This place is horrible! The owner is horrible! I've been here twice with my four year old daughter and left pisses off each time. The first time was for a ballet class. Because it was a ballet class none of the kids are allowed to play with any of the toys. Just so you know, it's a freaking toy store, with toys all over the place. After the ballet class is over the horrible, mean, heartless owner tells all the kids that they are not allowed to play with any of the toys laying around, that I'm sure all the kids had their eyes on all through the class. So us six parents, grabbed our crying, confused kids and drug them out of the store, kicking and screaming. Fun times! A few months later I found out there's a story time there, were you can pay $5, to play afterwards. Awesome! We go, and the story time is nice. The lady at the door, asks us if we plan on playing and I happily pay her the $5. When my daughter starts playing with a doll off the shelf, that same demon of a women comes over and tells me all of these toys are not for playtime.... I ask her, what did I pay $5 for then? She tells me that only the toys on the floor, and nothing else is to play with unless you have a membership. Just so you know, the toys on the shelf are not new, or fancy, just old used toys. And there is so many, and so little on the floor. Is this place a joke? Does she hate kids? Is she the devil? I wonder how she will trick next time into bringing my kid into candy shop, where all the candy is made of rocks. Thanks! See you soon! read more

It's 3 pm on a Wednesday and they are closed despite everything online and on their door saying they're open. Very sad kid :(

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR KIDS HERE. This is a fun place to sit and play but I left off 4 stars because of some boys who were dropped off and playing. (Drop off care) They were not supervised. At one point, the boy was running around with a stick. I felt like the inattention of the person there could have injured my child who I was watching like a hawk. read more

Awesome concept! But expensive, poor customer service and it's dirty!! I've been to the Toybrary for free play a few times now and I have a few complaints. First, the shop owner is incredibly moody. One day she is so friendly and inviting and the next, she us snappy and rude. You would think someone in that line of work would be interested in playing with the kids and talking to the moms but she seems to have no interest whatsoever. She just sits on her computer and makes you feel like you are interrupting her if you have a question. When I asked about pricing she didn't even look at me and directed me to a pricing list. Second, the point of going to a place like this is to let your kid play freely with out having to redirect them. The first thing the owner tells you when you walk in is what is off limits. It is stressful for moms with kids who are too young to explain to them what is off limits. How about a barrier, or curtains or ikea closets to put the toys thar can be borrowed out if reach of wondering hands? Also, she also keeps the dust buster and it's cord/charger right where the kids play. Of course, my son wants to play with it! Can't she put it some where out of reach? And third, it is dirty. Places like the Thinkery keep their floors so clean that I don't worry about my son crawling around. After just an hour at the Toybrary my son's pants and hands were filthy. I really like the concept of this shop, especially with summer right around the corner, it will be a good indoor option for free play. There are lots of areas that can be improved upon though. read more

I went to check the Toybrary out and see if I wanted to invest in a membership. I had seen the prices online and it seemed expensive, but I thought that maybe seeing the space and what they had available might change my mind. Going there helped me make my decision. The owner was sitting at the front desk, barely acknowledging me when I walked in. We asked for a tour and got pointed to different parts of the room and told to read signs to answer our questions. While I don't like to be haggled when thinking about buying something, I certainly expect to feel welcomed. The vibe here was definitely not the type of place I would want to bring my child. In addition to the curt treatment, I was disappointed in their toy selection. A decent selection of smaller toys, but nothing larger (jumpers, push toys, tikes, etc) for rent. That's where I feel like I could really save money-with these bigger ticket items. The play area was no more interesting than my own living room...definitely not worth $5 to play. More than anything, the lack of good customer service is what really turned me off. Hope another toy library opens up in my neighborhood soon-love the concept! read more

