This is a sponsored post that includes affiliate links! I received payment for sharing this information and I would receive payment if you make a purchase after clicking on certain links, but this in no way influenced my opinion!

The other day, I overheard someone say with relief, “Thank goodness spring is here. Now, I can get rid of my family’s belongings.” I felt sad thinking about clearing out the house for three reasons. First, there is so much waste in the world, and so often, those who need the items most will not receive them. Next, usually, toys get loved so much, that they aren’t in the best condition to donate. Finally, did you know that according to Mercola, only 4% of the world’s children live in America, and they make up 40% of the world’s population who buy and toss toys? With Earth Day coming up, it’s an excellent time to consider a few eco-friendly alternatives to buying new toys.

How to Have a Fun and Eco-Friendly Earth Day

1.) Shop for pre-owned toys.

Spring is an excellent time to spot some awesome pre-owned toys, while teaching about the value of reusing items. One person’s spring cleaning trash is another person’s favorite treasure. Last year, I took Samantha to my community’s yard sale. She used her small allowance to buy one item. The unicorn she picked out has become a well-loved item in our home that regularly joins her in her imaginary unicorn school. Even though another girl was ready to toss this toy, Samantha has given the toy a wonderful new home. Visiting a yard sale or consignment shop is an educational, fun activity for Earth Day.

2.) Create toys out of household items.

Upcycle your old items to make new toys. For example, I have plenty of old ribbons as well as the round parts of old stacking toys from when Georgiana was younger. These two items are all you need to make dancing ribbons! Since my daughters both love to dance, they would love seeing their old toy used in a new way. Another fun idea is to take an old Altoid container and turn it into a bed for small stuffed animals. These are good ideas for kids who can’t bear to part with their old belongings. Commemorate Earth Day, and create a new toy.

3. Sign up for a toy rental company.

Rent new toys each month, and return the toys that start to clutter your house. With toy rental company Pley, you can rent the coolest toys, including Lego, American Girl, and more! Your kids can experience a new toy. When the toy loses your kids’ interest, you can send it back to the company. Renting toys is environmentally friendly, and it teaches kids a great lesson about waste prevention.

How to Have a Fun and Eco-Friendly Earth Day - Theresa's Reviews - www.theresasreviews.com

This is an especially useful model for trying out toys to see how much your children like them. If your child falls in love with one of the toys, you can pay to keep it. You could also return the toy and buy it new from a store. Either way, you’re making a more informed choice before you make a purchase. Check out this infographic to learn more about how renting toys works.

How to Have a Fun and Eco-Friendly Earth Day - Theresa's Reviews - www.theresasreviews.com

Here’s some additional information directly from the company:

Pley is the leading toy rental company. It’s like an online toy library. Kids play with the coolest educational toys and parents save money, reduce clutter and help the environment. Kids pick a toy and it gets directly delivered to their door with free shipping.  Once kids have finished playing with their toy, they can simply swap it out for a different one. No more wasting money on toys that are left gathering dust on your shelves. Rent LEGO to American Girl, drones, preschool and more. Pley is constantly adding new toys.

What is your favorite way to celebrate Earth Day? Share your ideas in the comments section!

Disclosure

This is a sponsored post that includes affiliate links! I received payment for sharing this information and I would receive payment if you make a purchase after clicking on certain links, but this in no way influenced my opinion!

About The Author

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Theresa has been writing since 2010 in magazines and online. Her lifestyle and parenting expertise has been featured in publications, including ShopSmart and Scholastic. She earned an M.Ed in Elementary Education from Vanderbilt as well as a BA in History from Flagler College, and she is a certified teacher.

48 Responses

  2. Elizabeth

    If only my kiddos weren’t still in the attachment to toys age!

    Reply
  3. Jenny

    I had no idea there was a toy rental company. That is a neat concept. Many of my kids toys have sentimental value but some are definitely the type that could be rented and exchanged. Cool idea.

    Reply
  4. Bev

    This is such a cool concept! I know my daughter often quickly loses interest in toys, with the exception of her dolls & stuffed animals. We buy most of her toys used, but it would be cool to also rent toys. We live in a small condo so this would be perfect!

    Reply
  5. Meg @EveryMomDay

    My old community used to have a Toy Library – which was a lot like the subscription service you described! It’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Debbie

    Interesting concept. I’ve seen this kind of idea with just Legos so it’s neat to see a company that will let you borrow toys in general. Great idea!

    Reply
  7. Tamara

    I’ve never heard of a toy rental company before. Such a great idea.

    Reply
  8. Inez

    I love the toy rental idea! I didn’t even know there was such a thing. I really try to keep my son’s toy collection down but I still feel like he has SO much! I also have made him sensory toys. I’m thinking about what other toys I could make.

    Reply
  9. David

    This is must read for more people, because it’s such a great post and really it’s a great concept. We need to save the environment, great way to celebrate earth day.

    Reply
  10. Florence

    This is such a great concept !
    There is so much waste in the world and it’s right, we shouldn’t give away what could be used – reused and re-reused!
    Never heard about Pley before. Does it exist worldwide?

    Reply
  12. Joanna

    I think shopping for pre-owned toys is a very good idea. I use ebay a lot to sell the used toys of a friend of mine, from his children, and they are always in very good conditions. It’s a shame to throw them away.

