Make a Difference by Giving Toys
As the holiday season approaches, many people are planning Christmas lists for their kids, grandkids, and family members. But let’s not forget that there are many people who don’t have anything extra to spend on gifts under the tree. One of the things I have done for many years is stock up on gifts throughout the year so I can share them with others as we get close to the Christmas season. If you are looking for a way to make a difference, start thinking today about what you will do to share with others.
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Make a Difference by Giving Toys
Remember to Shop the Sales
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about how much extra you can afford to give this holiday season. With Black Friday sales ramping up, start watching for the deals and discounts so you can buy smart. I have been adding to my donation closet all year long and am excited to share these gifts in a few weeks.
Think about Batteries
When you are gifting toys to people who may be in a tough spot financially, think strategically about what you give. Don’t assume that the family will have access to batteries. If your toy does require batteries, remember to drop in an extra pack.
Every child loves to play house. This Rock N Slide House has 8 different rooms decorated for children to play like a rockstar, actor, or at the beach. I can’t wait to share this with a local family. Don’t you love thinking about the squeals of excitement as this gets played with for hours on Christmas day?
Celebrate the holiday season with a dollhouse that comes alive with music! The enchanting dollhouse comes to life with fun music and sound effects that will entertain your kids for hours. So much to do and so much to play with more than 25 accessories, just place the figures on the special pressure pads to enable the fun music and sound effects!
Order The Hape house on Amazon
Pick Toys for a Wide Age Range
Toys that can be enjoyed by a wide age range are going to provide more playtime than something that is geared specifically for one age. Easy magnetic building toys are always a great gift that allows builders to unlock creativity. The Clixo magnet toy sets are perfect for kids and parents to enjoy together and build memories.
The flexible pieces combine the magic of origami with the power of magnets to let kids build an infinite number of creations. With its stackable packing design and magnets keeping the pieces together with a click, Clixo is the perfect toy for kids and parents. It’s travel-friendly, mess-free, screen-free, and eco-friendly!
Buy on Amazon
Provide Imagination Opportunities
When our kids were small, our favorite toys were roads, bridges, train tracks, and cities. There’s something so fun about toys that allow you to build your own world. The Super Cityscape Transport Bucket Set is just the kind of toy that we would have had spread all over the living room. With 80-pieces that include a freight train with two carriages, a light-up inter-city battery-powered train with two passenger cars, a fire truck, a crane, a taxi, and even a plane, this set has everything needed to build a city from imagination. With multiple ways to configure the wooden train track, the bucket set encourages fun engineering and imaginative play for little ones to explore.
Books for Everyone
Books are always a good option. I will always remember my days as a high school student spending time in the school library flipping through National Geographic magazines and learning about other cultures and people groups. For the past several years, I have worked with National Geographic to provide books to families in the area each holiday season. Each National Geographic book is filled with amazing facts that fascinate readers young and old. Pick up an assortment of these books and share them with families.
- For the Dinosaur Obsessed: National Geographic Kids Dinosaur Atlas
- For the Armchair Traveler: Big Book of W.O.W. (Wonders of Our World)
- For the Star Gazer: Can’t Get Enough Space Stuff
- For the Young Foodie: National Geographic Kids Ultimate Food Atlas
- For the Animal Lover: 5,000 Awesome Facts (About Animals)and Little Kids First Big Book of Baby Animals
- For Fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series: Zeus the MIghty: The Epic Escape from the Underworld
- For the Screen-Obsessed: Critter Chat
Stocking Stuffers — sized just right!:
- For the Outdoor Explorer: Little Kids First Nature Guide: Bugs
- For the Family Jokester:Just Joking 7
Where to Donate Toys
If you look around you, there are many places to donate toys and make a difference during the holiday season. You can participate in the local Angel Tree programs, listen for information about toy drives, or fill up shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Sharing toys and giving to others is always a good thing but during the holiday season, it just hits a little more special, don’t you agree?