I'm just not a fan of this place. I have been for 2 events and 1 stay and play. I don't hate it, but definitely don't like it. The events get really crowded and it is hard to move around inside. When staying to play, my son doesn't understand which toys he can play with and which he can't. I spend a lot of time saying, "you can't play with that" and dealing with 3-year old disappointment. The toys that are out for play are not the most exciting so we don't stay long unless he finds a friend. One thing that is slightly irritating is that there is no posted policy on ages for being charged. I also brought my (not yet) 10 month old and was "charged" for her to stay and play. I assumed she would be free like every other place on earth. I said, "you punch for babies?" She said curtly, "she is going to play right? Or are you going to hold her the entire time?" Fortunately, I was gifted a punch pass because I would have refused to pay $5 for my baby to crawl around on their (dirty) floor and occasionally handle a toy. Overall I'm not impressed with the actual place but it is a neat idea. *EDITED to include owners response* I just got this message from the business owner. Apparently, Yelp reviewers are not supposed to voice their opinions on businesses. Hi Jennifer, I remember you being here and I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it. Just wanted you to know that all of my advertising clearly states that Toybrary Austin is for 6 month-5 year olds. Lots and lots of people bring crawling babies here to play and are happy to pay for it. If babies don't play, then I don't charge the parents. That's why I asked you the question, and I apologize if it came across as curt. Each time a new person comes in, I explain what toys are for playing with here and which toys are only to be played with when checked out. There are plenty of fun things to play with in my play area, and babies often play here for 2 hours or more. I would encourage you to talk to any owner of any business directly before posting on Yelp. I always listen to customers and take feedback seriously. Posting negative reviews on Yelp can be very harmful to a business and it's also hurtful to a business owner who is doing their best to provide a great service. read more

Thanks for responding. I understand that it was your opening day and there were tons of people there, but we were there within the first hour that you opened and the toys were already filthy. I was just giving my opinion so that others wouldn't be surprised when they see that most of the toys are very worn and dirty. I'm not the first person to say that either....a few of the other reviews say the same thing. There are actually a lot of places in Austin that are about the same price or less for toddlers (iplay, catch air, hoppin house) that are cleaner and let babies in for free too. I really do like your concept, but with a baby who puts everything in his mouth right now the toys would have to be cleaned better for me to come back. Maybe you could make people take off their shoes and wear socks like a lot of places do and have someone help you clean the toys daily...that would help a ton! read more

The Toybrary is in theory a great idea. However after visiting about three times with my child who is 9 months old we were disappointed in this place. There was food (cheerios) all over the floor and several times I had to pick them up so that my son wouldn't pick them up and put them in his mouth. He is at the developmental stage where he mouths everything and since he crawls on his hands and knees to get around, it's a guarantee that if there is dirt or hair or food on the floor like I saw here, he will get into it. I also didn't feel very welcomed when we walked in. I expected an excited greeting from staff and maybe some interest in my little one, but i really just got that the woman behind the front desk wanted to get her money for our free play time and that she wasn't interested in saying more. I was also pretty put off that when I tried to ask about the toy rental process I was referred to the sign on the desk, she really wouldn't explain more. It's a great space, and with a little more attention to detail and possibly some warm staff this place will go far! read more

Forget the bad reviews and go check it out for yourself! IF for some reason something might not be to your standards say something. This is a public place and not your home. If there is a Cheerio on the ground next to where you are playing do a favor for the mom who dropped it and throw it away. This is a lovely environment where kids and their families can relax, and with that joy is the occasion mess. Like I said, go check it out and take one of the drop in classes that are always going on and decided if this place is for you or not. The colors and decor are bright and welcoming, it is big enough that the kids have room to play, but not so big that you have to get up and keep checking on them. I am grateful I don't have to go to the $1 store to buy dinky plastic toys. Instead I can check-out quality, age appropriate toys that we use and return when we are ready for something else. This is on of the most environmental moves you will make for your child. Another discovery are the toys I would never have purchased for my 3 year old son: lacing beads, kitchen play-sets and the stage with costumes. The combination of classes and activities change weekly. This is one of the brightest spots of our week. You know something good is going on when your child keeps wanting to go back time and time again. Ask for this as a Christmas gift for your child and stop getting crazy huge annoying toys from grandparents! read more

