where can i donate used children's toys

by Mr. Kade Mraz DVM 10 min read

You can donate gently used toys at a Habitat ReStore near you. Children Homes or Shelters A lot of children homes would gladly accept toy donations for the children that stay there. So, if there’s an orphanage or home for children close to you, you should consider donating toys there.

There are many places to consider when looking to donate used toys.
  • Thrift Shops. Charitable groups such as Goodwill, the Salvation Army, the St. ...
  • Shelters. ...
  • Church, Synagogue and Mosque Day Care Centers. ...
  • Libraries. ...
  • Art Schools. ...
  • Operation Homefront. ...
  • Museums. ...
  • Children's Hospitals.

Full Answer

Where can I donate slightly used 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.

Where you can donate stuffed animals your kids have collected?

  • Orphanages and children's homes.
  • Therapy centres.
  • Family shelters.
  • Schools.
  • Children's hospitals (check first)
  • Churches.
  • Retirement homes.
  • Youth clubs.

Where to donate toys for needy kids?

Top 6 Charities That Help Children at Christmas Time

  • Toys for Tots. Run by the U.S. ...
  • Operation Christmas Child. Great things come in small packages and make their way into the hands of children all over the world.
  • Make-A-Wish Foundation. ...
  • Prison Fellowship Angel Tree. ...
  • Salvation Army Angel Tree. ...
  • Operation Christmas Spirit. ...

How can I get my kids to donate old toys?

There are several ways to get your kids involved:

  • Ask for Help. Let your kids know that you plan to donate some toys to a charitable cause. ...
  • Choose a Charity Together. DonationTown lets you choose charities based on your location and type of donation, so research possibilities with your kids and choose one your kids are excited ...
  • Create a Quota. ...

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Where is the best place to donate used 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.

What can I do with old toys and clothes?

Goodwill. Goodwill is one of the most popular nonprofit organizations to donate all kinds of household items, including toys, books, CDs, and children's clothing. ... The Salvation Army. ... Stuffed Animals for Emergencies. ... The Arc. ... ClothingDonations.org. ... Donation Town. ... Local Thrift Stores. ... Foster Care Programs.More items...•

What can you do with junk toys?

7 Ways to Get Rid of Old ToysThrow away the stuff that is broken. ... Donate toys in good condition to a worthy place, or give them to someone with younger children. ... Get the kids out of the house. ... Have a one-in, one-out rule. ... Have a toy sale. ... Think local. ... Pick a number.

What do you do with old toys after Christmas?

Donation Town Many organizations more prevalent around the holidays, like Toys for Tots, don't often accept toy donations year-round, but returning new toys for cash and then giving a monetary donation to Toys for Tots, or other reputable local charity, is always a good option as well.

How do I get rid of toys?

Removing the “low-hanging fruit” (toys that are no longer used) is a great place to start and shouldn't take too long. Put the clean, unused toys in boxes and donate them to a medical center, nonprofit organization, local church, homeless shelter, orphanage, school, or Goodwill. Simply discard the dirty or broken ones.

Do you have to wash stuffed animals before donating?

First things first: Wash and sanitize all toys before donating them.

How do you get rid of childhood toys?

If you come across some items that you want to get rid of, check to see if they can still do some good. Be sure to check with local charities, and find out in advance what kind of donations they might appreciate. Think about how your old toys can make a positive difference in a child's life.

What toys do kids really need?

Remember, children have Mother Nature to interact with, and these toys should be thought of as – just toys – the cherries on top!Blocks. This category spans a wide variety of building materials that a child can use to build whatever world they want. ... A Doll. ... Characters. ... A Ball. ... Art Materials. ... Scarves. ... Gross Motor. ... Vehicles.More items...

How do I get rid of my childhood stuff?

7 Tips to Help You Get Rid of Sentimental ThingsStart With an Easy Space. ... Remember, You Are Getting Rid of the Item and Not the Memory. ... Find Closure by Using the Item One Last Time. ... Keep Items That Bring You Joy — and Only Those Items. ... Take Time to Recognize Items That Are Truly Meaningful. ... Digitize Memories.More items...•

How do you get rid of toys before Christmas?

Clearing Out Toy Clutter Before ChristmasHave a conversation with your child about giving away toys. ... Ask your child what his or her favorite 3 or 4 toys are? ... Separate items into like categories, then declutter. ... Give your child choices and set limits. ... Use the “Half-Way Home” for toys.More items...

How many toys does Toys for Tots give each child?

two toysToys for Tots provides two toys per child. As part of Toys for Tots Literacy Program, two books will be given to supplement one toy if books are available. Toys cannot be auctioned, sold or converted for monetary gain.

Where can I donate stuffed animals in my area?

5 Best Places to Donate Stuffed AnimalsDonation Town.Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE)Ronald McDonald House Charities.Toys for Tots.Pay Away the Layaway.Organizations/Charities.Hospitals.Children's Homes and Shelters.More items...•

How do you recycle fabric clothes?

Textile Recycling Unfortunately, almost no curbside pick-up recycling programs in the U.S. accept textiles, so you can't just toss your used fabrics in the recycling bin. Instead, you'll have to take them directly to a recycler or donation facility that will do the job for you.

What can you do with old t shirts to keep?

Donate Them. ... Recycle Them. ... Use Them As Rags. ... Use Them As Hair Curlers. ... Use Them As Garden Ties. ... Use Them As Paint Smocks For Kids. ... Throw A Tie-dye Party. ... Make A Personalized Dog Toy.More items...•

What can you do with old pants?

Bottom line: Don't throw away your old jeans. If you aren't interested in craft projects, donate your worn but wearable jeans to a local thrift store like Goodwill, recycle your worn denim with Blue Jeans Go Green, or use our Recycling Search to find spots near you that accept textiles.

Where can I donate plush toys in Toronto?

Here are some places to donate your old toys in Toronto.East End Children's Centre. Bring your lightly used toys to this office right by Coxwell subway station. ... Jessie's Centre. ... Oasis Clothing Bank. ... Toronto Fire Fighters Toy Drive. ... Diabetes Canada. ... Once Upon a Child. ... Women's Habitat. ... Salvation Army.More items...•

Charities

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…
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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 childre...
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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.
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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…
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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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