The Nest Toy Library recently launched a new initiative in hopes of being able to serve more of the children in Laramie. The “Pay What You Can” program was formulated to help financially support families in Laramie who may not be able to afford the full cost of a membership. 

The Nest Toy Library was opened last year and aims to provide quality toys to children primarily aged 0-5, although many toys are appropriate for older kids as well. It is currently operating as a pick up and drop off only business, which means that members browse and reserve toys online and then complete a no-contact pick up. The business was opened partly due to the need for more things for kids and families to do together while we are all spending more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Membership with a toy library is also a great way to cut down on waste, save money, and teach your kids the value of taking great care of things. “I love that this has given my kids new activities and toys to explore without needing to buy more stuff,” says Carrie Murthy, who is a member of The Nest and has kids aged 9 and 5. “And during the pandemic, when there are limited opportunities for playdates and extracurricular activities, it’s been really wonderful to have The Nest Toy Library toy swap days to  look forward to!” 

The Nest also offers “Ways to Play” cards with many of the toys in their catalog. These cards are filled with valuable information for parents about how best to use that specific toy and why that toy is valuable to their child’s development.

It has been an incredibly hard year for many people in Laramie, so the “Pay What You Can” program aims to fill the gaps for people who may not be able to invest enough to cover a monthly membership. Funding is limited, so this program is intended to supplement whatever members can pay on their own, which will allow the program to benefit as many kids as possible. This initiative allows members to check out three toys at a time, and switch them out for new toys on any of the 2-3 “Swap Days” that The Nest has scheduled each week. Members typically check toys out for 7-14 days. 

If you or someone you know may be interested in participating in the “Pay What You Can” program, please email thenestlaramie@gmail.com. To find more information about The Nest visit their website thenesttoylibrary.com.