We keep toys out of the landfill and clutter out of your home through our toy lending library.
Serving Philadelphia families with children ages 0-8.
Our Story
Hi, I’m Krystal and I am the founder and owner of Rutabaga Toy Library.
I live in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia with my husband, Pedro, and our kids Pedrito and Alma.
I opened Rutabaga Toy Library in 2019 to provide affordable, eco-friendly access to toys and a gathering space for kids and their grownups.
How it Began
Rutabaga began as Rutabaga Circle, when I had a toddler and new baby, and was looking for ways to connect with other families in the neighborhood. I hosted meetups and classes in various establishments around the neighborhood and soon caregivers started asking for more and more gathering opportunities. I realized we needed a permanent space where grownups and children could gather, so I opened Rutabaga Toy Library in the fall of 2019.
How the Toy Library Idea Came About
It doesn’t take very long after becoming a parent (or even before) to realize how much material waste is involved in raising a family. As a new mom, I began learning about low-waste alternatives to parenting and came across an article about a toy library in Austin, Texas. Their space served as a gathering space for families, while also providing an alternate path for families to share resources instead of always buying new. I decided this was a perfect way to support families in Philadelphia and Rutabaga Toy Library was officially born!
We’re so thrilled to be supporting families in Philadelphia by providing low-waste alternatives and opportunities to connect!
If you have any questions, you can reach us at
hello@rutabagaphilly.com
Media Features
Read more stories about Rutabaga:
Medium Blog by Katy Chatel: “From Disposable to Valued”
Super Fun Branding Session Blog by Allison Dunn Photography
Everyday East Falls Spotlight by East Falls Development Corp