Grants Boost Toy Libraries: Extending Capacity to Support Children with Disability, Developmental Delay and Concern

Lou Bell
6 days ago
6 min read

40 toy libraries have been successful in our 2025 Small Grants Round.

To receive the $1,000 grant, toy libraries were asked to present a project that would improve their service for children with disability, developmental delay, or developmental concern.

Can $1,000 Make a Difference?

It’s true that $1,000 doesn’t stretch far for most organisations these days—especially when disability or developmental support is involved, which often comes with higher costs. But in the context of a toy library, $1,000 becomes a grassroots, strengths-based investment that sparks meaningful change.

All of our member libraries already support children with disability or developmental concerns.

Bayswater Toy Library (WA) shared that their “member survey revealed that 20% of families have a household member with a disability which is more than double the rate from 2022. This underscores the growing need for inclusive resources. We plan to expand the specialised toy collection introduced through last year’s grant, which was designed to support children with additional needs. These toys have proven popular and well-received by member families, with feedback highlighting their value in supporting sensory, emotional, and social development. However, our current collection is limited in scope and quantity, and demand continues to grow.”

These small grants act as a modest but powerful boost—helping toy libraries reach more children, strengthen their strategic goals, and advance their continuous improvement plans, particularly in access, inclusion, and support.

Sharing Knowledge to Strengthen Impact

When TLA runs a small-grants process we have the opportunity to design in elements which not only enable fair distribution of funding but also promote sustainable best practice initiatives. Alongside eligibility and application details, our grant packs highlight real examples from toy libraries that have successfully implemented inclusive improvements. Our small grants rounds have become a catalyst for ideas sharing, enabling toy libraries to draw inspiration from one another and adapt ideas tested in communities across Australia.

What Will Toy Libraries Buy With $1,000?

Toy library grant applications are always a joy to read—they reflect the passion our community has for creating welcoming spaces and grow and update their resources to enable more families to take play home. Across the 40 successful projects, four key themes emerged:

1. Toys for Borrowing (including Party Hire): More than half of the successful toy libraries will expand their toy collections. Toy selection will be based on the needs of the toy library and informed by members and local professionals.

The Nintirri Centre Toy Library (WA) explained their vision, “This project will strengthen community connections in Tom Price by linking the Nintirri Centre Toy Library a local disability awareness group. Funding will support specialised resources chosen in consultation with the organisations Occupational Therapist, ensuring every item directly meets the needs of children with diverse abilities. The aim is simple: broaden access, deepen inclusion, and provide an open invitation for parents who may not yet know these resources exist or recognise the benefits of a toy library, so every child can play, learn, and thrive.”

2. Toys and Resources for Use Within the Toy Library: Many toy libraries will make visiting a toy library even more fun and successful for children and their families by purchasing toys and items to be used when visiting a toy library. Items such as ear muffs to reduce the sound (auditory) input, a cape (to give extra powers when feeling unsure if the environment has lots of social demands) or a low sensory tent to chill out in for a bit.

Manningham Toy Library shared why this matters "Inspired by my visit to WA toy libraries (particularly Tuart Forest Toy library) I want to make Manningham an easier place for families with additional needs and sensory issues to visit us. Some kids get over stimulated during our busy sessions and find it hard to make decisions leading to meltdowns that can cause additional stress on parents. We want to supply some additional tools for these families to use whilst browsing our collection plus some items they can borrow and use at home as well"

3. Improved Communication and Accessible Information

Many toy libraries are focusing on communication tools that enhance accessibility, support families, and reduce the anxiety of first-time visits.

Whitfords Rainbow Toy Library (WA) will integrate Key Word Sign into their resources "We will purchase the downloadable 27-page KWS Play and Sign resource sheet bundle from the Key Word Sign Australia website and put them with corresponding toys. The KWS resources will be matched with toys already in our library as well as using the additional funding of the grant to purchase new toys that pair well. The addition of KWS resources will help children and families engage through play and visual communication as a family and also give them skills to take out into the wider community that they are a part of, like schools, sports clubs and workplaces, promoting inclusion and accessibility reaching far beyond the library."

City of Prospect (SA) is creating an accessible, "story-based Toy Library guide for our Prospect Toy Library community. This guide will be in booklet form and aid current, new and prospective toy library families by clearly outlining what they can expect when visiting and using our toy library. The guide will combine photographic visuals and clear text to explain the arrival, borrowing and returns process specific to Prospect Toy Library. A desired outcome of this project is for our users to feel prepared for their first visit by understanding what to expect. It is hoped this guide will ease anxiety for first time visitors and provide users with clear instructions on how to have a successful experience at Prospect Toy Library.”

4. Community Events That Bring People Together Through Play

bringing people together through play can be a great excuse for toy libraries to make a special invitation to those people who don’t know about toy libraries but could really benefit from being able to borrow toys to support development.

Orana Toy Library (Dubbo, NSW) plans to use the funding to “host a free community information session and inclusive ‘Stay and Play’ event to help families support their children’s learning and development through play. Led by a local Occupational Therapist and/or Speech Pathologist, the event will show parents and carers how play and toys can build key skills such as communication, motor coordination, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Families will have the opportunity to learn, play, and explore together, using our wide range of educational and inclusive toys.”

Funding During Uncertain Times

At a time when funding uncertainty is common and systems are shifting, we’re proud to deliver support directly to toy libraries—place-based services, driven by local leaders that show up every day for families and know exactly what their community needs.

This grant round was oversubscribed, and while we were unable to fund every worthy application, we remain committed to seeking further support so all community toy libraries have the opportunity to bring their ideas to life.

When we empower community-based toy libraries to tell us what their communities need, we know the funding will make a real difference in the lives of children and families.

Congratulations to all the grant winners