Many Seattle-area families are in need 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. You can help by donating toys and cash. 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.
Get kids involved in the process of choosing a gift for another child. You might even make a game out of it, as one family we know did: Each person was given a budget. They spread out in a toy store and go to town, seeing who could come up with the “best” gift for the money (subjective, of course). Consider shopping at an independent toy store in Seattle to spread the community giving. 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. For a list of all the places you can drop off toys, go to the Toys for Toys toy donation page and simply put in your zip code.
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, or at any of our many partner locations https://www.kiro7.com/toydrive/
- From November 20th, -December 7th, drop off a new, unwrapped toy with your admission to the Seattle Christmas Market and receive a coupon for a free admission for a return visit! (Participants who donate one (1) new, unwrapped toy at the Seattle Christmas Market in connection with the KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive, benefitting Toys for Tots and The Salvation Army, will receive one (1) complimentary general admission ticket for a future visit to the 2025 Seattle Christmas Market (Nov 20 – Dec 24, 2025). Limit one (1) toy donation and one (1) complimentary ticket per person. Complimentary tickets are valid for a single entry during the 2025 operating season only, are non-transferable, have no cash value, and will not be replaced, reissued, or refunded if lost, stolen, or unused. Tickets may not be sold or combined with any other offer or promotion. Donations must be received no later than Saturday, December 7, 2025, and this offer is subject to availability while supplies last. All toy donations collected will be distributed to Toys for Tots and The Salvation Army. The Seattle Christmas Market reserves the right to amend, suspend, or terminate this promotion at any time without prior notice.)
- On November 22nd, from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Albert Lee in Southcenter, purchase and drop off a toy at Albert Lee’s Holiday Kickoff Celebration Event! See holiday cooking demos, get a photo with Santa, enjoy a hot cocoa & cider bar, and the first 50 kids who RSVP will get a spot at a free holiday cookie decorating class, complete with supplies! RSVP at www.albertlee.biz.
- Friday, December 5th is our big give day! Drop off a toy at any Western Washington Fred Meyer location, call (206) 217-1237 on Friday, December 5th, only to make a donation, or donate any time directly to The Salvation Army.
- You can also purchase a toy online and have it sent directly to the KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive: 2807 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98121
KOMO Toy Drive
Celebrating its 31st year, the KOMO News toy drive is helping spread the holiday spirit to local military families in need. KOMO is partnering with Santa’s Castle to celebrate the holidays and help local kids.
- Make an online monetary donation and see where you can shop and send gifts directly to Santa’s Castle.
- Drop off new, unwrapped toys, books, games, or bikes to our community partners: Any Titus-Will Automotive Group dealership
Federal Way Cares for Kids
This nonprofit serves families in the Federal Way School District. It will distribute toys for kids in grades K through 5. Check the organization’s website for drop-off locations, or check out its Amazon wish list. You can also purchase 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.
Seattle Storm Toy Drive
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. If you do not have an Amazon account, please consider making a cash donation here. Your donation will help purchase items such as toys, toiletries and gift cards for patients at Seattle Children’s and its clinics all year round.
Kidzz Helping Kidzz Toy Drive
Last year, Kidzz Helping Kidzz collected thousands of Christmas toy donations for children in the hospital by putting out toy donation collection boxes out in numerous communities. Toys should be new or used in good condition and appropriate for kids aged 2-16 years old. Suggested items are Kindles, Nooks, and 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. Donations for Christmas will be accepted from November 17 to December 18, 2025. You can mail toy donations any time of year, see address on the website
The Seattle Times Fund for the Needy
It’s not a toy drive, but it is a drive that helps improve the lives of families, and nonprofit organizations that support them, including Akin, Hopelink, Atlantic Street Center, Kindering, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and more. To make a donation, go to the fund website.
