Derbyshire's toy-sharing charity · est. 2000

The greener, cheaper way to play

Borrow brilliant toys from 50p a week, meet other families at our Stay & Play mornings across Derbyshire, and give pre-loved toys a second life. Less clutter, less landfill, more play.

100% recommended by families on Facebook

A toddler sitting on a playmat surrounded by soft toys, puzzles and wooden animals
A child stacking colourful wooden blocks into a tall tower
1,000+toys to borrow
26 yrsplaying in Derbyshire
1,000+toys in our catalogue
400+active member families
600+Stay & Play sessions since 2021

More than just a toy library

We started as Derbyshire's toy library — but you asked for more. Today DTL is part of the Derbyshire community: families borrowing toys, gathering at Stay & Play mornings, and rehoming pre-loved play at events across the county.

Borrow

A revolving world of toys without the clutter or cost. Browse the catalogue online, reserve, and collect from our Belper toy store — play, swap, return, try the next thing.

from 50p a week Browse the toy catalogue

Stay & Play

Warm, friendly sessions across Derbyshire, run by experienced leaders who've been there themselves. Free play, song time, a hot drink and a welcome — every week, term time.

£4 per child Find your nearest session

Rehome

Be a green hero. Donate outgrown toys, then join our lively monthly virtual toy auctions — quality-checked toys at a fraction of shop prices. Less waste, happier planet.

auctions from 50p Donate toys

Borrowing in three easy steps

Join once, then borrow all year. Most families are signed up and reserving toys in under ten minutes.

1

Join in minutes

Sign up online for £10 a year and unlock the whole catalogue. Bring proof of address to your first collection.

2

Reserve online

Browse 1,000+ toys, pick your favourites and choose a convenient collection time at Strutts, Belper.

3

Collect & play

Pick up locally, enjoy at home, return when you're ready — then borrow something new. Simple, flexible, fun.

Find a Stay & Play near you

Relaxed 90-minute sessions every week in term time, in friendly community spaces across Derbyshire. No need to be a member — reserve your place online, pay when you arrive, and come as you are.

M

Crich

Glebe Field Centre, DE4 5EU

Mondays · 9:30–11:00am

Next: Monday 22 June

Reserve a place
W

Belper

Belper Community Hall, DE56 1BA

Wednesdays · 9:30–11:00am

Next: Wednesday 17 June

Reserve a place
T

Holloway

Florence Nightingale Memorial Hall, DE4 5AY

Thursdays · 9:30–11:00am

Next: Thursday 18 June

Reserve a place

£4 per child payable on arrival (cash or card) · under 6 months free · £1 per extra sibling or adult

Reserving on Eventbrite is free — it just saves your spot. You pay on arrival.

Loved by Derbyshire families

Hundreds of families borrow, play and gather with us every year. Here's what they tell us — in their own words.

It gave me the chance to make "mum friends" and gave me a mood boost when I was overwhelmed and lonely.
Kate, with Felicity (3) & Rowan (1 month) Crich · February 2026
My daughter is very shy, but the toy library has helped build her confidence. Sarah makes even the shy ones feel involved.
Nannette & Violet (16 months) Stay & Play · February 2026
Finding a group which takes toddlers and newborns is impossible. This group is vital for our family.
A Belper parent Belper Community Hall · February 2026
Every town should have a toy library, and every family could benefit from one like we have.
Sarah Stay & Play · February 2026
A real asset to the village that I always tell mum friends about.
Olivia & Josie (17 months) Crich · February 2026
Both myself and my daughter walk through the door and feel like we've come home.
Molly Crich · February 2026
The weekly Stay & Play sessions have become the absolute highlight of our week.
Aleksandr & daughter (2) Belper Community Hall · February 2026
The volunteers create such a welcome and fun environment for the children to play and be themselves.
Sandra & Ollie (1½) Belper · February 2026
It's hard to believe Derbyshire Toy Library is run by volunteers. Keep up the good work!
Sarah Leeson, Childminder Belper Community Hall · February 2026
My child is learning important social and life skills that will help set them up for life.
Emma & Sofia (22 months) Crich · February 2026
£45 per pack

Party Packs

Soft play, ride-ons and games, tailored to your venue and age group. Three ready-made bundles for 0–2, 2–4 and 3–5 year olds — collect Fridays from Strutts, Belper.

Plan a party
£8 per month

Purposeful Play Packs

Curated toy sets for babies 0–12 months, matched to each developmental stage — swap the pack as your baby grows. Tiny Tots to Excited Explorers.

Explore the packs

Upcoming toy auctions

Once a month we run a lively online toy auction in our Facebook group — quality-checked, pre-loved toys at a fraction of shop prices. Bag a bargain, give a toy a second life, and help fund free play across Derbyshire. Pop the dates in your diary and join us over on Facebook.

Join the auctions on Facebook
  • 9 July Thu
  • 6 August Thu
  • 10 September Thu
  • 8 October Thu
  • 5 November Thu
  • 3 December Thu

Questions, answered

How much does it cost to join? +
Membership costs just £10 a year, giving you unlimited access to our lending library. A small borrowing fee — starting from 50p per week — applies per item, making it an affordable way to keep your little ones entertained and learning.
How long can I keep toys? +
Standard hire runs for seven days, but you can easily extend or book ahead for multiple weeks — perfect for longer projects, holidays, or firm favourites!
What if something breaks? +
We take the stress out of accidents. Minor repairs are covered as standard, and we'll always guide you through things if a replacement is ever needed.
Can I borrow toys for a party or event? +
Yes! Our Party Packs include soft play, slides and ride-ons for birthdays or celebrations. Reserve them online or message us to tailor a pack to your space and age group.