how to donate a toy for christmas

by Maiya Wisoky 4 min read

Here's Where to Donate Toys to Kids Who Need Them Most
  1. Charities. There are so many charities that will accept gently used toys and distribute them throughout their networks. ...
  2. Buy Nothing Groups. ...
  3. Hospitals. ...
  4. Children's Homes and Shelters. ...
  5. Daycare Centers. ...
  6. Police and Fire Departments. ...
  7. Churches. ...
  8. Recycling Programs.
Oct 13, 2020

Do you donate toys to goodwill during Christmas?

Freecycle is a great resource for donating locally. Sign up for free, post the toys you’d like to donate, and some lucky family will come to pick them …

How many gifts do you give your kids at Christmas?

Dec 02, 2021 · Where to donate toys for Christmas. 1. Salvation Army. Every year, the Salvation Army run a Christmas Present Appeal in churches and centres across the UK. They collect new, unwrapped ... 2. Giving Tree via Kids Out. 3. Action for Children. 4. Great Ormond Street Hospital. 5. British Heart ...

What are some good toys for Christmas?

To adopt a family for Christmas, the society will give you a wish list so you can shop for items on the list. The average cost of sponsoring a family is $300. People can also donate cash and volunteers will do the shopping.

Where to donate toys to make a difference?

As always, we’ll take care of the delivery (it’s our favorite part). Donate a Toy on the Virtual Toy Box. You can also donate a toy at one of the local toy drop locations or host a Toys for Tots event at your home, office or other venue and collect toys for Toys for Tots. Donate a Toy Locally.

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Are they doing Toys for Tots this year 2021?

Our Toys for Tots campaign for 2021 is now underway! Family Request form for the 2021 campaign is now closed! Registration was open from 1 October until 5 December 2021. If you missed the registration window you may come to one of our distribution locations listed on the website after 3 pm.

What is a good toy to donate?

When in doubt, pick something from one of the classic categories of toys. Sporting equipment (like a basketball, soccer ball or football), board games, dolls, cars and trains, books and art supplies are all good choices. You can't go wrong by donating a simple stuffed animal or a LEGO set.Nov 18, 2021

Is it too late to donate to Toys for Tots?

Q: What ages are supported by Toys for Tots? Most campaign sites are able to assist children up to age 12, but in many local communities, local support is such that the age limit may be extended.

Where can I donate Toys for Christmas UK?

Charities And luckily, there are many great organisations in the UK that accept used toys! For example, The Toy Project collects unwanted toys year-round and redistributes them to children in need. Around Christmastime, many local groups and councils also run toy drives to collect and distribute toys to children.

How do you give away toys?

Here's Where to Donate Toys to Kids Who Need Them MostCharities. There are so many charities that will accept gently used toys and distribute them throughout their networks. ... Buy Nothing Groups. ... Hospitals. ... Children's Homes and Shelters. ... Daycare Centers. ... Police and Fire Departments. ... Churches. ... Recycling Programs.Oct 13, 2020

How do you get rid of too many toys?

It is the parent or caregiver's responsibility to pare things down from time to time, for everyone's sanity.Get Rid of "Busy Toys" ... Pass On Contraptions. ... Give Away Things for Younger Children. ... Eliminate Duplicates. ... Display The Good Stuff. ... Limit the Number of Toys. ... Rotate For Variety.

What toys are acceptable for Toys for Tots?

Popular toy categories include sporting equipment, books, backpacks, board games, radio control cars/trucks, hand-held electronics, and skateboards/helmets. Do not give toys that look like realistic weapons or food items.Dec 8, 2020

How many toys does Toys for Tots give per child?

two toysToys for Tots provides two toys per child.

What do I need for Toys for Tots?

Be one of the following: 1) a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 2) a public entity such as a public school or public library, or 3) a government-funded social-services agency. Have a primary mission to provide educational and emotional support to economically disadvantaged children.

Where can I donate used toys UK?

