OUR MISSION
Our mission at Traveling Toys is to provide free access to high-quality, age-appropriate toys and games that promote play. By establishing toy lending libraries and play spaces, we seek to enhance the development, creativity, and learning of children and teens, regardless of family income.
Our vision is for every community to have a toy lending library.
OUR VISION
OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT
We believe these are the positive impacts for our diverse communities:
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Educational: The toy lending library offers opportunities for free play which has been shown to enhance reading, math, and science skills.
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Environmental: Reusing toys promotes conservation of resources within the community.
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Financial: Toy sharing eases the economic burden on families.
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Social: The toy lending library provides a communal space for children and teens to select and share toys.
HOW DO WE MEASURE OUR IMPACT
We measure our success by one thing: How many toys are being played with.
In 2023, our toy lending libraries circulated 22,000 toys and games to children and teens across our communities. That number grew to 70,000 in 2024—a more than threefold increase. In 2025, we shared 113,000 toys and games, expanding access to joy, learning, and play for families across our communities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help us continue to grow this impact and bring the power of play to more children and teens.
100% of your contribution supports our mission to establish and sustain toy lending libraries that serve children, teens, and families through trusted community spaces. These toy lending libraries help ensure that access to play does not depend on family income.
Traveling Toys, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is run entirely by volunteers.
Your gift makes a direct impact:
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$25 provides a new toy, like a Tonka truck, to a toy lending library.
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$50 provides a teen with a Dungeons & Dragons guidebook or snap circuits.
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$100 provides four pretend-play kits, such as doctor or dental kits.
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$250 provides 10 board games that help children and teens learn, connect, and feel a sense of belonging.
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$500 provides a Nintendo Switch and four video games for shared library use.
You can make a gift online by clicking the donate button or by using the QR code. If you would like to donate by check, please reach out to us by email for more details.
Every gift, at every level, helps make this work possible!
Interested in making a larger impact
We would welcome a conversation about how you can support the creation of a complete toy lending library.
“It is a happy talent to know how to play.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson