How to Donate Children's Toys

Donating children's toys is a great way to share the fun of playtime with less fortunate children. When choosing when and how to donate children's toys, do some research and plan ahead to avoid toys not being utilized. Re-gift unwanted toys to children in need or place used toys with organizations that need them.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Where to Donate Children's Toys

1. Think about helping sick kids by donating children's toys to a medical center in your area. A children's hospital or child's wing in any hospital can always use the fun and laughter toys can bring.

2. Choose a national organization to donate new toys, like Toys for Tots (see Resources below). The Toys for Tots organization collects toys for children from October through the end of December each year. Check the website for details.

3. Donate used children's toys to Goodwill (see Resources below). Toys should be clean and have all parts intact. Details about how to donate can be found online.

4. Ask local church organizations about toy donation drop off spots. Many churches have toy and food drives, as well as donation collection areas set up for charity collection.

5. Call a social service agency to inquire about how to donate children's toys. Homeless shelters, orphanages and other programs can always use extra children's resources.

Donate Acceptable Toys

6. Donate used toys. Toys that have been gently used and remain in good condition are acceptable to donate. Keep all instructions with the toy and keep any loose parts in a bag or storage container.

7. Consider asking your child to share his overabundance of toys collected at a birthday or other holiday occasion. Your child will get the gift of sharing and generosity when she parts with a toy she does not need.

8. Hold on to dirty toys that cannot be cleaned or have been worn out, or throw them away. Do not donate toys you see as trash. Only give away toys that still have lots of life.

9. Give away gifts that your children have received doubles of. A brand new book, toy or game that your child has been gifted double makes a better donation than a toy that has been used.

Tips & Warnings

• Regularly clean your children's toy room with them to find suitable toys to donate. Teaching children to share what they do not use can foster a sense of community and social responsibility.

Resources

• Toys for Tots to donate toys
• Donate toys to Goodwill

[shineonme]

on 12/15/2008 My children have toys that they haven't opened from the last christmas as well as gently used toys that I would like to donate, but I don't want them to just put them in some organization box. I would like for the children to be able to give directly to the child that would be receiving the toy(s). To me it would be a lot more gratifying for my children to see that they have made another child happy. I just don't think they will realize the joy if they are putting the toy in a box somewhere. I am in Englewood, NJ. If anyone have any info that they are will to share you can email @ [e-mail]. PLEASE MAKE TO SURE TO PUT "KIDS GIVING KIDS"AS THE SUBJECT. Thanks

[LORICHRISTINA]

on 12/7/2008 i have used toys. my kids would like to give some of there toy to some one that don,t have as much as we do. we don,t have much our selves but if we can do a little some thing to make some little boy or girl happy we would like to try i don,t know were to take the toy or how to get them to yous or if you will take them can you tell me please 315-337-6097 my phone number to call me thank you lori christina .