Cotlands, a well-known advocate for early childhood development, is excited to introduce the Toys2Rent Project, a subscription-based educational toy rental service aimed at promoting early learning, environmental responsibility, and family connections. This innovative project, an expansion of Cotlands’ existing efforts in play-based early learning, offers a unique and eco-conscious approach to supporting parents and caregivers in fostering the potential of every child through play.
The Toys2Rent Project allows parents and caregivers to access carefully curated toy boxes filled with high-quality, age-appropriate educational toys and play guides. Each toy box is designed to promote holistic skill development, combining fun with a focus on essential skills such as social-emotional awareness, critical thinking, and problem-solving. By providing children with a variety of toys tailored for continuous learning, Toys2Rent empowers parents to facilitate learning through play while minimizing the need to purchase and store toys.
In line with sustainable practices, the Toys2Rent Project is environmentally conscious. By reusing toys across multiple households, resources are conserved, aligning with principles of the circular economy. Additionally, efforts to minimize carbon footprints, such as reusing packaging for returns and optimizing courier schedules to reduce emissions, further contribute to environmental sustainability. This approach not only allows children and families to enjoy the benefits of learning through play but also promotes environmental awareness, setting a new standard for sustainable toy consumption.
Inspired by Cotlands’ successful Toy Library Programmes, Toys2Rent was developed based on feedback from parents who witnessed the transformative impact of play-based learning on their children. This initiative, driven by a firm belief in the importance of early childhood play, operates as a social enterprise that supports Cotlands’ mission of nurturing children’s development. Each subscription to Toys2Rent directly contributes to Cotlands’ non-profit initiatives, helping create a brighter future for South African children.
Through donor support and collaborative partnerships, Cotlands continues to expand access to early learning resources, striving to build a more inclusive society where all children have the opportunity to thrive. The programme aims to enhance school readiness by equipping young learners with essential skills for academic and life success, including creativity, emotional intelligence, and cognitive growth.
Parents and caregivers can participate in this impactful initiative by following four simple steps: subscribe, receive, play, and repeat. Each month, a new toy box is delivered, complete with play guides for exploration and enjoyment. After the play period, the toy box can be returned in exchange for a fresh one, promoting a clutter-free environment and offering ongoing developmental opportunities for children.
With 88 years of experience in supporting children and families, Cotlands continues to lead the way in early childhood development. As the organization approaches its centennial milestone, the Toys2Rent Project represents another significant step towards making early childhood development accessible, enjoyable, and environmentally friendly.
For more information on the Cotlands Toys2Rent Project or to subscribe, please visit the Cotlands Website. Each box is available for rent at the price of R399 per month, with options for one-time, 1-3 month packages that include a free box for January 2025, as well as discounts of up to 20% for longer-term packages.
