Melton library's free play sessions could help parents choose Christmas toys for less
Melton Mowbray families preparing children's Christmas lists have a free way to see which games really capture young imaginations before spending money. Kidora, a UK parent-to-parent marketplace for baby and children's items, is encouraging parents to combine local play opportunities with thoughtful preloved shopping rather than assuming every present has to be bought new.
Melton Mowbray Library, on Wilton Road, holds Stay and Play Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. Leicestershire County Council says adults and children can enjoy a selection of games, puzzles and Lego at no cost, without booking. For families with younger children, the library also hosts free Wriggly Readers sessions on Mondays from 11am to 11.30am, with stories, songs and rhymes for babies and children aged up to four. The Family Hubs timetable includes a session on 26 October during half-term week. Parents should check details before travelling, as activities can change.
A library visit is not a toy shop, and the games are there to be enjoyed on site. But watching a child choose a puzzle repeatedly, stick with a construction project or ask to hear the same story again can provide useful clues about what might make a lasting gift. It may also prevent buying an expensive toy that is forgotten after Christmas Day.
Once parents know what their children genuinely enjoy, they can look for good-quality used options. The British Heart Foundation shop at 30 Market Place in Melton Mowbray lists preloved clothes, books and toys among its stock, although individual items depend on donations. Families can browse for age-appropriate storybooks, games or warm clothing while supporting the charity's work.
Not every family has room in its budget for extra presents. Local organisation Storehouse, at the Hope Centre on Nottingham Street, also provides clothing and baby equipment to people in the Melton borough who have been referred by an agency. This is a support service, not an ordinary retail shop, and its assistance follows its referral arrangements.
For parents who need to compare options beyond the high street, Kidora lets UK families browse listings from other parents for children's books, toys, clothes and baby essentials. Listings may include unused gifts and lightly used items; some are offered free for local collection. Shoppers can review photographs, descriptions, condition, seller location and the collection or available delivery arrangements before deciding. Any applicable checkout fees should be checked before paying, and the availability of a particular item or a Melton-based seller cannot be guaranteed.
The marketplace was founded by Karolina Gudes, a North Wales mum of two. Sellers do not pay a seller fee on the item price, and buyers have platform purchase safeguards. It is independent of Melton Mowbray Library, the British Heart Foundation and Storehouse; no partnership is implied.
A useful Christmas-list method is simple: let children play, note what they return to, decide on a sensible budget and check whether a clean, complete, safe and age-appropriate preloved gift would bring just as much enjoyment. Parents should check product recalls and avoid second-hand safety-critical equipment with an unknown history.
Visit Kidora: https://kidora.uk