OT - What to do with unwanted toys???

[tjlovespooh]

DS's 2nd b-day is right around the corner so between that and the upcoming holidays I desperately need to liquidate a good amount of toys that he no longer uses. I just don't know what to do with them??? I loathe the idea of trashing them, especially since most are still nearly new. It just seems wasteful to me. DS is the youngest in mine and DH's family so I have no-one to pass them onto (our friend's children are all older too).
How do other parents handle toy recylcling? Are there any organizations that accept used toys?

 

[ekball]

If you are like me - have no patience (or time) to put together a tag/yard/garage sale, then definitely donate them! Plenty of kiddos out there who would love your used toys. I take mine to either the Salvation Army (they have a local store) or Good Will. They are happy to take them!

 

[red_velvet_rose]

craigslist or freecycle would work too.

Heck, if there's any My Little Ponies in there, I'll take 'em off your hands.

Rose

 

[LadyShea]

We have a store run by the local rescue mission as well as a Salvation Army store, both of which can hardly keep nice toys on the shelves. I donate all old toys and clothes to them; it's a tax deduction for us, and allows many families in the area to buy toys on a tight budget, and funds the programs offered through the organization, so all around works out well!

 

[megthewonderful]

The Salvation Army gladly accepts gently used toys.
As mentioned in a previous post, any donations to the Salvation Army can be used as a tax donation as well.
I liquidate toys a few times a year as well, but I make sure to save a few for my kids in case they ever want to reminisce in the future!

 

[jcc0621]

We usually give DS's used but in good condtion toys to his daycare. They use them in the age appropriate rooms. How about contacting a local Domestic Violence Shelter?

 

[2poohbears]

I have donated to several places over the years...

Salvation Army
Children's Hospital
Battered Women's Shelter

FYI - My children received services through Early Intervention programs in our state when they were babies/toddlers because they were preemies and needed help with motor skills. Through talking with our Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist I learned that many of the kids they work with do not have toys they can use between visits in order to help with their motor skills exercises. The families just don't have the money to spend. Our OT and PT had a few items they would leave at homes for a week or so at a time to try to help out - sometimes they even bought toys with their own money for those families. So when my boys were too old for the toys, I gave away those that were most helpful with fine and gross motor skills to the therapists so they could get them to children who really needed them. Even something as simple as those wooden puzzles with knobs can do wonders for fine motor skills! If you wanted to do something like that you could probably contact your local office for Early Intervention Services or contact your school board office to ask how to get in touch with them. Of course, you don't get a tax write off donating this way.

 

[Darcy03231]

I donated mine to:

Local children's home
Local mission that services our community
Local women's shelter; and
Local teenage mother shelter.

Our SA ships everything out of state so I really didn't want to donate there, although I would as a last resort.

 

[drivencrazy]

Santa's Workshop. Look it up and see if there is one by you. We do this every year, take our gently used toys and they are given to children and their familys that can not afford toys and such! Our local news usually does a story on this and helps sponser it.

 

[daisyduck123]

How do other parents handle toy recylcling?

I had a joint yard sale at my mother's house last month.
We made $900.00!
Over $100.00 of that was just in toys.

 

[MSSANDRA]

All great suggestions. One more is your local Social Services officel. Often there are really long waits with nothing for the children to do. They also love children's books as they just do not last long there.

 

[disney_fan_fam]

I can so relate, my dd 2nd bday's coming up too.

I donate ours too, & they come and pick it up at my house Other items I've donated them to our church nursery.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I don't like to donate to organizations that sell their donations (Goodwill, etc.). I also have known people that work at the local Goodwill, and some of the employees keep the "good stuff" for themselves.

I prefer to donate to shelters or children's homes that just give the toys to those who need them.

 

[tadamom]

I love the idea that 2poohbears had about the Early Intervention places. My nephew went through this b/c he was delayed after having open heart surgery @ 8 weeks old. The therapists that visited him left the toys for him to use between visits.

I would check there, churches, preschools, daycares and there is also freecycle.

 

[Princess Roo]

-Children's day shelters (or women's shelters that accept children)
-Whatever government organization oversees foster care in your area

 

[Aliceacc]

Try the pediatric ward of your local hospital. I know we donated a ton of kiddie videos one year (and a couple of "chick flicks" suitable for teenagers) and they were so thankful!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

-Salvation Army
-Homeless shelter
-Children's hospitals
-Call your county offices and see if there are foster homes that could use them. Many foster homes are in deep need for such things.
-Churches

It's very nice of you to be thinking of this. I work in the Human Service field and there is such a need. Even for simple things like toys!

 

[dyna]

I agree hospital an not only the Childrens hospital in your area but your local hospital as well as they do have a pediatric ward there as well.

At 2 it's not to hard to get kids to give up toys just kinda take while they not lookin an hide them lol later as my kids would say but I like all my toys I'd say well we have to either not get anymore toys for Christmas or we have to get rid of some an let them think it was gonna help another little girl that might not get as much. always had to clear out enough room to make room for the new that was coming in. Usually that was easy as there was always toys that was outgrown or soon would be.

 

[2poohbears]

Another tip---

Books and DVDs/Videos can be donated to your local library so your entire community of families would have access to them. Call to ask them if they only accept donations on certain days of the week, though.

 

[Elmo888]

Donate, consignment sales, and consignment stores.