As children outgrow toys, it can be difficult for them to say goodbye and it can be hard for parents to decide exactly what to do with them. To help children get over parting with toys, it’s a good idea to go through them all together and explain that if they want new toys, they need to part with older ones. Once you have established which toys need to go, it can be a challenge to find the proper place to set them into the wild. Here are a few tips for recycling toys and bring joy to other children for years to come.
Community
Probably the easiest way to get rid of unnecessary toys is to donate them to a friend or family member with younger children. You can also make a swap with other families if you know a family with children of appropriate ages. Many churches offer Sunday School and babysitting services. If they are unable to accept your donation, they may be able to suggest a family in the community that is experiencing a hardship and would gladly accept a toy donation. You can call around to other churches that you do not belong to, of course. Giving toys to a family or organization that your child visits may make the process easier for them to accept and understand.
Second-Hand Toys
You can, of course, try to sell items at a garage sale, internet site or consignment shop and make a few extra dollars to earn back your investment. If you plan to donate or sell toys make sure that the items meet the criteria of the recently-passed law from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Under this law, even toys sold at a garage sale or at second hand stores must not exceed the level of contaminants. The Wall Street Journal has a comprehensive article about this law and its impact on reselling items.
Once you have verified that your items are safe, there are a variety of options available. The easiest option is to donate your unwanted items to a reputable, non-profit thrift stores, including the Salvation Army, Goodwill or DAV. You will probably want to call and ask to verify that they accept the type of toys that you want to donate. Be sure to ask about your tax-deductible status for your donation.
Other Charities
Ronald McDonald House is a great charity that helps to support families of seriously ill children. When you donate used toys to this organization, you can provide enjoyment and a sense of normalcy to children whose siblings are hospitalized. Click here to learn more about donating toys to your local chapter of the Ronald McDonald House.
Operation Joys with Toys (a part of Operation Give) is another worthy charity that accepts used toys, especially dolls and stuffed animals, and gives them to needy children in war-torn Iraq. Unless you live in Salt lake City, items bust be shipped to their facilities. This method may be slightly financially costly, but I think it will make the biggest impact on lives.
