Our Story

In the spring of 2009, we (Sara & Dug Steen) were living in Wellington, NZ with our three girls (ages 2, 8, and 14). There were, of course, many impressive things to see and do in New Zealand, but one that made a particular, lasting impression was the local toy library. It was a godsend.

 

Each week or so we would return to browse and bring home toys and games; our girls enjoying their haul of new playthings until the fun wore off (which, as any parent can tell you, often doesn’t take long), at which point we’d head back and start again. It was a fantastic resource, and something we felt should be available for any family. We resolved then and there to implement something similar once we returned home to the States.

 

We did almost nothing about it for almost 15 years after that sabbatical, but some ideas just can’t be forgotten. In 2022, we began talking to other folks about putting together a toy, game, and puzzle library here in Fort Collins.

 

We started to gather lists of interested people, talked up the idea among friends and neighbors, and started looking for a location. In January of 2023, we pulled together a board of directors and formed a non-profit organization (creatively named The Toy, Game, and Puzzle Library). And finally, in May of 2023 we found a location we could use for free, thanks to the good people of the Foothills Mall.

Interested in the nuts & bolts of our non-profit organization? Our by-laws, board, and such?

You can find all that on our official documents page.

What we offer

All members of our community are welcome to come play and check out toys, board games, and puzzles at our location in the Foothills Mall. Here’s how it works:

  • Sign up for a free TGP library account
  • Check out up to three items for three weeks
  • If you want, you can also donate a toy, game, or puzzle (optional)

Where (and when) to find us

We have an awesome new location in the Foothills mall: northeast side, across from the Foothills Activity Center! Stop by, play a game, or check out toys, board games, and puzzles donated by the community.

Open hours:
  • Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Mondays: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Note that we plan to expand our open hours in the future as we grow our volunteer team – so keep checking back for updates!

Our plans for the future

Our mission is to “promote the value of social play for all ages in our local community,” and there are plenty of other ways we could fulfill that mission. Here are a few others that have come up during our brainstorming sessions:

  • Loaning toys, games and puzzles out to Family Housing Network, or other programs that provide day programs for unhoused families.
  • Donating toys, games and puzzles to newly housed families, in addition to the donated housewares they normally receive.
  • Creating community events that bring people of different backgrounds together over puzzles and games.
  • Being an expert resource for children and adults looking for a suitable toy, puzzle or game.

What would you add? Do you have ideas that fit our mission? Are you interested in helping us out? Sign up here.