No one knows how it happens, but one day you’re buying your child’s first toy… and the next, your house is overrun with flashing lights, plastic pieces and plush teddies. 

You need to reorganise the toybox, but it's such a shame to throw things away when they have so much life left in them. Today, we’ll explore where to donate soft toys to extend their stories and give another child a loving companion. 

Should you donate your soft toys? 

Donating soft toys is an excellent way to pass them on to other children who will love them just as much as your child did. However, most organisations ask that toys are:

• Clean and disinfected

• In good condition

• Free from damage

Toys with missing parts or heavy staining are generally not accepted and can’t be sold, so they’re better off being recycled or thrown away. Individual organisation guidelines vary, so it’s worth checking before dropping off any soft toys. 

Donating soft toys in Australia

The Salvation Army 

The Salvation Army is one of the most accessible options nationwide. They accept soft toys in good condition and offer plenty of drop-off points across the country. Donated items are sold in-store to raise money for community programs. 

Learn more about donating to The Salvation Army

St Vincent de Paul Society

Vinnies op shops accept soft toy donations at most locations, provided the toys are in good condition. The money raised supports people in need across Australia. 

Learn more about donating to St Vincent de Paul Society

Save the Children Australia

Save the Children collects new and near-new toys for children in need. They tend to increase fundraising efforts around Christmastime but often accept donations year-round. 

Learn more about donating to Save the Children Australia

Local family shelters and women’s refuges

Many shelters welcome soft toy donations directly for children staying in their care. A quick search for family or women's refuges in your area will usually help you find the closest shelter.

Buy Nothing groups

If you’d like your soft toys to go directly to another family rather than through a charity, local Buy Nothing groups and community Facebook groups are a good option. 

Donating soft toys in the UK

British Heart Foundation

The British Heart Foundation is one of the largest charity shop networks in the UK, with stores across England, Wales and Scotland. They accept soft toys in good condition and use the money raised to fund heart research.

Learn more about donating to the British Heart Foundation

Barnardo's

Barnardo's charity shops accept soft toy donations and sell them to raise funds for children's services across the UK. Barnado’s is generally considered to be a kid-centric charity shop, so you can bet your old toys will find a new home in no time.

Learn more about donating to Barnardo’s

Toy Box Charity

Several charities and community toy libraries accept soft toys that are in good, clean condition. They’ll often redistribute them to children in need all over the UK. Search for toy donation schemes in your local area to find one accepting donations. 

Women's Aid refuges

Refuges across the UK often welcome donations of soft toys for children staying with them. Women's Aid has a directory of local services where you can find a refuge near you.

Learn more about donating to Women’s Aid

Local Facebook groups

For direct rehoming to another family, local community groups are widely used across the UK. You can often find them on Facebook and join as many groups as you like to donate privately. 

Donating soft toys in the US

Toys for Tots

Run by the US Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys for children in need, primarily around the holiday season. You can donate through their website and find nearby drop-off locations. 

Learn more about donating to Toys for Tots

Goodwill

Goodwill donation centres across the US accept soft toys in good condition. Donations are sold in Goodwill stores to fund job training and employment programs across the country.

Learn more about donating to Goodwill

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army has donation centres nationwide and accepts soft toys as part of general goods donations.

Learn more about donating to The Salvation Army

Local shelters

Local shelters, like Ronald McDonald Houses, support families of hospitalised children and often welcome soft toy donations. 

Facebook Marketplace

For direct rehoming, Facebook Marketplace has local groups across the US. These are often well-established ways to pass items on within your community.

Foster creativity with Dinkum World

Every character from the Dinkum World arrives with a name, a personality, and a backstory. We include these details as an invitation for owners to build upon: your own story that no one else can replicate. 

Touch the rainbow over a Dinkum's heart. Close your eyes. You're already there.

Explore the Dinkum family at dinkumdolls.com