Circulate Christmas at Laois festive toy swap event in Portlaoise

A free festive toy event in Portlaoise, just before Christmas, offers local people the opportunity to make gifting joyful, sustainable, and circular.

Supported by Laois County Council, the Toy Library Circular Christmas Swap and Play takes place in St Mary's Hall, Portlaoise on December 20.

The organisers invite the community to bring up to five toys in very good condition - or just come to take home something new-to-you. They say no donations are required to participate. Leftover toys will be donated locally in Laois.

Apart from the toy swap, the festive event features lots of other festive fun for families that has a sustainable theme.
This includes eco Christmas crafting, which will see families get the chance to create festive crafts using upcycled, planet-friendly materials.

People will also be able to get vegan, non-toxic temporary tattoos on the day. The organisers say there will be colourful designs, including some with Christmas themes.

The Teddy Bear Hub will also give children the chance to give their favourite furry friends a cosy check-up at the teddy bear station.

The day also features an Eco Wishing Tree, which allows kids to share their wishes for a healthier planet and help create a beautiful community display.

Plenty of Christmas cookies are promised while you browse and play. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Day features a Teddy Bear Hub.  Pic: Pexels /Sóc Năng Động

"This Christmas, let’s make gifting joyful, sustainable, and circular. Join us for a festive Swap and Play event where families can exchange pre-loved toys, enjoy hands-on activities, and discover greener ways to celebrate the season," say the organisers.
The benefit of swapping is also explained.

"So many toys still have plenty of life left. By swapping instead of buying new, we save money, reduce waste, and spark joy for another child," says the Toy Library team.

This event is open to all Toy Library members, who are described as a growing community of conscious families making circular play the new norm.

READ ALSO: Hundreds of Santas set to cycle around Portlaoise

A reminder that the Christmas Toy Swap event takes place on Saturday, December 20, 11 am to 2 pm in St Mary’s Hall, on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise.

Led by a researcher at University College Cork Giorgia Anile, The Toy Library was set up in 2024 to offer a free way for families to refresh toy collections without spending money and reduce waste by giving unwanted toys a new lease of life. The Toy Library invites families to share, swap or find toys on a free online platform.

If you are not a member you can  join at www.thetoylibrary.ie