Choosing toys at the Bloggers Toy Swap

Question: Have you ever wanted to get rid of your old toys (without contributing to landfills) and get new ones (without paying money)?
If you are like most parents, your answer is “YES!”

Answer: Go to or start a Toy Swap!

Mommy Poppins and I had two Toy Swaps this weekend to help parents exchange toys. Both events were at Kidville locations: Park Slope and the Upper West Side. There were some key ingredients to the success of our Bloggers Toy Swap:

1. We had many people who wanted to come (and long waiting lists) who brought oodles of toys to swap.
2. The kids had incredible gyms to play in at Kidville. They jumped on the trampolines, whizzed on the zip line, swung from rings and rolled in huge mattress donuts. They were totally entertained.
3. The kids also had a blast hanging out in the “swap room”. They tried out toys, playing with them and each other. I think a lot of them made new friends. (My son fell in love a few times even!)
4. There were healthy snacks and beverages. Everything was donated by Fresh Direct and Susie’s Supper Club and the food was gobbled down which kept the kids and parents energized.
5. There were also crafts for kids who didn’t want to play in the gym. Nearly every child took home a picture frame or two that they had made with the help of Kidville‘s staff.
6. Our “entrance fee” was an unwrapped gift for our Toy Drive, so that other kids could benefit too.

At the end of the day, all the unclaimed toys, donated toys and extra food were donated to Seneca Houses, temporary housing for homeless families in the Bronx. When the woman came from the shelter to pick up the toys, she was thrilled. There were plenty of swap toys left over for the shelter: music tables, growth charts, board games, play-doh and dress-up clothing. And, of course, the new, donated toys too! Mommy Poppins and I couldn’t have been happier. Everyone went home with a toy that they would cherish until the next Toy Swap comes around.

Gingerbread Men photo frames

At Kidville on the UWS

At the "Big Kid" table

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