toy libraries is not a leap of faith, but a smart investment that delivers a significant social return.

Not-for-profit toy libraries are community-based spaces that support play, learning, confidence, connection, and sustainability. For families of children with developmental delay, developmental concern, or disability, they offer practical, flexible support that adapts as a child grows — strengthening parents and carers along the way.

Most importantly, toy libraries deliver strong social value for a relatively small investment, making them one of the most effective and accessible community supports available.

Read the Report

We invite you to read the full Toy Libraries Social Return on Investment report and explore the evidence in detail.

And if you think that you, or your organisation would like this sort of return for your investment dollar our door is always open to partner with you.