Where to Donate Used Toys: 16 Charities & Places
Find the best places to donate gently used toys to help children in need.
Where to Donate Used Toys: 16 Charities & Places to Consider
When children outgrow their toys or you’re looking to declutter your home, donating gently used toys is a wonderful way to give back to your community while reducing waste. Numerous nonprofits and organizations accept toy donations and use them in meaningful ways to support children and families in need. Whether you prefer dropping off donations in person or scheduling a convenient home pickup, there are many options available to suit your needs.
Why Donate Used Toys?
Many types of nonprofits accept donations of gently used toys and put them to excellent use. Understanding how your donations help can motivate you to give more generously.
How nonprofits use toy donations:
- Selling the donated toys and using the proceeds to support badly needed programming or cash transfers to help low-income families buy toys for their children
- Distributing the toys directly to underprivileged kids
- Making toys available to children who use their services, providing a source of comfort or entertainment during potentially difficult times
Keep in mind that you don’t have to choose just one recipient organization. You can divide your toy donations among as many nonprofit organizations as you like, spreading the impact of your generosity.
Major National Organizations
1. Goodwill
Goodwill is one of the most well-known and accessible places to donate used toys. The organization accepts donations of toys, games, and sporting equipment for children of all ages. Goodwill stores operate across the country, making it convenient to find a location near you.
Donation requirements: Donations should be in good condition. However, Goodwill rarely denies donations unless the products are unsafe or have been recalled.
How to donate: Simply drop off your used toys at your local Goodwill donation center. You can find your nearest location using the store locator on Goodwill’s website. This straightforward process takes just a few minutes.
2. The Salvation Army
Like Goodwill, The Salvation Army resells all kinds of home goods, including toys, in their thousands of nationwide thrift stores. Donating your gently used toys to The Salvation Army enables low-income families to shop for inexpensive toys their children can play with.
Impact of your donation: The proceeds from the sale of donations fund the Salvation Army’s charitable programs, specifically supporting adult rehabilitation centers that help individuals with drug and alcohol addiction overcome their addictions, build work skills, and restore their families.
What they accept: The Salvation Army accepts gently used toys of all kinds, including games, sporting equipment, electronics, and bicycles.
Donation options: You can drop off your toys yourself at a local donation center, which you can find by searching the Salvation Army’s thrift stores website. Alternatively, you can schedule a home pickup. Simply enter your zip code on their site, list your donations for pickup, and select a convenient pickup date.
3. AMVETS National Service Foundation
AMVETS is another excellent national organization that accepts a wide variety of donations, including toys and games. The organization’s mission focuses on supporting veterans and their families through various charitable programs.
What they accept: Beyond toys and games, AMVETS accepts clothing and shoes, jewelry, appliances, furniture, housewares, seasonal decorations, books, electronics, bedding, bicycles, and sports equipment.
How to donate: Visit the AMVETS donation pickup information page to make arrangements. The website allows for scheduling in certain states. If you’re a resident of another state, call 866-294-4488 to see if the service is available in your area.
Specialized Children’s Organizations
4. Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE)
Stuffed Animals For Emergencies (SAFE) is a specialized organization dedicated to helping children who have experienced traumatic situations. All donations go directly to children living through fires, accidents, illness, neglect, abuse, homelessness, and natural disasters.
In areas with active SAFE chapters, you can send your donations and they will clean your stuffed animals and then find local places that can use them. However, be aware that SAFE currently only has chapters in four states: Florida, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.
You can also donate to an urgent need area, which is an area requesting donations that doesn’t have an active chapter. Currently, there are urgent need locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.
What they accept: SAFE accepts new or gently used stuffed animals (nothing battery-operated), books, coloring books and crayons, blankets, children’s clothes, and baby items.
5. The Arc
The Arc is a national organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They accept toy donations that support their programs and services.
Accepted items vary by chapter, but in general, chapters are likely to accept toys and games in good condition. To find out what they accept or to schedule a pickup, contact your local chapter, which you can find by visiting The Arc’s website.
6. Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Thrift Store
Despite its name, Vietnam Veterans of America resells all kinds of donated household goods, including donated toys, to generate funding for the VVA’s local, state, and national programs that support veterans and their families.
Easy online donation: Donating to ClothingDonations.org (which supports VVA) is super easy and convenient. Just visit the website and enter your postal code to schedule a free pickup. Then gather your donations, leave your labeled stuff outside your door, and someone from the organization will pick up your things.
Convenient Donation Services
7. Donation Town
If you’re looking for an easy way to connect with local charities who offer donation pickup services, Donation Town is an excellent resource. This online platform simplifies the donation process by connecting you with nearby organizations.
How it works: Simply fill in your zip code on the online site and get a list of local organizations that will pick up your toys for free. You can also schedule the pickup directly on the site.
Beyond toys: Donation Town also links you to charities that accept a wide variety of household items, such as children’s clothing, electronics, and furniture, making it a convenient option if you have more to donate than just toys.
8. PickUpMyDonation
PickUpMyDonation assists nonprofit thrift stores in your local area, allowing you to support causes that matter to you while enjoying convenient pickup services. The organization is currently available in 13 states.
Easy scheduling: You can schedule a pickup through their website, and within 24 hours, a truck will arrive for your donation of household goods, clothing, toys, electronics, and smaller furniture.
9. Pickup Please
Pickup Please makes it incredibly easy to donate your used items. The service handles the entire process from start to finish, leaving you with a convenient tax-deductible receipt.
