Play It Forward: Toy Kits Are Now Available for Check Out at Miami-Dade Library

Cover photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by: Stephen Pakbaz | Flickr

Miami-Dade library cardholders can now explore a collection of toy kits designed to boost problem-solving, cognitive, and language skills in children through music and play, an email release from the Miami-Dade Public Library System states.

According to the Miami-Dade Public Library System's website, parents and children can now browse a public toy library and choose from a variety of options that cater to diverse interests and developmental stages. Kits include items such as dolls and dollhouses, action figures, animals, dinosaurs, musical instruments, construction, doctor, and kitchen playsets as well as sensory-sensitive toys, among many others.

So how does it work?

The toy kits are available for checkout by library cardholders at the Main Library, located at 101 West Flagler Street in Miami. Each kit is curated with age-appropriate toys for children in three age groups: 2 years old and younger, 3 to 6 years old and 7 to 9 years old. Toy kits can be borrowed for up to 30 days and then be conveniently returned to any library location in the county.

The innovative collection, a collaboration between The Miami-Dade Public Library System and Play It Forward South Florida, strives to make playtime accessible and enriching for all children throughout Miami-Dade County.

According to Play It Forward South Florida's mission statement, the toy library also aims to allow for families to decrease waste from toys by sharing them instead — their library made-up of both new and donated items.

Play It Forward South Florida is a volunteer-driven organization; those hoping to donate gently-used toys, or monetarily, to its mission are encouraged to visit their website here.

To learn more about the Play it Forward Toy Library and view kits available for checkout, visit www.mdpls.org/toy-library.
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Article by Rachael Volpe