There is heightened demand for parents wanting to rent before buying toys for their children in a bid to save money and cut down on household waste, a craftswoman has said.
As the festive shopping season begins, Vicky Noble said she was inspired to set up an eco-friendly enterprise in Ireland after seeing the success of a similar initiative in Australia.
Dlulukaloo Wooden Toys will be presented to a national audience when she exhibits at Gifted, the country’s biggest craft and design fair.
Ms Noble, from Greystones, Co Wicklow, said: “Renting is an option that makes sense for parents for many reasons, but one that resonates with both myself as a parent and many others is try before you buy.
“For a kid’s birthday party, for example, you could get five great pieces to make a fuss of them on the day, and then keep the one or two pieces they really love to play with – saving money and reducing clutter, as well as making an eco-conscious choice.
A rental bundle by Dlulukaloo Wooden Toys (Sharon Smith/PA)
“This also makes sense with big-ticket pieces such as balance boards and climbing frames, with parents able to gauge their child’s interest before committing to the cost.”
Parents can rent toys for a month, paying a security deposit equal to its value, which is refunded at the end of the rental, and a rental fee.
Should they decide to keep the toy, the rental fee is refunded.
Ms Noble said Montessori rockers and balance boards to increase co-ordination, along with ride-ons and spinning drums, are the top “try before you buy” gifts being ordered by parents in Ireland.
Before setting up the enterprise, she reached out to online parenting groups in an effort to recreate the second-hand toy market she witnessed while in Australia.
When she suggested renting out a balance board for children, she found an immediate queue of interested parents.
This was the inspiration for founding the Dlulukaloo company – named in reference to her eldest daughter’s baby-talk.
It has now been chosen to participate in the “reuzi loves” section – a sustainable gift area – at Gifted, where 300 exhibitors will showcase their work across five days.
– More details on Gifted’s run at Dublin’s RDS between December 4 and 8 are available on giftedfair.ie