| So your child has outgrown his toys. There just | | | | are great recipients of used toys. Because of the |
| doesn't seem to be enough space in his room for his | | | | many children who reside in these places, it seems |
| birthday gift toys. How about the basement or attic? | | | | like they could always be in need of more toys. |
| Is there space there to pack up and store his toys? | | | | Schools |
| Rather than going the "hoarders" route or the | | | | Your child might enjoy giving his unwanted toys to |
| "wasteful throw it away" path, how about trying the | | | | his school. Classes for Special Needs children are |
| recycle option? Are you aware that there are children | | | | often in need of developmental toys that can be |
| who would love to play with your child's discarded | | | | used to teach different skills. And with all the budget |
| toys? Your child's old toys are another child's new | | | | cuts that school districts are experiencing, recycled |
| toys! Of course, this article refers to your child's toys | | | | toys would be greatly appreciated! |
| that are in good, playable condition, not broken. While | | | | Family Shelters and Battered Women's Shelters |
| these toys are used, they are also in a condition | | | | Homeless shelters are very worthy recipient of toys. |
| which will allow them to be used again. I am not | | | | Children living in shelters are already feeling the |
| referring to broken toys, Trucks with two wheels | | | | anguish associated with not having a home of their |
| missing, dolls with limbs missing, or puzzles with pieces | | | | own. Your child's unwanted toys could make a big |
| missing do not qualify! | | | | difference to these children. Remember that your |
| Once you identify that your child no longer plays with | | | | child's old toys will be new toys to other children! |
| a particular toy, why not take advantage of this | | | | High School and College Day Cares |
| occasion to encourage your child to be generous by | | | | A lot of high schools and colleges have day care |
| donating the toy to a good cause? You might be | | | | drop-offs for parents who are students. Donating |
| pleasantly surprised to find that your child will be | | | | your child's unwanted toys to these day cares |
| more than willing to part with an outgrown toy, | | | | guarantees that your child's toys will either be used |
| knowing that other little girls and boys would be | | | | at the day care or given to a child in need of toys. |
| delighted to receive the toy. Your child might actually | | | | Rummage Sales |
| come to you on his own and let you know of other | | | | More and more organizations are having "White |
| toys he'd like to share with other children. | | | | Elephant Sales" so that they can donate the |
| So, now that you have an outgrown toy (or better | | | | proceeds to worthy charities. These rummages |
| yet, a pile of outgrown toys!) where do you donate | | | | benefit organizations that need funding. What better |
| it/them? | | | | place to donate your child's unwanted toys! |
| Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Other Charity Stores | | | | Local Pediatricians Office |
| When you give to an organization like Goodwill or | | | | It is not uncommon to go to a waiting room in a |
| Salvation Army, you are almost giving twice! You not | | | | pediatrician's office and see bored children. Parents |
| only get the satisfaction of knowing that your child's | | | | should always take books and small toys with them |
| toy is going to be enjoyed by another child, but you | | | | to their child's doctor's appointments, but the |
| also get the satisfaction of knowing that the charity | | | | majority do not. Pediatrician's waiting rooms are yet |
| employs people to run the organization. | | | | another place that would benefit from your child's |
| Library | | | | unwanted toys. |
| Of course, the public library system is a great place | | | | Garage Sales |
| for children to be exposed to books. But did you | | | | Perhaps your child has outgrown some of his toys |
| know that many libraries also have "toy check-outs"? | | | | and would like to save his money so that he can get |
| These toy check-outs work the same way book | | | | a new toy or two. While this instance is not quite like |
| check-outs work. And they are great, free ways for | | | | donating/giving away the toy, it is a good time to |
| your child to experience new toys and puzzles. | | | | teach your child the skills of saving and recycling. |
| Donating your child's toy to your local library is great | | | | Rather than your child simply throwing away his |
| even if your library doesn't have a toy check-out. | | | | unwanted toy, he can help sell his toys at a garage |
| Your library probably has a children's section which | | | | sale and then save up his money. |
| has a toy box of some sort. | | | | This article has (hopefully) given you some ideas of |
| Hospital | | | | places you could recycle your child's gently used, |
| A great way to recycle your child's unwanted toys is | | | | unwanted toys. Remember that the toy may be old |
| to donate them to the children's ward at your local | | | | to its current owner, but to another boy or girl it will |
| hospital. When children are in the hospital for long or | | | | be a new toy. By recycling your child's toy, everyone |
| short stays, it's always nice for them to have access | | | | wins. Your child can experience generosity, the new |
| to new (to them!) toys. | | | | recipient will get hours of playing, and even the |
| Charities | | | | environment will benefit as less toys will make their |
| Places like Boys Town or Ronald McDonald Houses | | | | ways to landfills. |