Simple process: Gather your donations, schedule your pickup online, leave your labeled boxes outside your door, and within 24 hours, someone from the organization will come to get your unwanted items.
Service availability: Pickup Please is currently available in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
Community and Local Options
10. Local Thrift Stores
While national chains like Goodwill and The Salvation Army are convenient options, consider supporting locally owned thrift stores in your community instead. Local businesses often rely more heavily on donations and community support.
Important consideration: Some local thrift stores are for-profit operations, which means you won’t be able to take the charitable tax deduction for your donated items. However, donating to local thrift stores still gives your used toys a second life and keeps them out of the landfill while freeing up more storage space in your home.
11. Medical and Dental Offices
Healthcare professionals often appreciate toy donations for their waiting rooms, where children may feel anxious or scared. Toys can provide comfort and distraction during medical visits.
Where to ask: Check with your local doctor’s office to see what they need. You can also donate toys to dentists’ offices, orthodontists’ offices, and other specialists’ offices, such as mental health centers. Start with your own healthcare providers and see if they could use a donation of gently used toys for their waiting rooms.
12. Children’s Museums
Children’s museums welcome toy donations to support their educational programs and exhibits. Museums use donations to enhance their collections and provide enriching experiences for children.
Examples of participating museums: Some examples of U.S. children’s museums that welcome toy donations include the Strong Museum of Play, Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, and the North Platte Area Children’s Museum.
How to donate: If there’s a children’s museum in your area, contact it directly to see if it accepts donations and if there are any specific requirements for donated items.
13. Preschools, Daycares, and Nurseries
Local educational facilities often welcome donations to support their operations and enhance their classrooms. These organizations typically have ongoing needs for gently used items.
What they accept: Local preschools, day cares, and nurseries accept toys, high chairs, baby gyms, activity centers, diapers, wipes, cribs, blankets, and sheets.
Finding the right fit: Every preschool, daycare, or nursery has different needs, depending on their funding. If you have a lot of stuff to donate, consider contacting a local religious organization that may operate multiple facilities. If you’ve taken advantage of their free babysitting services in the past, it’s an especially nice way to give back.
14. Baby2Baby
Baby2Baby is a wonderful organization that collects donated goods and redistributes them to children who can use them. While their services were limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, they continue their mission of supporting vulnerable children.
Location and donation methods: Currently, there’s a main location at their headquarters near Los Angeles. You can mail donations there or organize a donation drive with friends. Bulk-mailing everything together allows you to do maximum good for children in need.
15. Habitat for Humanity ReStore
While Habitat for Humanity ReStore is primarily known for furniture and building materials, many locations also accept toy donations. The proceeds from sales support Habitat’s mission of building homes for low-income families.
Donation options: You can donate small items by dropping them off in person at your nearest Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which you can find by searching the store locator on the ReStore donation page.
Tips for Successful Toy Donations
When preparing your toy donations, keep these important tips in mind to ensure your gifts are well-received and put to good use:
- Check that toys are clean and in good working condition before donating
- Ensure all pieces and instructions are included when possible
- Verify that toys haven’t been recalled by checking consumer safety websites
- Remove batteries before donating battery-operated toys unless specified otherwise
- Call ahead if you have questions about specific items
- Request a tax receipt for your records if donating to a qualified charity
- Take photos of valuable donations for your tax records
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I donate toys that are missing pieces?
A: Most organizations prefer toys with all pieces included. However, it’s worth calling ahead to ask specific organizations about their policies. Some may accept incomplete toys if they’re still safe and playable.
Q: Are toy donations tax-deductible?
A: Donations to qualified charitable organizations (nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status) are typically tax-deductible. Keep receipts and take photos of valuable donations for your records. Local for-profit thrift stores won’t offer tax deductions.
Q: What should I do with recalled toys?
A: Do not donate recalled toys, as they may be unsafe for children. Consult the Consumer Product Safety Commission website to check if your toys have been recalled. It’s better to dispose of unsafe items properly.
Q: Can I schedule a pickup if I don’t live near a donation center?
A: Yes! Many organizations offer free home pickup services. Check websites like Donation Town, The Salvation Army, AMVETS, or PickUpMyDonation to see if pickup services are available in your area.
Q: Do I need to clean the toys before donating?
A: Yes, it’s respectful to clean toys before donating them. A simple wipe-down with a damp cloth is usually sufficient. This shows care for the organization and the children who will receive them.
Q: How quickly can I schedule a pickup?
A: Many services offer pickups within 24 hours to a few days of scheduling. Check with your chosen organization for their specific timeline, as availability may vary by location.
Making the Most of Your Donation
Donating used toys is a simple yet meaningful way to support children in your community and beyond. By choosing the right organization for your donations, you ensure that your gently used toys will have a positive impact on children’s lives. Whether you support major national organizations, specialized children’s charities, or local community groups, your generosity helps create a more equitable world for all children. Take time to explore the options available in your area, and don’t hesitate to reach out to organizations with questions about what they accept and how your donations will be used.
References
- Where to Donate Used Toys – 16 Charities & Places to Consider — Money Crashers. 2025. https://www.moneycrashers.com/where-donate-used-toys/
- Goodwill Industries International — Official Website. 2025. https://www.goodwill.org/
- The Salvation Army — Official Website. 2025. https://www.salvationarmy.org/
- AMVETS National Service Foundation — Official Website. 2025. https://www.amvets.org/
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Official Website. 2025. https://www.habitat.org/restore
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