Have you ever made something for your children to play with?

Did your parents or grandparents have a great idea for a plaything or game that didn’t cost the earth?

We’d love to hear about it!

Toys can be expensive and many families just can’t afford to keep buying new ones, that’s why the Toy Library was set up 30 years ago.

However there are also many ways to make playthings, fun activities and games for next to nothing. Children have been playing for a very long time before there were mass produced toys.

Do you have an example of something you’ve made or used for children to play with using everyday items or your local environment?

Whether you’re a child, parent or grandparent – or if it’s something from last week or 50 years ago, why not share your idea with us?

Some common ideas are making sock puppets, threading pasta necklaces, cars made of big cardboard boxes, hopscotch, walking along without stepping on the cracks in the pavement……. We know there are thousands of others and want as many as possible.

If you have an example to share with us, please tell us in the ‘Leave a reply’ box below or send your ideas and pictures to ideas@toy-library.co.uk