A social media post has been doing the rounds recently that asks us to consider donating children’s games and toys to charity shops before the festive season. This makes them available to shoppers who are looking for sustainable, lower-cost Christmas gifts for kids.
It definitely makes sense to clear out some space in your home for Christmas gifts at this time of year!
What toys do charity shops want?
Charity shops will take complete, saleable toys that are clean and in a safe condition. Collectable toys are also welcomed by charity shops as they can get a good return on them.
It’s best to check with your chosen charity to make sure they are accepting toys at this time. Sometimes they have to turn away donations if they are short of storage space or volunteers. Some organisations, such as Oxfam, will accept donated toys by post.
Can I re-gift outgrown toys?
It must be admitted that some people are a bit ‘funny’ about re-gifted items; but the majority of parents will be pleased to reduce their impact on the environment by accepting a pre-loved gift. If you’re in doubt, have a quick word beforehand.
Make sure the toy you are giving is complete and in good working order. Give it a clean, replace batteries and hunt down the instructions. If needed, get replacement supplies of slime or dough or paint. If the original container is lost or looking battered, consider giving your pre-loved toy gift with some storage – for example, a decorated box or a fun bag.
Selling toys for fun and profit
There is a brisk market for second-hand toys and games in local neighbourhood online groups, and it can be a fun way of shifting your outgrown items and engaging with your community.
Older children might enjoy making a few pounds by managing the sales of their old toys and games themselves. Do make sure they are aware of safety precautions around meeting in person to hand over the items, and supervise deliveries and pick-ups. They may also need support in navigating payment options and avoiding scams.
Although younger children will not be active on social media, you can still involve them in taking photos and drafting listings.
Here are our tips for selling on social media.
Are there recycling schemes for toys?
Toys that have reached the end of their useful life will have to be disposed of. There are not many toy recycling facilities in the UK, so the majority of toys will have to enter the general waste stream.
The one exception is electronic toys, which can be disposed of as e-waste through your local recycling scheme. Some retailers offer a take-back scheme for electronic toys if you buy another product from them.
Using self-storage to help with toy clutter
Putting toys into your storage unit can be a good way of giving yourself some space at home while you decide whether your family is ready to let go of them. It may be that the toy will be wanted and loved again by a younger sibling in a year or two; or you might just find it difficult to get rid of an old friend. If no one has asked for an item after six months, it’s probably safe to quietly pass it on. Or, conversely, a box of toys that hasn’t been in circulation for a few months will often be welcomed by even the most cynical of children. Your stored toys will be covered by your self-storage insurance with Store and Insure.
