Lucy Laboz 
As part of their Girl Scout Silver Award, the Girl Scouts of Howell built and installed a bin filled with beach toys for families to borrow and return, for free, helping to make the beach more fun and accessible for everyone. Read on for all that we know about the Girl Scouts’ new beach toy bin in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Photo Credit: City of Asbury Park
The Details
Keira H. and Violet H., two members of Girl Scout Troop 60771 in Howell, recently took initiative to make beach toys accessible for all in Asbury Park. The two aimed to provide easily-accessible fun to children and parents alike for the remainder of the summer.
Read More: 18 New + Incoming Businesses at the Jersey Shore This Summer 2025
Keira and Violet’s idea for the toy bin was simple but powerful, with the idea for it to serve as a free-use bin with gently-used beach toys, accessible to anyone visiting the beach who wishes to use them. With the installation of the “Beach Toy Library,” Keira and Violet earned the Girl Scout Silver Award, which is the second-highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. By combining their passions for benefiting the community and creative thinking, Keira and Violet aim to fill beachgoers with joy while leaving a lasting impact on the Asbury Park community.
Photo Credit: City of Asbury Park
“Our goal was to make the beach more enjoyable and inclusive,” Keira and Violet shared via a press release. “If a family forgot their toys or couldn’t afford extras, they could simply borrow from the bin. It also helps reduce litter—if someone found a stray toy on the sand or in the water, they could drop it into the bin.”
Keira and Violet designed and built the bin themselves using repurposed wood pallets. They plan to replenish the bin’s contents every six months to make sure it is stocked and remains in good condition, so it is accessible year-round. The bin was installed on August 1st with support from the City of Asbury Park and the Department of Public Works.
“We are grateful to Keira and Violet for bringing their vision to Asbury Park,” City Manager Adam E. Cruz said via a press release. “Their dedication and maturity in creating a project that helps both people and the environment is truly admirable. We also want to thank their parents and troop leader for guiding them in a direction that promotes kindness, service, and the greater good.”
Photo Credit: City of Asbury Park
The Beach Toy Library is located just past the beach entrance between Asbury Avenue and First Avenue in Asbury Park. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Beach Toy Library and donate a new or gently used toy.
See More: 10 Family-Friendly Beaches in New Jersey
Follow @thejerseyshoregirl_ on Instagram for the latest Jersey Shore updates, sign up for our weekly newsletter here that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our events calendar, which has over 40+ events weekly to peruse.
