Toy donation ideas this Christmas
We can only accept new toy donations and there are some types of gifts we cannot accept at all, such clothes and second-hand toys.
We have put together a list to give you an idea of what you could donate for our young patients, and some guidance about what we can and cannot accept. Please note all toys must be marked with the new British Kite Mark. If you are unsure of whether or not a donation will be acceptable please give us a call on 0300 102 4102. Items should not be gift wrapped.
Our patients are aged 0 to 16 and we are often short of gifts for teenagers, who take as much pleasure in a gift as our younger patients. In addition to the items below, we also offer the option for you to donate virtual gifts so that we can ensure that all our patients receive gifts appropriate for them. You can find virtual gifts and other toys in our online shop here
Toy donation ideas for babies
- Musical toys
- Sensory toys
- Rattles
- Soft books
Toy donation ideas for young children
- Sensory toys
- Musical toys
- Art and craft sets - we really can't get enough!
- Board games
- Jigsaws and puzzles
- Plastic toys – Must be brand new and still in their packaging
- Themed toys – e.g. Disney, Peppa Pig, Pokémon, Marvel
Toy donation ideas for teenager
- Art and craft sets
- Books and comics
- Journals, notebooks, stationery
- Games consoles and gadgets
- Online gift vouchers for downloading music or games
Toys and gift donations, we cannot accept
As mentioned above, we can’t accept certain toys, games and gifts due to health and safety and infection control regulations. The gifts we can’t accept are:
- Second-hand toys - these can be accepted at our charity shops in Old Swan and Huyton
- Clothes - these can be accepted at our charity shops in Old Swan and Huyton
- Large items
- Food items without an ingredient list
- If your donation is unsuitable for a patient gift, please contact us if you would like to donate it to our charity shop instead.
If your business wishes to organise a toy donation or gift collection on behalf of Alder Hey patients, please contact us in advance so we can help you arrange it. We are always grateful to the many businesses and organisations who donate to Alder Hey or visit Corporate fundraising page.
If you have a product or service that you wish to donate to us as fundraising prizes or to use for our charity auctions, contact us today.
Toy donations are a lovely way to contribute towards Alder Hey Children’s Charity as they not only help to put a smile on the faces of the children in our care, but they can also boost morale and brighten up the children’s wards – something that is reassuring for their families. We get a lot of questions about what you can and can’t donate to our cause in terms of toys and other gifts. Whether you want to donate toys for Christmas or simply want to know where you can get involved in toy donations throughout the UK, we’ve put together a list of FAQs to make it clear:
Can I donate toys and games?
We do not accept soft toy donations due to issues with infection control, but other toys and games are welcome as long as they are new. We accept toy donations for children of all ages, from young children in the hospital to teenagers who also need round the clock care. Please consider all age groups when choosing your donation.
Where do I donate my toys?
Simply get in touch with us where we will give you the information needed to donate your toy. Please contact us so that we can arrange to accommodate your delivery and arrange quarantine. You can also donate gifts in bulk to our charity – we arrange a large collection of toys from businesses all over the UK that want to donate to our hospital. Get in touch if you would like your business or organisation to be a part of this.
What makes suitable toys for charity?
Although second hand toys should go to a good home, unfortunately we can only accept new toys to the hospital, so please remember this is you’re looking to donate used toys. Our charity shops in Old Swan and Huyton will happily accept your used toy donations, so you can still support Alder Hey with your pre-loved toys. Please contact our shop to arrange delivery.
For more information about how we manage toy donations at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, then please do not hesitate to contact us.