A fun way for children and families to swap pre-loved toys & find Christmas gifts, engage in play, and learn about sustainability practices

Welcome to The Toy Library (https://www.thetoylibrary.ie/) Circular Christmas Swap and Play event in Cork.

The perfect occasion to have a great time with your family, swapping toys and having fun, while making a difference for your wallet and the planet.

✨ Want to get involved? Get yourself a Helper Volunteer ticket and join the incredible Librarians making Swap&Play events an unforgettable experience for children and adults alike 🫶

We all know: the holiday season often leads to excessive consumption and waste. However, many toys are so gently used that they still look new by the time their owner outgrows them. Others are still in good and fully working conditions that can make a perfect gift for another child. This year, share and find pre-loved toys at this free community-driven event, sponsored by Cork City Council.

Join us at the Millennium Hall, Cork City on November 29th (11 AM - 2 PM). This family-friendly event features eco-friendly activities, sustainable swaps, and creative fun to help reimagine how we consume and play.

The event is open to everyone and completely free to attend. Recommended for ages 8 and under.

The Toy Library is a community of conscious families, proud parents, and happy children taking action for their future by freely recirculating toys instead of buying newly produced ones. Join at www.thetoylibrary.ie (https://www.thetoylibrary.ie/signup).

What to Expect at the Event

🌟 Toy Swap and Play – Bring up to 5 toys in good condition (no broken or incomplete items) to donate or swap. Didn’t bring toys? That’s okay—feel free to take home any that catch your eye!

🚂 Play Area – Children can have fun discovering all the available toys, and play with them in the dedicated area! If they found something they like, they're free to bring it home.

✨ Christmas-themed Eco-Crafting Corner Let your creativity shine with sustainable craft activities for all ages, using upcycled and eco-friendly materials.

🦄 Temporary Tattoos Enjoy eco-friendly, plastic-free, non-toxic, and vegan temporary tattoos—perfect for little ones and grown-ups alike!

🧸 Teddy Bear Hub Bring your teddy for a check-up and cuddles prescription.

🎄 Christmas Wishing Tree Kids can write their wishes for a healthier planet on pieces of card with twine and hang them on our Eco-Wish Christmas Tree. Together, we’ll create a beautiful display of hope and sustainability for the future.

🍪 Christmas Cookies Enjoy delicious cookies.

How Does the Toy Swap Work?

Bring up to 5 toys (max) in very good condition. Something you'd be happy to offer to your own kids.

You don’t need to donate in order to take—everyone is welcome to participate!

Leftover toys will be donated to local charities and libraries.

About Toys

Please no extra-small or extra-large items. Those can be shared via The Toy Library digital platform (https://www.thetoylibrary.ie/).

Only clean, fully functional, and complete items will be allowed.

Have doubts? Think about a toy you’d be happy for your child to get

Event Details

📍 Location: Millennium Hall, Eglinton St, Ballintemple, VGWM+VX Cork, Ireland

🗓️ Date: Sunday 29th November, 2026

⏰ Time: 11AM - 2PM

Who We Are: The Toy Library

The Toy Library is Ireland’s first circular economy platform for toys, freely available 24/7 at www.thetoylibrary.ie (https://www.thetoylibrary.ie/). The social enterprise launched in June 2024 in Cork and today, together with Local Authorities and conscious corporations, we are bringing our signature Swap&Play events (https://www.thetoylibrary.ie/p/events) all over the Republic of Ireland!

Local Partner for this Event:

Cork City Council

Other Local Authority Partners:

Clare County Council

Dublin City Council

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council

Fingal County Council

Kildare County Council

Laois County Council

Leitrim County Council

Limerick City and County Council

Meath County Council

Offaly County Council

Waterford City and County Council

Westmeath County Council

Wexford County Council

Local Development & Community Partners:

CESCA (Cork Equal and Sustainable Communities Alliance)

Cork City Partnership CLG

Donegal Local Development CLG

Dublin South City Partnership

Louth Local Development

Sligo LEADER Partnership

Funders, Programme & Enterprise Support:

Advance CRT (funded by SFI)

Community Foundation Ireland

Rethink Ireland – SEFIT Fund 2024

Rethink Ireland – Impact Fund for Munster 2025

Cork Local Enterprise Office

Corporate & Institutional Partners:

Guinness Enterprise Centre

ODEON Cinemas

Prism LCC

Sharetribe

University College Cork

Workday Ltd

Our mission is to make sustainable toy-sharing accessible to everyone while reducing waste and fostering a positive environmental impact.

🌐 Learn more at www.thetoylibrary.ie (http://www.thetoylibrary.ie/)

Description supplied by the event organiser.