Where to donate toys for ChristmasSalvation Army. Every year, the Salvation Army run a Christmas Present Appeal in churches and centres across the UK. ... Giving Tree via Kids Out. ... Action for Children. ... Great Ormond Street Hospital. ... British Heart Foundation. ... The TOY Project. ... The Toy Appeal. ... Little Village.More items...•Dec 2, 2021

How do I dispose of old toys UK?

How to recycle toys and gamesToys are not collected as part of household collections so should not be put in your home recycling.Some Recycling Centres accept toys and games for recycling but it is best to check first.Toys in good working order can be donated to charity shops or a local community group.More items...

Is Toys for Tots a good charity?

Did you know that Toys for Tots is a top rated charity? 97% of your donation goes to our mission of providing toys, books and other gifts to less fortunate children. The 3% spent on support principally covers fundraising expenses – not one donated dollar goes to pay for salaries or any other manpower costs.

1. Salvation Army

Every year, the Salvation Army run a Christmas Present Appeal in churches and centres across the UK. They collect new, unwrapped toys and gifts, wrap them up and donate them to children who may not otherwise get a Christmas present.

2. Giving Tree via Kids Out

Working in collaboration with Women’s Aid among other partner charities, Kids Out helps children who have had to leave their homes and stay in a refuge due to domestic abuse.

3. Action for Children

Action for Children offers practical and emotional care and support for vulnerable children living across the UK. Before coronavirus, there were four million children living in poverty and that number is even higher now.

4. Great Ormond Street Hospital

Located in the Bloomsbury area of London, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) treats approximately 619 children with seriously complex illnesses every day. As well as pioneering medical breakthroughs, they support the families of children going through these life-saving treatments.

5. British Heart Foundation

You can donate unwanted, new gifts or second-hand toys at your local British Heart Foundation store. Found on most high streets in the UK, proceeds from the British Heart Foundation’s charity shops go towards funding the charity’s life-saving work.

6. The TOY Project

Founded in 2013, the TOY Project was founded to balance out the inequalities between the children that have and the children that don’t.

7. The Toy Appeal

The Toy Appeal is a great way to donate if you live in the North West. Founded in 2013 by Dee and Chris Drake, The Toy Appeal provides a sack of toys to children aged between 0 and 17 years living in poverty at Christmas.

What charities take toys?

Salvation Army and Goodwill are two of the most recognizable charities that take toy donations. But call your local branch before you go to confirm that it's accepting toy donations. Such charities often give toys directly to less fortunate children, or they sell the toys and put the proceeds toward the organization's efforts. Either way, the toys will be helping people in your community. As an extra incentive, you can donate toys to a qualifying charity or nonprofit group and deduct the items on your taxes.

What to do if you don't use a daycare?

It is rare to find a daycare center that is not in need of more toys. With so many children to entertain, daycare centers run through toys pretty fast. If you don't use a daycare center yourself, check with parents in your area to find one that will take your toy donations.

Can you play with toys in a hospital?

Hospitals. Many medical facilities accept gently used toys for their young patients to play with while they are hospitalized. Your local hospital might have a toy wish list posted on its website that you can check for its exact needs. Always check with the medical facility before you show up with a box of toys.

Do religious centers take donations?

If it's not accepting toy donations at the moment, there's a good chance it will be able to direct you to a reputable location that will take your donations.

Do police officers carry toys?

Police officers and firefighters often carry small toys, usually stuffed animals, to comfort scared and injured children on the scene. And local departments generally look to the public for donations to provide this service. So call your local police and fire departments to find out whether they would like some gently used toys. Around the holidays, departments also often serve as drop-off locations for toy, coat, and other donations.

Can you donate toys to the military?

With military families constantly on the move, some toys might not make the trip to the family's new home. So some gently used toys could be a nice welcoming gesture for a military family with kids that's new to your city. You also can contact a local military family support group to find a home for your toy donations, or contact Operation Homefront to search for current needs.

What charities accept gently used toys?