This was a great spot to let our preschool age kids play, socialize with peers, and discover. It was perfect for a hot summer day when play grounds were not an option. read more

I hosted a mom meetup here a week or so ago and absolutely loved it. Liza was very kind and welcoming. I was blown away by how many toys they had for different ages. My 1 year old had an absolute blast. Well be back for sure. read more

It looks like people either love it or hate it, I am in the love it crowd. I really like the pay as you go method, and I've don the punch card option too. My kids love all the different toys, play house and dress up stage. We've been several times. Sometimes there's messes, but not even my daycare cleans at the speed that some of the other moms seem to penalize her for. It's fun, cheap and relaxing. They have chairs for you so sit in and watch your kids play. They always have some sort of event there, like a kids song singer, or give aways, they do drop in babysitting so you can get a date night in every once in a while. read more

I just left this place feeling super frustrated and bummed. We live so close and were excited to potentially have a fun place to go nearby on rainy or super hot days. First impression was that it smelled super bad, kind of like urine. It was very pricey for what was available to us. My kids wanted to play with the toys on the wall, but the owner rudely told us those were off limits. Why make anything off limits? Keep the toys for rent in a separate room or something so that there's no confusion and so that kids don't get upset when they're told they can't play with them. Don't get why anyone would go here. Rude owner, sub par toys and it's expensive. I do not recommend this place at all. read more

So I never leave reviews, but after some of the comments below I just had to say my piece. I've come here on several occasions and Liza has been nothing short of amazing each time. You can truly tell when a business owner does it for the enrichment of the kids. I've never noticed it being excessively dirty, about what you'd expect from kids and parents coming through. Maybe I'm not too concerned about a little dust when my son has eaten the dogs food more than once. Great concept and great for the kids. Keep up the good work read more

I nanny for two babies and this place is our savior. Both kids love it and always have so much fun here. There are So many toys to play with and even an outside play area. The owner is so nice and welcoming and always has different activity's for the kids to participate in! Recommend for anyone with kids or nannies caring for babies! read more

Love this place, especially in Austin when going outside in the summer with your kid isn't always an option. The owner is really sweet and friendly and the toys there are well chosen. I wish it was $5 per visit instead of $7 but hey, I still love it! read more

Yesterday i was blessed to take two littles to Toybrary's Noon Year Eve's celebration and ball drop. This event was so well organized and numerous kids had an absolute BLAST experiencing the celebration in their time frame. If you haven't discovered this gem, do your kids a favor and visit! read more

The Toybrary is a nice place to relax while your child plays. There are big comfy chairs for parents to sit in while you watch your little one enjoy the toys. The outdoor play area is superb. I love that there is turf, so my little one can roll around without fear of fire ant mounds. Sometimes, the Toybrary hosts events. I have enjoyed the events that I have attended there and I especially enjoy the BYOB children's concerts. The Toybrary is a great little neighborhood spot for families to enjoy. read more

we had my 2 year olds birthday here, it was wonderful. Maria helped us clean up after which is was amazing. we were able to checkout a woom balance bike to learn my little didn't like it, so glad we didn't buy one. the great thing about toybrary, checking out toys to see what your kid likes. ultimately saves money! okay though, the best part about toybrary is you can go and let your kids play and really RELAX or catch up on emails. the kids are CONTAINED! read more

We love Toybrary. My kids come and play with the toys while I can visit with other mamas and catch a break. Some toys are well-loved and others are new. Liza rotates what is out, except for a few obvious anchor pieces, so there's variety even for regulars. We love the new location, too, with the outdoor playground for nice days and more space. read more

Love this place for my two toddlers! My nanNy can manage both of them without me there as there's so much to do and it's not massive where you can't keep track of your kids! And renting out the toys has been awesome and keeps my kids happy with variety! read more

Great place to bring the kids. Our son loves to run around and play with the multitude of toys they have. We have a membership and it's great being able to borrow a variety of toys to rotate in the house, too. They have all kinds of toys to choose from including books, puppets, cars, etc. Great place to connect with other parents, too. read more

