What should i do with my son's old toys?

Question

With it being Christmas and having good will and all... i wanted to do something useful with my son's old toys instead of selling them. Any ideas???

Answer 1

If the toys are still in good condition, clean them up and give them to charity. See if there's any international charity organization that are willing to take them. There are so many poor children around the world who would appreciate your kind gesture!! It'll definitely put a smile on their faces!!

Answer 2

You don't mention your son's age. My son just turned 3 a week ago. With his birthday AND Christmas we know he will get lots of new things. In mid-November I had him sit down with me and go through all of his toys. For every toy he kept he had to give one up. We did the same thing last year and it really works well. This gives you child a sense that he has a say in his own things.

I then researched a bit because I wanted my son to actually be doing the giving. It really brightens up his face to see others laugh and smile when someone their age hands them a toy. My mother in law works at a high school where mothers (usually single parenting) can bring their children to daycare while they go to class on the same campus. Most of the parents have no money to get gifts for their children. We took the toys into the director of the daycare. Since it is state funded they are also VERY low on toys and play items. 95% of their items are donated by faculty at the campus. The director kept some things she knew that they could put to good use, and let my son hand them out to children to play with. It was so sweet because my son even tried to help some children with toys that had actions and sounds.

He has since then started another box of toys (completely on his own) and tells me he wants to go give his toys to the little kids. I am not sure how much of the giving process he really understands. But he knows when they kids take the toys he will never be getting them back and seems great about it. Its so facinating to see a 3 year old totally light up when a child their age smiles over a simple toy.

I suggest looking for a place like this, or a group foster home (no longer called orphanages). Sadly the state does not allow for money to be spent on toys and assessories for younger children.

Answer 3

If your son is less than 5yrs. old, you can clean and sanitize them, then store them (if possible), and bring them out at a later date and time. i.e. next birthday or Christmas.(This helps to make budget go farther) They usually won't remember having gotten it before. They may only remember having had fun with something like it before and will like receiving it again. Unless it's a toy that they didn't like in the first place. But time changes a lot of things. Even attitudes. So getting it the second time around may be a different experience for them. They might like it better the second time around. If they don't then, donate it somewhere.
But, if you don't like that idea, then here are a few ideas for other ways to get rid of them.
Donate "cleaned" items to: Local daycare, Salvation Army, Heartbeats, Local Headstart Program, check for any children's local "consignment shops" near you. They SELL children's clothes, accessories and some toys FOR YOU and they get a little of the sale also. Also, consider a homeless shelter, a children's home, and a Family Services Agency. Good luck and thanks for sharing instead of "trashing"! :-) (my youngest of 3 is now 15).

Answer 4

Bin all toys that are broking or parts missing. All toys that are in good shape then take them to a charity shop for no:1 less fortunate children get joy out of them and at the same time the Charity can make extra money for there charity

Answer 5

You can donate them to hospitals. That why children at the hospital can have some toys to play, women shelters, most women and children in shelter have escaped from an abusive situaton with little, so the toys will be so appreicated by the mothers and children.
You will feel good about where the toys are going and the people recieving them will be greatful.

Answer 6

If your son is involved in the giving away process, then both of you go to the local Support Centre, you know, Salvos, or some such, and go through the process of wrapping the old toys. You'r son will undestand the meaning of helping others and feel happy to have helped

If your son isn't involved the load them in the back of your SUV and dump them infront of any roadside slum house. Your son doesn't care what you do with that old crap.

Good Luck

Rod From OZ

Answer 7

When I was a child my mother used to take me to Bristol Cathedral where I added my 'old' toys to a collection beneath the Christmas tree. These used toys were donated to a local children's hospital.
You may find that a nursery school or creche would welcome the toys with open arms. Have a great Christmas, I wish there were more people like you around!

Answer 8

the ones that has a good memories about your son, clean and keep them; the others you donate for a charity. My next trip to India I will take more than 100 old toys of my girl to give to the poor children overthere, as i did once also.

Answer 9

There are some great suggestions already written here, so I won't repeat it all. But I do think that whatever you decide, getting your son involved is a fantastic thing to do. It can be a valuable learning opportunity for him...giving is better than receiving. And having him do some of the giving will reinforce that value far better than just telling him so.

God bless you for thinking about others at this time of year. Merry Christmas to you and your family. : )

Answer 10

Donate them to a Childrens' Hospital, or a playgroup, or a preschool or childcare centre. You could also give them directly to a needy family with kids the appropriate age if you know one. My daughter is always asking if she can give this or that to the little girl next door who doesn't seem to have a much as some.