From Clutter to Clean: My Experience with Baby Gear Group Toy Rental

It feels like I’m buying new toys for my little ones every other week. 

Anyone with children knows the struggle: The joy of a brand new toy that captivates their attention, only for it to be tossed aside days, or even hours later, their interest as fleeting as a Minnesota snowfall in April.

 My two-year-old and five-year-old quickly lose interest, and I’ve watched countless toys gather dust in the corner, used and forgotten. 

Not to mention the financial burden and the environmental guilt from the endless cycle of consumerism.

We’ve all had those moments of desperation, scouring the aisles of our local toy store or scrolling through countless pages online, trying to find that one toy that might keep their interest for longer than a week. 

Then there’s the aftermath: a cluttered house filled with forgotten toys that nobody wants to play with anymore but we’re reluctant to throw away.

Enter Baby Gear Group, a company that’s promising to revolutionize the way we think about children’s toys. With their innovative toy rental system, you can say goodbye to the clutter and waste and hello to a constantly refreshing selection of toys to keep your little ones engaged and entertained. 

This might just be the game-changer weary parents like us have been waiting for. They recently expanded to Minnesota and I got the opportunity to test them out! In this blog post, I’ll share with you my experience with toy rentals.

baby gear group toy dropoff

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About Baby Gear Group

Baby Gear Group is more than just a toy rental company. Their unique business model offers a curated approach to playtime that not only keeps things fresh and exciting for your little ones, but also lightens the load on your wallet and the environment. 

Here’s how it works:

To begin with, Baby Gear Group provides several rental plans, starting at a reasonable $49 per month. Depending on the plan you choose, you’re allowed to select a certain number of toys each month

This gives you the freedom and flexibility to tailor your toy selection to your children’s current interests, ensuring that they always have something new and exciting to engage with.

Their selection is impressive, catering to a wide range of age groups, interests, and levels of complexity. They have everything from high-end toys like Nugget Couches and TonieBox to simpler, yet still entertaining options such as Melissa and Doug role-playing toys. 

This expansive variety guarantees that every child will find something they love, while also offering them the opportunity to explore and discover new interests.

The process of obtaining the toys couldn’t be more convenient. 

Once you’ve selected your toys for the month, they are directly dropped off at your house, eliminating the need for store trips or waiting for package deliveries. At the end of the month, simply return the toys and select your next batch.

But that’s not all – Baby Gear Group has gone a step further by offering travel items. Whether you’re going on a short trip or an extended vacation, you can rent one-time items like travel gear (stroller, SlumberPods, etc.) to make traveling easier.

This means less packing and planning for you, and more fun and engagement for your kids, making Baby Gear Group an excellent companion for families who love to travel.

girl playing with melissa and doug playset

My Experience with Baby Gear Group

My experience with Baby Gear Group has been a transformative one, not just for my children’s playtime, but also for our approach to consumption and sharing.

Trying it Out

One of the standout benefits of the service was the opportunity to try out high-end toys I was considering purchasing for my girls for their birthdays or Christmas. For instance, we were able to test out a Tonie Box – an interactive story and song player – without having to commit to buying one right away. 

This gave us a practical, hands-on experience with the product, helping me make a more informed decision on whether it would be a worthwhile investment.

In addition to this, the service also brought a refreshing variety to our playtime. With new toys arriving each month, my girls found renewed excitement in role-playing games.

From being doctors one month to running their own taco stand the next, the constantly changing toy selection fostered their creativity and broadened their imaginative horizons.

girl playing with melissa and doug playset

Beyond playtime, Baby Gear Group also became a valuable tool for teaching my kids important life skills. Every time we packed up toys for return, it served as a conversation starter about sharing and being mindful of resources. 

We talked about how the toys were going to another home, creating an understanding of the concept of communal sharing.

Quality

Quality-wise, I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the toys. Despite being rented, every toy we received looked and felt brand new. The company clearly takes pride in ensuring their toys are well-maintained and safe for kids to play with.

That being said, there was one minor downside to our experience. Some of the toys, like the adorable taco kit we rented, came with numerous small pieces. While these certainly added to the fun and realism of the play experience, it also sparked a fear of losing some of these smaller components. 

However, this presented another opportunity to teach my children about responsibility and carefulness with their belongings.

baby gear group toy dropoff

Pros and Cons

Like any service, Baby Gear Group has its high points as well as areas that could be improved. 

Here’s a look at the pros and cons based on my personal experience:

Pros

Variety and Novelty

With a continually rotating selection of toys, the service ensures that playtime never gets boring. It keeps the kids excited for what’s coming next and encourages them to explore new toys and interests.

Cost-Effective

Considering the price of purchasing high-quality toys, the monthly subscription fee can save a significant amount of money in the long run. It also allows you to test out expensive items before making a commitment to buy.

Quality

Despite being rented, the toys come in excellent condition. The company maintains high standards in ensuring the toys are clean, safe, and in top-notch shape for each family.

Teaching Opportunities

The service presents many teachable moments for kids, from sharing and responsibility to being mindful of resources and waste.

Convenience

With doorstep delivery and pickup, the hassle of shopping for and returning toys is eliminated.

Cons

Potential for Lost Pieces

Some toys come with numerous small pieces that could easily be lost. While this is a minor issue and provides an opportunity to teach kids about responsibility, it can also cause some anxiety for parents.

Adjustment Period

Children may take some time to adjust to the idea of returning toys, particularly if they’ve grown attached to certain items.

In conclusion, while there are some minor drawbacks, the pros of Baby Gear Group significantly outweigh the cons. The service offers a cost-effective, sustainable, and fun solution to keeping playtime exciting, while also incorporating valuable life lessons for children. 

With some patience and careful consideration of toy selection, it can be a game-changer for parents looking to reduce clutter, waste, and the constant need for new toys.

Discount Code

Want to try it out for yourself? Use the code COFFEE for 20% off your first order!

Author

  • Ali Van Straten

    Ali Van Straten is the founder and journalist of Champagne and Coffee Stains. She is a Peloton expert, certified running coach and certified nutrition coach. Champagne and Coffee Stains provides information and resources on Peloton Interactive, running and recipes.

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