    Reply
  13. Kristyn Schultz

    I have never heard of Pley before! I will defintely have to look into that. Thankfully, my mother-in-law is obsessed with yard and estate sales, so she is always on the hunt for us. When I see how much things actually cost in the store, I can’t imagine who is willing to pay that much! Especially when each child reacts to toys differently. I’d hate to pay so much for something our son would wind up ignoring. Thanks for the information!!

    Reply
  15. ROBERT LEE

    It’s a good habit to think before buying toys. Yes, children play with toys only for a short period of time mostly.

    I can see the logic of buying second hand toys or renting, however this has to be done really carefully. I think my only concern is how clean it is and only for toys that parents can personally clean before letting kids touch.

    Reply
  18. Beverley Golden

    Absolutely love the message you are sharing in this post! When I went to donate my daughter’s stuffed animals, I was also told that even gently used toys might not find a home for many reasons, including fear of germs etc. Pley sounds like a perfect option for parents to let their kids try out new toys, knowing that they are serving the environment, while giving their children the opportunity to experience new toys each time they are ready! Great idea and one that is sure to catch on. It saves money, the environment and opens up so many new options for parents and kids. Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
  19. Shann Eva

    So cool! I’ve not heard about toy rental companies before. My boys play with things, then get bored and never play with them again. This would be perfect. Great idea and great review!

    Reply
  20. Pink Pepper Paradise

    I have no idea that there are toy renting companies!!?? Such a great idea! You can rend always something new and the kids don’t get bored of their old toys.

    Reply
  22. andria

    A toy rental company, that is amazing! I have never heard of one before. While we have a decent amount of toys, we don’t have a lot and I will be for sure donating them or giving them away when we are done.

    Reply
  23. Michele

    I have to admit in all my 66 years I have never heard of renting toys before! It is actually a very good idea.

    Reply
  24. Eugenia

    Upcycle your old items to create new toys is a great idea! I’ve never heard of a toy rental company before, really cool concept!

    Reply
  25. Tara Berries

    Earth Day is so much fun. I love reading “Something From Nothing” to my students and have them create art from recyclable items.

    Reply
  26. Amy Scott

    I love anything to do with getting kiddos involved with and aware of earth day! I have never thought of it but toy rental? Awesome! How great is that for those toys they lose interested in in ten minutes but cost a darn fortune!

    Reply
  27. Justine Y @ Little Dove

    This is so neat, and I totally agree that kids have too much stuff and there is too much waste. After seeing some of my friend’s houses, I am not surprised by the statistic about how many children are in the US and how many of the toys we have, at all.

    Reply
  28. The Practical Saver

    I prefer to not buy toys for my daughter. I always love to create mechanical toys for my kid. I don’t find the need buy her toys. Even with second hand toys, I don’t usually buy her just because she’s fickle-minded, which is basically almost all the kids.

    Reply
  30. Erin | A Welder's Wife

    I love these ideas! I don’t have children yet, but our friends always bring over their two year old son when they come to visit. I’ve never seen a kid so happy to play with rocks, or find something long and call it a sword. Sometimes it’s the simple things in life.

    Reply
  31. Alison

    Those are great ideas. I love the idea of using a toy rental. I find my kids like toys for a while and then they get sick of them. That way you don’t have to store toys your kids won’t play with anymore and can get the right toys for them to play with. I find great toys at secondhand shops for my kids!

    Reply
  33. Bernadette Callahan

    I have looked into toy renting before, it seemed like such a good idea. I have never used a toy swaplike service but I know friends that do and they love it.

    Reply
  34. Valerie Robinson

    Yes to all of these. We pass a lot of things down in my family. We also repurpose old furniture.

    Reply
  35. KRYSTLE COOK

    If my kids will use pre owned toys all the better. It saves money in my pocket. I love the idea of renting toys especially since they only like things for so long.

    Reply
  38. Ana

    Toys rental sounds interesting. I think it will help parents a lot to get rid of old toys. Thanks for sharing the review.

    Reply
  39. Ana De- Jesus

    I actually really like the idea of a toy rental company especially if you don’t have a lot of space but your children want to play with the latest toys and you can’t afford to buy them.

    Reply
  40. Ave

    We tend to buy pre-owned toys and books instead of new ones. We also take all my daughter’s toys she is not using anymore to different consignment shops or give them to people who we know. Have to check out the possibility to rent toys. Sounds really interesting.

    Reply
  41. Lily from LilyDaily.com

    I’ve never heard of rent-a-toy companies before, such an interesting concept. Kids do love new toys but get tired of them so easily. This idea WILL help save lots of money and the environment too!

    Reply
  43. Annemarie LeBlanc

    I think this is a cool idea. Kids outgrow their toys quickly, which means we always have to get them new age appropriate ones. Renting toys would be the best solution to help parents save some money.

    Reply
  44. Laura H

    Plex seems like a fantastic idea! Kids get so bored of toys so quickly and this would solve that problem. I’d just be worried about breaking the toys before I had to send them back!

    Reply
  45. Idaintyit

    Some good ideas, I got quite a few of L’s toys from the charity or second hand shops when he was younger as they can be washed but now that he is older he is wanting specific things with you never seem to find anywhere

    Reply

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