There are so many charities that will accept gently used toys and distribute them throughout their networks. For example, thrift-store organizations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army will resell toys in their shops and use the profits to support their charitable work. You could also give to Toys for Tots, the United States Marine Corps Reserve-run program that gives donated toys to children in need. Toys for Tots hosts popular toy drives around the holidays, but they also accept gently used toys year-round. Cradles to Crayons is another organization that accepts new and nearly new toys to benefit low-income families.

Can hospitals accept toys?

Hospitals. Many hospitals will accept donated toys for their young patients to play with, or to keep children entertained in the waiting room; the same thing goes for doctor's offices. But keep in mind: If you want to donate toys to your local children's hospital, they must be new.

Do police officers carry stuffed animals?

Police officers and firefighters often carry stuffed animals and other small toys with them to comfort children at the scenes of traumatic events, and their supply of toys sometimes depends on donations. Reach out to your local police and fire departments to see if they're accepting donations right now.

Can daycares go through toys?

If you've ever been to a day-care center, you know that they go through toys quickly. That's why if you have a ton of lightly used toys to donate, you might contact a center in your area to see if they're able to give your items a second life.

Can you throw old toys in the trash?

While you might consider simply throwing those old toys in the trash, there are plenty of kids who would love to receive them. And at the very least, you can help them avoid the landfill. Here are all the places you can donate gently used toys, including electronics, stuffed animals, dolls and other items.

How to support Toys for Tots?

There are a number of ways to support Toys for Tots' mission, including purchasing a toy and donating it at a local toy drop location, shopping for a toy to donate via the Toys for Tots website, or donating money online.

What is Operation Christmas Child?

A program run by Christian organization Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child that takes a collection of shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, apparel, candy, and a personal note. Select a child's age group and fill the box with items consistent for that age group.

How to teach kids to give to others?

Teach your children the value of giving to others during the holiday season by donating to a charity that provides gifts for needy children. Your kids may enjoy selecting presents for other children who are the same age as them. Choose from a variety of national charities or look for a local organization that's providing Christmas cheer ...

What does Make a Wish Foundation do?

The Make-A-Wish Foundation helps children throughout the year, but it also partners with companies to raise money specifically during the holiday season. If you drop off a letter to Santa at any Macy's location, the store will donate $1 per letter to Make-A-Wish.

What is the Angel Tree in prison?

The Christian charity Prison Fellowship Organization offers an Angel Tree program that help children who have at least one parent in prison. Through the program, volunteers deliver a gift and a message from both the Gospel and the child's incarcerated parent.

Who is Apryl Duncan?

Apryl Duncan is a writer for the Spruce covering lifestyle and family. She has over 20 years experience in freelance writing. Teach your children the value of giving to others during the holiday season by donating to a charity that provides gifts for needy children.

Does Walmart have angel trees?

The Salvation Army also has an Angel Tree program in collaboration with Walmart. The stores have Christmas trees that have tags on them. Each tag has a wishlist of a specific child. Donors pick an angel tag, shop for gifts (not necessarily at Walmart), and drops of the gifts for the Salvation Army to distribute.

How to Donate To toys for tots

Toys for toys work with many other organization which are helping hand for this organization, there are lot of things which toys for tots accept as a donation, There are various ways to donate things with toys for tots which you can find below

How toys for tots Help For Needy family works

Looking for the family who will take advantage of their need from Toys for Tots. As we all know that in our local area many needy children live, who live their lives in poverty. If you want to help them then you can help them through Toys for Tots.

Toys for Tots Hosting a drop-off location

You don’t need to be a part of other programs, even you can host your drop-off location program. It is your choice that where you want to host the programs, for example, you can host the program at your home, office, workplace, or any other community location. You can also encourage your friends or colleagues to donate any unwrapped toys.

Selecting Types of Toys to Donate

If you want to donate toys at the Toys for Tots, then you can see there that there is already a big wishlist’s for the popular toys. These toys one can donate for kids of all ages.