Awesome place for both parents and kiddos. So many different toys to choose from so it makes it a great place for all ages. Liza also has snacks for adults and kids. The outside playground could use some work but otherwise a great place for a great price! read more

Toybrary is an great place to explore for kids. You can pay to just play, or you can become a member and check out toys as well. There are all kinds of toys to play with as well as a nice outdoor area. Don't forget to try on some dress-up clothes--they are lots of fun. Be sure to look at the calendar. Miss Liza has all kinds of activities, including classes, music, arts and crafts and special guests!!! Don't miss this one!!! read more

We are visiting from SoCal with our toddler and had to beat the heat. He had a great time with all the toys and I saw that they do drop offs and date nights too. What a wonderful idea. Wish we had one where we live! read more

I can't get enough of his place! Everything about it is top notch and professional. I have utilized the drop in day care for my 22 month old and it's fantastic, the owner always responds to my emails VERY quickly! We come and play inside on rainy days or when it's too hot to go to the park! I'm so thankful for the Toybrary! It's honestly a little slice of heaven for my little boy and me :) read more

This is exactly the type of place Austin needs for its very young crowd...a safe, happy, tot-friendly place for kids to explore. I live in South Austin but have made it up to Toybrary several times since there is always something awesome going on there! I am amazed that it is run by one person. Liza keeps the place colorful, clean, and entertaining. There are fun events occurring here daily-- some that my 3 year old and I have attended are shows for local kids musicians, balloon artists, and face painting. We even attended a super fun birthday party here too...all the kids had a blast. Great spot for a play date too! read more

We have been fans of The Toybrary since it opened but the new location on Justin Lane is awesome! Now they have a well-shaded outside play area in addition to the indoor play area. The play areas are always clean and the toys are unique and well cared for. My kids love it. read more

I was looking for Spring Break activities to take my younger child to while my older two were in an arts camp. A friend told me about this place that they were having a special petting zoo. Although my child is a bit too old for this type of place, the petting zoo sounded fun, so I went online and booked a spot. We will never go back here! What a chaotic, mis-managed ordeal! They didn't put a cap on how many people could come for the event and there were so many people there that barely half of the kids got a turn to pet the animals, and only for a few minutes at a time. We paid $10 for my kid to hold a guinea pig and look at a lizard for maybe two minutes. The poor petting zoo people were mobbed and it was so loud and crowded that the animals were jumping out of the kid's laps and hiding in their baskets. Then I found out that we can go to one of the zoo's events any weekend and get TEN minutes for only FIVE dollars. A bunch of people asked for their money back, but the owner was pretty unapologetic and tried to blame the situation on the zoo people. The zoo people actually apologized and said that they had been told it would be way less people and that they were only hired to be there for an hour. Toybrary should have booked them for several hours if they wanted to give that many people turns and they should have sold the tickets in timed blocks. One dad was trying to organize the tickets and say who was next, but people were just pushing their kids through or lifting them over the fence. The zoo staff were clearly overwhelmed and annoyed, but thankfully at the end they did walk around with some animals for those who didn't get a turn to pet. After talking to a few other parents who have taken their kids here, I have learned that they just don't manage their events well and a similar thing has happened other times, as well. I have no idea what this place is like on a day to day basis, but if you're thinking about going for one of their special events, I'd steer clear! read more

Love this place almost as much as my kids do. All kinds of fun and educational toys/activities and a comfy place to relax for parents!

