UPDATED: New podcast series and free resources to help Australian families of children with disabilities discover the power of everyday play

What impact do toys and play have on the development of young minds, and how can we ‘play well’ to help children develop physical, cognitive and social skills – and have fun?  

A new five-part podcast series launching today explores all the ways modern toy libraries can support families and children, diving into topics like ‘playing with purpose’, sustainable play and the importance of affordable access to high quality toys. Created by Toy Libraries Australia in collaboration with leading health professionals, The Toy Library Effect is accompanied by Play at Home, a collection of seven free resources filled with simple, low-pressure ideas to help families connect and learn through play. All seven resources are available from launch.  

Designed as a vital referral tool for allied health professionals and parents, this initiative highlights how modern toy libraries provide families with the practical, affordable support needed to nurture child development in their everyday lives. Today there are 400 toy libraries across Australia supporting over 80,000 children. A small number of specialist disability toy libraries exist, but most toy libraries are mainstream services that inclusively support all families in their community. 

For occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and physiotherapists, a one-hour clinical session is only a fraction of a child's learning journey. To truly thrive, children need opportunities to practice and build cognitive skills naturally in the comfort of their living rooms. 

Research has found that children playing with traditional toys, such as the blocks, puzzles and shape sorters common in toy libraries, developed stronger language skills than children given electronic versions of similar toys, and that parents used richer spatial language when playing with physical toys rather than digital ones. 

Closer to home, nearly a quarter of Australian families have never heard of a toy library, and many who do use one say they wish they'd discovered it sooner.  

For families navigating a child's disability or developmental delay, toy libraries offer a safe and inclusive space where they can try different toys and work out what genuinely suits their child. That makes a toy library a practical, affordable extension of the other developmental supports families already draw on. More than 50,000 Australian families and 80,00 children access toy libraries every year, with membership fees as low as $2 a week. These libraries generate $95.1 million in social value nationally, a return of $4.22 for every dollar invested, with 67% of that value experienced directly by the children. TLA’s own Disability Access, Inclusion and Support (DAIS) program works with nine pilot toy libraries nationally to build more accessible and inclusive play practices for children with developmental delays.  
 
"Toy libraries have quietly supported Australian families for generations, but a lot of people still don't know we exist, or think we're not for them," said Michelle Loft, Inclusion Manager at Toy Libraries Australia. "This podcast is about changing that. We want families to see themselves in these stories and feel confident walking through the door." 
 
“Play is a crucial component of building executive functioning in children, like building language skills, sensory regulation, communication and confidence”, she added.  
 
TLA’s new digital offerings include:
 

The Podcast: The Toy Library Effect 

A 5-episode series featuring honest conversations with parents, disability advocates, dedicated toy librarians, and leading allied health professionals. 

The podcasts discover what modern toy libraries actually look like, how they support children with developmental delay and disability through child-led play, how to create inclusive play environments for every child, and using toy libraries to continue therapy-informed play at home. 

The Resources: Play at Home 

A collection of practical articles and downloadable PDFs designed to help families build confidence and support children’s learning and development through everyday play at home. The seven resources explore topics including toy rotation, sibling play and teamwork, sensory play, early communication, fine and gross motor development, and flexible, strengths-based approaches for neurodivergent children. 

Listen to The Toy Library Effect: www.toylibraries.org.au/blog/categories/podcast  

Access the free Play at Home resources: www.toylibraries.org.au/for-families  

THE TOY LIBRARY EFFECT: EPISODES AND GUESTS 

The five-part podcast will launch on 29 July 2026, with a new episode released each week. 

Episode 1: What is a Toy Library? 

Guests: Louise Bell, Toy Libraries Australia, and Renae Barker, Chair of the Toy Libraries Australia Board 

An introduction to the modern toy library and the role these community spaces play in helping families save money, reduce waste, support children’s development and connect with others. 

Episode 2: Supporting Children with Developmental Delay and Disability Through Play 

Guests: Karen Dimmock, Advocating for Children with Disability (ACD); Kerry Dominish, Early Ed CEO; Tofu Naitoko, Springvale Toy Library; and Danni Menzies, Grovedale Toy Library and member of TLA National Disability Leaders Group

Parents, advocates and professionals explore how affordable, flexible play can support child-led development, reduce pressure on families and create opportunities for connection. 

Episode 3: Toy Libraries as an Extension of Therapy 

Guests: Cassie Doyle, OT at CPEC, Cerebral Palsy Education Centre; Nicole Pates, Western Kids Health; Alice Crook, Ocean Grove Speech Pathology; Dr Kate Renshaw, Play therapist @dr.katerenshaw; and Brian Hoare, OT Monash Hospital and CPTherapy 

Allied health professionals discuss playing with purpose, supporting developmental goals through everyday play and helping families continue therapy-informed play at home. 

Episode 4: Inclusive Play for Every Child 

Guests: Cassie Doyle, OT at CPEC, Cerebral Palsy Education Centre; Alice Crook, s Ocean Grove Speech Pathology; Nicole Pates, Western Kids Health; and Dr Kate Renshaw, play therapist

Practical examples show how toys can encourage communication, movement, sensory regulation, participation and confidence for children with diverse developmental needs. 

Episode 5: Inside Australia’s Toy Libraries 

Guests: Toy librarians and volunteers from toy libraries across Australia 

An inside look at how toy libraries operate, the people who make them welcoming community spaces, and the work underway to make their collections and services increasingly inclusive. 

*An earlier version of this release contained spelling errors. These errors have now been fixed. A brief outline of each episode has also been provided.