Find a Toys for tots drop-off location near me

Many of the organizations like Build-A-Bear workshop, doctor’s office, police stations, local libraries, car dealerships, and others are usually working as a drop-off location in the communities for the Toys for Tots. Apart from this, other drop-off locations are also helpful for families who need help in the holiday season.

When does toys for tots start

The toys for tots Donation start at the time of christmas but The toys for tots start from first day of October, This is the time when they seek help from sponsors and donors, from first day of October they collect unwrapped toys, gifts, cars and the process continue in Nov and DEC too Till christmas season.

Where can I Signup For toys for tots

Do you want to signup for toys for tots this christmas to you or to your family, the steps are very easy as we are here helping you with steps that can help you.

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What Toys Should You Donate at Christmas?

  • First of all, Christmas donations should be looked at as gifts for other kids. And this is why you can’t donate toys without considering few points. If you truly want to make a child happy you have to use your empathy. Try to walk in their shoes in order to figure out what they would like to receive. Simply donating toys that your child doesn’t like anymore is not the best criteria to follo…
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Here Are The Most Important Things to Consider!

  1. Donate toys that are in a good conditionIt might be tempting to donate toys that your child doesn’t play with anymore. The reasons might be that they are too old to enjoy such toys or they simply g...
  2. Split your donation boxes on different agesDonating toys at Christmas is a beautiful thing to do but it can be quite useless if you donate the wrong toy to the wrong child. Always make su…
  1. Donate toys that are in a good conditionIt might be tempting to donate toys that your child doesn’t play with anymore. The reasons might be that they are too old to enjoy such toys or they simply g...
  2. Split your donation boxes on different agesDonating toys at Christmas is a beautiful thing to do but it can be quite useless if you donate the wrong toy to the wrong child. Always make sure to chec...

Where to Donate Toys at Christmas?

  • Now that we know what type of toys we can donate and how they should be, let’s see where you can actually make the donation! There are many options that you can choose from but it primarily depends on your area of residence. The best place to donate toys at Christmas is a local shelter or a children’s center. Most of them are more than happy to accept toys as donations, especiall…
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Conclusion

  • The fact that you decided to give away some toys for Christmas is a very noble act. And if you follow the donation process correctly, you will become and feel like a Santa for a day! After all, this is what the Christmas spirit is all about: make others happy by giving them from the little that you have! By donating toys at Christmas we can all be part of the holiday’s magic and bring some s…
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Charities

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Salvation Army and Goodwill are two of the most recognizable charitiesthat take toy donations. But call your local branch before you go to confirm that it's accepting toy donations. Such charities often give toys directly to less fortunate children, or they sell the toys and put the proceeds toward the organization's effor…
See more on thespruce.com

Hospitals

  • Many medical facilities accept gently used toys for their young patients to play with while they are hospitalized. Your local hospital might have a toy wish list posted on its website that you can check for its exact needs. Always check with the medical facility before you show up with a box of toys. Some won't accept any items that aren't new due to the risk of spreading illness from seco…
See more on thespruce.com

Doctors' Offices

  • Visit a children's doctor's office, and you might see toys that people have donated. Large toys can entertain children in the waiting room. And small toys can be used in the doctor's prize bin to reward kids for making it through a checkup. Check with your local doctor's office to see what its needs are. If you have kids, you can have them write short messages of well wishes on certain t…
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Daycare Centers

  • It is rare to find a daycare center that is not in need of more toys. With so many children to entertain, daycare centers run through toys pretty fast. If you don't use a daycare center yourself, check with parents in your area to find one that will take your toy donations. The greatest need will likely be toys for young children.
See more on thespruce.com

Shelters

  • Women's shelters, as well as shelters for homeless people, are often overlooked as toy donation sites. But children end up at these locations too, and they often come with very few possessions. So many of these shelters will gladly take gently used toy donations. At the same time, you might be able to donate other items, including clothing, bedding, and toiletries. Contact a particular she…
See more on thespruce.com