I have a 2 and 4.5yo that have a blast at Toybrary Austin. We have always found it very clean and enjoy the fun musical events like Staci Gray. I have noticed the owner to be a bit standoffish in the past but was warm and welcoming on our last visit which in encouraging that she is listening to feedback and making improvements. We would be here all the time except that we live in far South Austin and this is a little out of the way for us but very fun and worth it when we visit. Would love a S. Austin location! :) read more

We used to enjoy the toys & resources at Family Connections and really miss that place, but Toybrary is filling a void in town. I'm very impressed that the owner, Liza, is willing to try to partner with many mom and family-friendly businesses. That alone should earn her stars. They have space for community classes and cool offerings like Spanish lessons and lots of musical performances as well as birthday parties. I think this will continue to evolve, but until then, my kids enjoy their variety of toys! read more

I read about this place online and when we were in the neighborhood we stopped by to check it out. We walked in and the owner was sitting at a desk, just looked at us. No hello, welcome, can I help you. I told her this was my first time and she pointed to play areas and asked for $7. I explained to her that I'm just checking the place for possible future visit. The place smelled so bad, combination of mold and dirty dippers. I would never let my child touch anything there just due to strong odors, let alone taking their toys home. When there's odor, theres also bacteria and mold and fungus. I don't understand who are the parents that just drop off their kids there. Later I went on the website to get more information about how this place operates and not that I would go there, but she offers first time free on the website, however when we walked in, instead of welcoming us, she immediately asked for $7. I know many more places that $7 will not include horrible odors and fun toys. Also when I looked around at the wooden toys, they were so beat up with chipped paints. To sum it all up for you, awful smells, damaged toys, dirty facility, false advertisement and rude management. How are these people in business? read more

We've been to a handful of events here and most of them have been massively overcrowded, and the membership is just silly expensive; however, my biggest issue with this business is their social media presence. The first straw was an article they posted titled "Having a Second Child Worsens Parents' Mental Health". The article was horrid, one sided and seemed an odd choice for a business geared toward children. The final straw was a video posted on MOTHER'S DAY, showing a pregnant woman stripping for her partner. The video portrayed the pregnant woman as an absolute buffoon, and the partner visibly disgusted by her. Instead of taking this day to celebrate the beauty of motherhood, they chose to post a video portraying an expectant mother as a bumbling, burping, unattractive clown. I commented on the post and, and rather than accepting feedback and opening a dialogue, or deleting the inappropriate content, they deleted my comment... so here I am. I am certainly done with this clueless business. read more

My daughters and I were so happy to see that there is a new toy library in town after Family Connections closed their doors. My girls get so excited when we go and I couldn't be happier with the toy selection. The owner has put a lot of thought into the toy choices and I appreciate that the they are not plastic and that they are very educational and high quality! The space is open, has great light and I always feel welcome there. I can't wait to try all of the activities that are on the schedule. read more

I took my 20 month old here for an afternoon of play. He had so much fun! We will be back. It was so nice I wish there was one more north around Cedar Park/Round Rock so it wasn't such a drive from us. read more

This place is such a sweet little gem. It's the playroom you dream about...fabulous toys to choose from, fun costumes, and a great outdoor area. The place is always super clean and well-organized. The owner, Liza, has many years of experience in early childhood education and she genuinely cares about each and every customer (adults and children alike). If you spend time getting to know her, you'll realize how passionate she is and how much she truly cares. We found Toybrary from a recommendation on Nextdoor and have been going for about 15 months now. My son, who's nearly 5, absolutely ADORES Miss Liza!! Truly adores her. We've done "drop-offs" but only because he's very mature and well-behaved for his age. If you have younger children, this is an amazing place to let them explore and play while you relax in a comfy chair. Had I known about it when my children were babies/toddlers, I would've come all the time. It's a very special and unique place and I applaud the owner for creating it. read more

Love the community at the Toybrary! Liza is an amazing and warm person. It is a fun place to be.

We love toybrary! It's small enough that I can let my toddler run loose without having to follow her around. There's a great variety of toys and every time she turns around something catches her eye. She doesn't get bored easily here like she does at a lot of places. We haven't tried renting toys yet but we might once baby #2 is a little older. read more

Such a fun and safe place for toddlers! Indoor and outdoor fun for all young ages. So many fun toys that keeps my busy 15 month old busy for hours. They offer many classes and even breaks for Mom (like drop off options and even a masseuse on location on most Wednesday's- which made my day!) we love to have play dates here and it a great place to meet other families. We love the Toybrary!! read more