Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ideas

[luvsJack]

Not wanting to really discuss whether doing these shoeboxes is good or bad or what anyone thinks about them.

What I AM looking for is ideas. I want to do boxes for the 10-14 year olds range. Hoping to do 2 boxes for boys and 2 for girls.

I will get hard candy, toothbrush and paste, and soap. Hair doo-dads for the girls and brushes and combs for both. And school supplies for both girls and boys.

Any other ideas for these ages?

TIA

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I get my niece and nephew each a cereal variety pack every year to go in. they love them! They can choose which ones to have every day! I also got them last year those sippy bowls that are a cereal bowl with a straw built in so you can drink the milk. Again they loved them! They are already hinting for this year!

 

[luvmyfam444]

maybe a deck of cards?
what about some of those rainbow loom bracelets premade.
a book?
a small football/bouncy ball
anything glittery for the girls

That is the hardest age to pick.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

I always do a couple of 10-14 boy boxes. Some ideas I've done in the past:

soccer balls (deflate them) and handheld pump
small tools
bungee cords
duct tape
hot wheel cars
solar or crank flashlights
fishing kits (hooks, line, corks)
small string bag to carry school supplies in
hats/gloves/tshirt/socks
bandanas
cups/bowl/plastic silverware
water bottles



For girls:

a lot of the same items would work for boys or girls. In addition, maybe:

sewing kits
craft supplies
crochet hooks
fabric

I love shoeboxes in case you can't tell. We also did some for Spirit Lake Ministries in North Dakota this year. Same concept but for children on the Native American reservations. Don't want to post the link because it is a religious organization but if anyone is interested they can google and get details.

 

[luvsJack]

maybe a deck of cards?
what about some of those rainbow loom bracelets premade.
a book?
a small football/bouncy ball
anything glittery for the girls

That is the hardest age to pick.

It so is the hardest age. They say its also the age group that gets the least amount of boxes so they tend to run short.

I was thinking about books but wondered about there being a language barrier for some of the kids.

I will set dd to work on the rainbow bracelets! good idea!

 

[luvsJack]

I always do a couple of 10-14 boy boxes. Some ideas I've done in the past:

soccer balls (deflate them) and handheld pump
small tools
bungee cords
duct tape
hot wheel cars
solar or crank flashlights
fishing kits (hooks, line, corks)
small string bag to carry school supplies in
hats/gloves/tshirt/socks
bandanas
cups/bowl/plastic silverware
water bottles



For girls:

a lot of the same items would work for boys or girls. In addition, maybe:

sewing kits
craft supplies
crochet hooks
fabric

I love shoeboxes in case you can't tell. We also did some for Spirit Lake Ministries in North Dakota this year. Same concept but for children on the Native American reservations. Don't want to post the link because it is a religious organization but if anyone is interested they can google and get details.

Thanks! Those are great ideas! Never thought about a deflated ball and pump!

I will definitely google Spirit Lake. Sounds like something I would definitely be interested in doing.

 

[powellrj]

We did our boxes last month because our next meeting will be after the date the boxes need to be sent. This is also the age group we sent to.

Most of the things we sent have already been mentioned, but we also did stickers, school supplies, note paper, those fold up shopping bags, gum, those little wooden airplanes, yo-yos. We were also told to make sure we bag the soap, toothpaste and candy in ziploc baggies so the smells don't intermingle.

 

[Granny square]

Wallet
Duct tape
Shorts
Tees
Socks
Fishing tackle
Hackie sack
Paper
Pens
Flashlight
Batteries
Bandana
Hat


Bag
Tanks/tees
Tights
Ribbon
Nail stickers
Flashlight and batteries
Journal
Tiny stuffed thing (I'd say that for the boys too.) a comfort or a gift for someone else

 

[Granny square]

No Irish spring!! It stinks up the whole box!!

 

[powellrj]

No Irish spring!! It stinks up the whole box!!

LOL, I always go with Ivory because its gentle and it doesn't smell as bad!

 

[princesspiglet]

I get my niece and nephew each a cereal variety pack every year to go in. they love them! They can choose which ones to have every day! I also got them last year those sippy bowls that are a cereal bowl with a straw built in so you can drink the milk. Again they loved them! They are already hinting for this year!

What? I'm confused on this. We aren't allowed to give them any food except hard candy.

Anyways, I pack several boxes every year and this is usually what we put in:

Package of multi-colored Sharpies
Travel sewing kit (10-14 girl)
Hair ribbons
Ponytail holders
Barrettes
Small pots/pans with spatula
Bangle bracelets
Clip-on earrings
Doll
Pom poms (like the ones used at football games)
Purse
Hand mirror (unbreakable)
Comb
Brush
Dental floss
Mild soap (Please put in plastic bag or travel container.)
Toothpaste (This too! Be sure it’s in a plastic bag.)
Toothbrush
Colorful bandages
Hand wipes
Small pack colorful tissues
Lip balm
Emery board/nail clippers
Hard candy, gum (Please remember to double bag all candy!)
Pencils, colored pencils, and sharpener
Erasers
Pencil case
Crayons
Pens
A personal letter and photo
Ruler
Glue stick
Safety scissors
Coloring book
Markers
Notepads
Stickers
Self-inking stamp

 

[Granny square]

LOL, I always go with Ivory because its gentle and it doesn't smell as bad!

I do too I love the smell of ivory

The Irish spewing makes the candy taste like soap:/

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

LOL, I always go with Ivory because its gentle and it doesn't smell as bad!

And, it's great for kids bathing in rivers because it floats.

 

[mumto3girls]

Oldest DD and I went to a packing party this weekend. For the older boys we did balls, yo-yo's, tShirts, small etch a sketch/magna doodles and went heavier on the school supplies. Someone at the party said they found solar calculators at the dollar store. I thought that was a great idea and wish I would have thought of it when we were shopping.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

For girls I would say nail polish, makeup, makeup removers wipes, hair accessories, and maybe a diary.

 

[powellrj]

I think a few of the poster aren't sure what the operation christmas child project is based on their answers. You are limited in what you can send.
For what its worth, here is the list of what you can and can't send.

Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as dolls, toy trucks, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.
School Supplies: Pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
Hygiene Items: Toothbrush, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
Accessories: T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries).
A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may write back.
Do Not Include: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

 

[ReneeA]

Subbing. I always donate to our inner city Detroit church, but may be looking to branch out a bit on our donations.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

I love shoeboxes in case you can't tell. We also did some for Spirit Lake Ministries in North Dakota this year. Same concept but for children on the Native American reservations. Don't want to post the link because it is a religious organization but if anyone is interested they can google and get details.

I may have to do this one! Thanks for mentioning it.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

We do Operation Christmas Joy for a group in Panama. It is a religious organization, but if you google Operation Christmas Joy Panama it's the first thing that pops up.

I usually pick the younger children and I have found that birthday party favor type toys are good. Bracelets and hair things for girls, kazoos, children's books in Spanish, t-shirts, socks.

Sent from me.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Boys that age still like things they can have fun with. Balls are great, even if they take a lot of the room. Try to pick items that will hold up, not the cheapest things available. When they know that there is nothing more to receive, it's really disappointing to have things break right away. even older girls like markers and books to color. Avoid other books for kids this age.