Let’s talk about holiday toy drives.
Many Seattle-area families are in need of many things. Toys and gifts for kids are one area that can really tug at the heartstrings, but lots of good people are working hard to make sure that kids will get gifts during the holiday season. They need our help, though.
In most cases, this is not a time when you go through your closet and get rid of hand-me-downs (here are ideas for that). Instead, it’s an opportunity to think about a child or perhaps a few kids and purchase a specific present with them in mind.
Donating toys can be a fun holiday activity and a great lesson for kids. Get them involved in the process of choosing a gift for another child.
We know one family who made a game out of it: Each person was given a budget, and they’d spread out in a popular, large toy retailer and go to town, seeing who could come up with the “best” gift for the money (subjective, of course).
Here are some of the holiday toy drives we’ve heard about. If you know of anything else, please reach out to editor@seattleschild.com.
Toys for Tots
Toys for Tots is one of the biggies, run by Santa’s helpers in the U.S. Marines, with collection points spread far and wide. A gift of money is also a great (safe) way to go.
The Seattle Fire Department is partnering with the Toys for Tots drive. The department will collect new, unwrapped toys on Sunday, December 10, at these five Seattle fire stations and times:
11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
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- Station 32 in West Seattle (4700 38th Ave. SW)
- Station 41 in Magnolia (2316 34th Ave. W)
2 and 4 p.m.
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- Station 25 in Capitol Hill (1300 E. Pine St.)
- Station 38 near Sand Point (4004 NE 55th St.)
- Station 18 in Ballard (1521 NW Market St.)
KIRO-7 Cares Toy Drive
Donate a new, unwrapped toy to the KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive, benefitting The Salvation Army and Toys for Tots. Salvation Army and other local nonprofit agencies will distribute toys to local children and families. The most needed toy donations include items for babies, girls, and boys aged 9-13 and items for pre-teens and teens. Suggested teen items include sporting equipment, skateboards, books, cosmetic and bath gift sets, board games, remote control toys, and video games. How to deliver:
- Drop off your donation at any Albert Lee Appliance.
- On December 8, drop off a toy at participating Fred Meyer locations.
- You can also purchase a toy online and send it directly to KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive, 2807 3rd Avenue, Seattle.
- Or, call and make a donation, or donate directly to The Salvation Army HERE.
KOMO Toy Drive 2023
Participate in the KOMO News toy drive this year and spread the holiday spirit to families in local military families in need. KOMO is partnering with Santa’s Castle to celebrate the holidays and help local kids. You can donate online or drop off new unwrapped toys at Ford of Kirkland Hyundai of Kirkland until December 9.
STAR 101.5 Toy Drive
Help make a difference in a child’s life through the station’s annual Toy Drive this holiday season. The toy drive begins on December 8, but you can donate now through the KIRO7 toy drive page. Or click here for a list of physical donation drop-off locations in December. One final way to give a toy: Scan the code below to give:
Star 101 toy drive scan
Les Schwab Q13 FOX Drive
All 84 Western Washington Les Schwab Tire Centers offer donation drop-offs of new and unwrapped toys between now and December 15. December 12, FOX 13 will be dedicating their airwaves to the toy drive all morning. FOX 13, together with Les Schwab, will be collecting toys at the Tukwila location.
Toy ‘N Joy Donation Drive
Here, radio station WARM 106.9 creates holiday magic for local kids by donating new, unwrapped toys or cash at your neighborhood Bartell Drugs through December 3. Donations of toys and gift cards are much appreciated. Click here to Find a Store!
Federal Way Cares for Kids
This nonprofit serves families in the Federal Way School District. It will distribute toys for kids ages 3-11 (drop off at South King Fire & Rescue locations or purchase via Amazon wish list) and gift cards for adolescents and teens. In addition, it has a cool program in which you can “sponsor Christmas morning” with a donation via PayPal or Venmo.
Help the Seattle Storm meet its goal of helping kids in the hospital find comfort and joy in new toys and essential items throughout the year. To help, please visit the Storm’s Amazon Wish List to ship items directly to the hospital. Remember to use your Amazon Smile account; a percentage of your purchase will further support Seattle Children’s. If you do not have an Amazon account, please consider making a cash donation to the Child Life Toy Fund, which allows the hospital to purchase items throughout the year.
Kidzz Helping Kidzz Toy Drive
Last year, Kidzz Helping Kidzz collected over 7,000 Christmas toy donations for children in the hospital by putting out toy donation collection boxes out in numerous communities. This year’s goal is at least 5,000 children by donating new, unused toys. Toys should be appropriate for kids aged 2-16 years old. Favorites include Kindles, Nooks, books, Games and puzzles, Chromebooks or tablets, Legos, art supplies, and sports equipment. Drop off new toys at any of the many donation sites listed on the group’s toy donation page. Or, send by mail to Kidzz Helping Kidzz, 10855 Silverdale Way NW #2224, Silverdale.
Tevin’s Adaptive Toy Drive — help adapt toys for kids with special needs
Join the effort to adapt toys for kids with special needs at this special event on December 10. No experience adapting toys is necessary; you’ll learn everything you need to know during the workshop as you adapt a toy you bring. What toys are adaptable?
- Be sure a toy is battery operated (does not plug into the wall),
- Toys should. be a “cause-and-effect toy,” which does something special when the child interacts with it
- Toys should have a button in the hand/leg/stomach/ear, or any other body part
- It has an On-Off Switch.
What toys fit those rules? Browse a list of adaptable toys on Tevin’s Amazon List here.
