Toy-sharing subscriptions are gaining in popularity

It may be hard to believe, but the time is quickly coming where your kids will come down from their holiday high and utter those dreaded words, “I’m bored!” Of course, you’re going to want to rip your hair out because you might still be paying off bills from all the toys you showered upon them. But, before you do, we found an idea to bust those boredom blues that could save your sanity and save you some money in the process.

If you don’t want to add more toys or games to your kids’ permanent collection, but want to change up their selection a little, consider a toy-sharing subscription. These services are grabbing parents’ attention, with searches on Pinterest reportedly jumping 313 percent in 2018, making it a top-100 “Pin Pick” for 2019.

So, what’s all the fuss about?

How It Works

Toy-sharing subscriptions allow families to borrow toys for a limited time and then return them. Think of it as a lending library, but instead of books, the kids get toys. And, the best part is that if your child falls in love with a particular toy, most services have an option to buy it.

Those parents concerned about sanitary issues will be relieved to know that each of these companies has a strict cleaning and sanitizing procedure for returned toys. That way, you know the toy your child received is germ-free and ready to for fun.

Toy-subscription services offer a variety of benefits for families, including:

• Having your child try out a toy first before buying it. There’s nothing worse than buying a toy that sits on a shelf gathering dust.
• Spending less money overall, because renting toys cost less than buying new ones.
• Finding the best toys for your child’s age is easy; usually a simple search on the toy-subscription website.
• Throwing away fewer toys due to lack of use.

Interested in trying out a toy subscription service? Here are a few websites to check out to see which one might be a match made in toy heaven.

Toy Library

With plans starting at just $19.95, Toy Library offers families choices from more than 500 toys from companies like K’Nex, Hot Wheels, Disney, American Girl and more. Toy selections can be personalized for each child based on age, interest, ability level and more.

KiwiCo

Have kids who love creating things or tinkering with science toys? Then you might want to take a look at KiwiCo. Each subscription package is age-appropriate and comes with a project, easy-to-follow instructions, a magazine and online DIY ideas. Prices start at $19.95 per month for monthly subscription boxes.

Green Piñata Toys

Green Piñata Toys focuses on younger children (up to age 5.) With hundreds of toys, including wooden blocks, puzzles, shape sorters and more classic choices, your baby or preschooler can have hours of fun with up to four new toys each month in the subscription box. Green Piñata Toys has a set price of $24.99 and shipping is free.

Seems like a great way to save some money and let your kid try all kinds of new toys. Would you consider signing up for something like this?