Stop buying beach toys – Use beach toy libraries instead

Published On: December 4th, 2025

Beach Toy Libraries

Stop buying beach toys – Use beach toy libraries instead

Making sandcastles at the beach was a very memorable part of my childhood. Now with kids of my own, I found myself buying beach toys so we could create similar memories. And I think many other parents go through something similar.

Then when kids outgrow beach toys, where do they go? At best they have a second life, but at worse they go straight into landfill. In some cases, they get left at the beach or washed out to sea.

However, there is a better way to still make sandcastles at the beach, but with less waste, and that’s by borrowing toys from beach toy libraries.

What are beach toy libraries?

Similar to street libraries, beach toy libraries allow you to borrow items for free, play with them, and return them to the same library. The libraries may be a bookshelf, cupboard or a box-type structure situated next to a beach. They are organised by different individuals and groups, but rely heavily on the community to keep them running well.

What type of toys do they stock?

It differs from library to library, but they usually contain classic beach play toys like buckets, spades, sand moulds, rakes, scoops, sifters and watering cans.

What are the benefits of beach toy libraries?

Beach toy libraries can potentially benefit the environment, parents and the community in the following ways:

Reduces manufacturing demand and toy waste

Using beach toy libraries means we buy less toys because we’re sharing them with other families. This reduces the energy and resources required for manufacturing new toys because there is less demand for them. This also has potential to reduce the number of beach toys becoming landfill waste or marine litter.

Supports the circular economy

Sharing toys through beach toy libraries is one way to support the circular economy for toys, where toys get used again and again instead of thrown away.

Provides benefits for parents

Parents don’t have to buy and store their own beach toys, which saves them money and space. Beach trips are easier because there’s less stuff to take along, which is great for families with young kids.

Build community through shared resources

Just like other things in the sharing economy, beach toy libraries help foster connectiveness in the community because people are caring for and sharing the same toys.

Teaches kids about the importance of sustainability

Beach toy libraries educate kids about the importance of sharing toys with others so we can better look after our environment.

How can I get involved?

The toys in these libraries are available to everyone. As these libraries are usually self-managed by the community, we can all do our part to help ensure they run well and are used responsibly.

Look after the toys

If we treat the toys like our own and take good care of them, they can be played with by many other families. For example, when toys are used in play, keep an eye on them so they don’t disappear into the sand or water.

Donate quality toys

If you see a library which is near empty, you could consider donating some beach toys to it. If it’s available to you, you could donate beach toys which are made from metal or wood because they don’t release plastic fragments (from broken toys) and microplastics into the environment.

Do a quick tidy up

You could take a moment to give the library a quick tidy up, remove any broken toys (they can potentially be recycled through Big W’s Toys for Joy toy recycling program) or repair any toys which need fixing.

Put away toys

If you notice any toys left behind at the beach, you could pick them up and put them back in the beach toy library. These libraries provide a place for beach toys to be kept, away from the sand and water, so they don’t end up in the ocean.

How do I find a beach toy library?

Currently, there is no single source of information about the location of all beach toy libraries in Australia, but they are popping up around the place. Look out for them on your next beach trip. You may be surprised just how common they are becoming at popular beach spots for families.

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WRITTEN BY: Dani Smith (Volunteer Blog Writer)

Beach Toy Library Locations

Swansea, TAS

Park Beach, Dodges Ferry, TAS

Bicheno, TAS

Sisters Beach, TAS

Batemans Bay, NSW

Broulee, NSW

Kiama, NSW

Kiama Downs, NSW

Narooma, NSW