Every child loves new toys but often the novelty wears off quickly and the time as a favourite plaything is short.

To help reduce the environmental impact of unloved toys ending up in landfill and bring the community together, Coltman Plaza in Lucas has established a toy and book exchange on the second Wednesday of every month.

Families can bring in unloved toys and books and swap them for something new. The toy and book exchange program not only helps parents save money, it’s good for our environment.

Children will have something new to play and read, which is important in stimulating a child’s imagination.

Coltman Plaza Lucas, hoped the program would play a part in slowing down the manufacturing of new materials like plastic, curbing waste and helping the environment as well as help build stronger ties within the community and allow parents to connect and build friendships in a similar way to mothers’ groups.

The toy and book exchange on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:30am to 11:00am, will coincide with a free Lucas Kids’ Club at the centre.

April’s activity is: Plaster Painting and Bead It Bar