If there's one thing every household with young kids [1] has too much of it's probably toys. Going through regular purges is an effective way to keep the chaos under control and sort through things the kids have outgrown. And thanks to Marie Kondo's Netflix show, Tidying Up [2], people everywhere are being inspired to not just toss out gently used (but perfectly playable) toys but donate them so they can bring a world of play to other children.
But where do you start? You want to follow two simple rules to make the most of your donation. One, be sure the toys aren't broken or missing pieces, and two, always clean them up [3] before donating (an easy task for little ones to help with!). From hospitals to shelters, keep reading for a list of the best places that can always use a box of toys!
Preschools and Daycares
Preschools and daycares go through toys like they're going out of style! Donating to your local preschools is a terrific way to ensure your children's toys get played with instantaneously.
Military Families
Military families move all the time, and that means a lot of toys get left behind. Connect with a local military resource or Operation Homefront [5] to donate toys to a military family.
Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House [6] works hard to keep families together during medical crises, and they always have a need for toys.
Churches, Mosques, and Synogogues
Donate your toys to a religious organisation, because even when people are getting their spiritual fix, there are always babies and toddlers that need entertaining!
Hospitals and Doctor's Offices
Doctor's offices that know what they're doing will tend to have a play area for little kids, and the heavily used toys are always a bit run down from so much traffic. And hospitals can always use a few toys to help distract little ones when getting cared for. Get in the good graces of the staff, and drop off a box of toys the next time you have an appointment.
Women's Shelters
Women's shelters always have a lot of kids, which means they always need toys. Donate a few boxes to your local women's shelter to help bring a little light to families dealing with hard situations.
Social Media
The easiest way to donate toys is to simply post about a free box of toys in your neighbourhood group on Facebook. Chances are, they'll get scooped up within a few short hours, but be safe and leave the donations curbside once you've scheduled a pick-up.