Where to donate toys
Clean, complete toys can go to a thrift store any day of the year. New toys go to holiday toy drives from November. Shelters, libraries, daycares and Buy Nothing groups take specific things, so call or check first. Broken toys go to the fix-it bench, not the donation box.
Before you donate: Zoey's four checks
- Does it work? Batteries in, wheels on, nothing cracked. If not, try to fix it first.
- Is it all there? Count the puzzle pieces. Bag small parts and tape the bag to the box.
- Is it clean? Wipe hard toys; wash plush on gentle and dry fully.
- Is it safe? Check recalls (cpsc.gov in the US, canada.ca/recalls in Canada). No recalled toys, no car seats, no drop-side cribs.
Where to donate toys in the United States
Thrift stores: Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, St. Vincent de Paul
The easiest drop-off. Most take clean toys, games and books; many will not take stuffed animals or anything recalled. Check the store's donation page first.
Toys for Tots
Runs a new-toy drive each fall for the holidays. New, unwrapped toys only; drop boxes appear in stores and fire halls from October to mid-December.
Shelters and family service centres
Women's shelters, family shelters and refugee resettlement groups often need toys and books for kids staying with them. Call first; needs change week to week.
Children's hospitals and Ronald McDonald House
Usually new toys only, for infection control. Ask the child-life department what is on their wish list.
Your library and your child's school
Many libraries run book swaps or take gently used picture books; schools and daycares often want puzzles, blocks and dress-up clothes.
Buy Nothing groups and local online swaps
Post a photo of what you have and a neighbour picks it up. Good for big items like ride-ons and play kitchens that thrift stores can't move.
Where to donate toys in Canada
Thrift stores: Value Village, Salvation Army Thrift Store, Mission Thrift, MCC Thrift
Across Canada. Value Village pays its partner charities by the pound. Same rules as everywhere: clean, complete, not recalled.
Big Brothers Big Sisters and Diabetes Canada clothing pickups
Both run free home-pickup programs in many Canadian cities for clothes and small household items; some locations take toys. Book online and check what your local pickup accepts.
Holiday toy drives
Toy Mountain in Toronto, Santa's Anonymous in Edmonton, the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau in Vancouver, and Salvation Army toy drives in most cities. New toys only, usually from November.
Shelters, transition houses and newcomer centres
Many keep a playroom or send kids home with a toy. Call your local one and ask what ages they need.
Libraries, schools and daycares
Picture books, puzzles and building toys are the usual asks. Ask the librarian or the office.
Buy Nothing groups and Facebook Marketplace (free)
Neighbour-to-neighbour, no shipping. Best for large or odd items.
Make it a crew mission
In The Secret of the Squeaky Wagon, Zoey packs a box all week, then the crew delivers it down the street in the fixed wagon. Do the same: let your child choose what to give, pack the box together, and go along for the drop-off. Giving is the part kids remember.
Related: five easy repairs before you decide a toy is done, and the six Rs.
Donating toys: questions
Where can I donate used toys near me?
Thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army, Value Village) take clean, complete used toys in most places. Shelters, libraries, daycares and local Buy Nothing groups are good for specific items. Call first, because each place has its own rules.
Where can I donate stuffed animals?
Many thrift stores and hospitals do not accept stuffed animals for hygiene reasons. Animal shelters sometimes take them as pet comfort toys, and Buy Nothing groups will usually find them a home. Wash them first.
Can I donate broken or incomplete toys?
No. Donate only what works and has all its pieces. A broken toy costs the charity money to throw away. Fix it first if you can; see our five easy repairs.
Where do I donate toys in Canada?
Value Village, Salvation Army Thrift Stores and Mission Thrift take used toys across Canada. For new toys, holiday drives like Toy Mountain (Toronto), Santa's Anonymous (Edmonton) and the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau (Vancouver) run from November.