Children's Homes

  • Children's homes are another place where you can donate used toys for kids in need. Groups of kids live together in children's homes, so toys for kids of all ages are usually appreciated. Don't forget about toys for older children, as they're often an overlooked group in favor of cute toys for young kids. Check your local directory to see whether there is a children's home near you, and fin…
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Military Families

  • With military families constantly on the move, some toys might not make the trip to the family's new home. So some gently used toys could be a nice welcoming gesture for a military family with kids that's new to your city. You also can contact a local military family support group to find a home for your toy donations, or contact Operation Homefrontto search for current needs.
See more on thespruce.com

Religious Centers

  • From newborns to school-age kids, local religious centers often provide childcare services to a variety of children during services and other facility events. Contact a local place of worship to find out what its needs are. If it's not accepting toy donations at the moment, there's a good chance it will be able to direct you to a reputable location that will take your donations.
See more on thespruce.com

Social Services

  • Your local social services division likely will be able to connect you with a variety of kids who would love to play with your gently used children's toys. Contact your local department to find out what it needs and where to bring donations. It also might have needs for other children's items, such as clothing and shoes.
See more on thespruce.com

Police and Fire Departments

  • Police officers and firefighters often carry small toys, usually stuffed animals, to comfort scared and injured children on the scene. And local departments generally look to the public for donations to provide this service. So call your local police and fire departments to find out whether they would like some gently used toys. Around the holidays, departments also often ser…
See more on thespruce.com

Charities

Image
There are so many charities that will accept gently used toys and distribute them throughout their networks. For example, thrift-store organizations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army will resell toys in their shops and use the profits to support their charitable work. You could also give to Toys for Tots, the United States Mari…
See more on goodhousekeeping.com

Buy Nothing Groups

  • Especially amid the coronavirus pandemic, it can be difficult to find charities and organizations that will accept donations of gently used toys — but that doesn't mean your kid's old things are destined for the dump. If you can't find any places to donate toys, try posting the items on your local Buy Nothing Facebook group. You could also list the toys on Freecycle or Craigslist. Make …
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Hospitals

  • Many hospitals will accept donated toys for their young patients to play with, or to keep children entertained in the waiting room; the same thing goes for doctor's offices. But keep in mind: If you want to donate toys to your local children's hospital, they must be new. Most hospitals have strict hygiene policies, so you'll need to purchase the toy specifically for the purpose of donating (cont…
See more on goodhousekeeping.com

Children's Homes and Shelters

  • Your toys will definitely get played with if you donate them to a local children's or women's shelter. Get in touch with the director of the children's home nearest to you to see where and how your donations can be most useful. Your local social services office might also be able to direct you to children in the foster care system and other children in need who would greatly appreciate gentl…
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Daycare Centers

  • If you've ever been to a day-care center, you know that they go through toys quickly. That's why if you have a ton of lightly used toys to donate, you might contact a center in your area to see if they're able to give your items a second life.
See more on goodhousekeeping.com

Police and Fire Departments

  • Police officers and firefighters often carry stuffed animals and other small toys with them to comfort children at the scenes of traumatic events, and their supply of toys sometimes depends on donations. Reach out to your local police and fire departments to see if they're accepting donations right now. For an easy way to donate toys to this cause, give your items to Stuffed Ani…
See more on goodhousekeeping.com

Churches

  • The leader of your local church may know of families within the church who could use a few new toys. Otherwise, the church itself may want the toys to keep children occupied during Sunday school, services or other local events. Contact the church's children's ministry coordinator for more information.
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Recycling Programs

  • If the toys you're looking to get rid of are soiled, torn or otherwise not in great shape, recycling them may be the best bet. You can get in contact with your local recycling service and see if they take toys (because they don't always!), or check out TerraCycle. TerraCycle has a partnership with Hasbro specifically for recycling old toys — it's free and easy! You mail in your toys, and they bre…
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