TL;DR: Toy donations in the UK at Christmas
You can donate both new and used toys in the UK, but it depends on the organisation.
- Used toys are fine for charity shops, pre loved toy projects and some local groups if they are clean, safe, complete and in good condition.
- New toys only for hospitals and many national Christmas toy appeals because of infection control and safety rules.
- Never donate recalled or broken toys. Check recalls first and only pass on toys you would happily give to your own child.
Christmas in the UK is a season built around giving, celebration, and family time. Yet thousands of children face Christmas without a single present because their families are struggling, they are living in temporary accommodation, or they are spending the holidays in hospital.
Toy appeals fill that gap. They make sure every child gets something to unwrap, and every parent knows their community cares.
This guide brings together the most trusted, verified toy donation schemes across the UK in 2025. Everything here comes from the official charity sources listed at the end of the article.
What are the main ways to donate toys for Christmas in the UK?
There are several trusted routes for Christmas toy donations across the UK. Some focus on new toys only. Others welcome excellent condition pre loved toys. Pick the path that fits what you have and who you want to help.
- National Christmas appeals (new only): Salvation Army, Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, Family Action, KidsOut Giving Tree.
- Supermarkets and toy retailers (new only): Tesco gifting stations, Morrisons Toy Donation Stations, The Entertainer Big Toy Appeal.
- Hospitals (new only): children’s hospitals such as Great Ormond Street Hospital.
- Refuges and local appeals (mostly new): Women’s Aid groups, local council Christmas toy appeals.
- Pre loved toys: the TOY Project and charity shops for good quality used toys.
- Money only gift schemes: Rotary Christmas Toy Boxes, where the charity buys the toys.
Toy donation rules you can reuse anywhere
These are simple rules you can copy into any toy donation guide or checklist.
- You can donate used toys if they are clean, safe, complete and in good condition.
- Hospitals and many Christmas toy appeals accept new toys only because of infection control and safety rules.
- Do not donate toys that are broken, damaged or have missing parts.
- Do not donate toys that have been recalled. Check official recall lists before you give.
- Always check the specific guidelines of the charity, shop or appeal before you donate.
Can you donate both new and used toys?
Yes, you can donate used toys, but not everywhere and not in every condition. The key is to match the toy to the right kind of organisation and to follow their rules carefully. Hospitals and some large Christmas toy appeals have strict infection control and regulatory duties so they ask for brand new toys only. Charity shops and pre loved toy projects are set up to handle used toys and are the best place for them.
When are used toys accepted?
Used toys are welcome in many places as long as they are clean, safe and complete. Charity shops such as Oxfam, hospice shops and community projects often rely on good quality pre loved toys to raise funds or to pass them directly to families. Specialist toy charities like the TOY Project in London also take both new and used toys and get them to children who need them.
When do toys have to be new?
Some settings cannot safely accept used toys. Children’s hospitals and wards, for example, only accept brand new toys in original packaging or gift vouchers. Many national Christmas appeals such as the Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal, Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, Tesco and Morrisons campaigns and KidsOut Giving Tree are designed around new toys only. New toys are easier to check for safety, dignity and fairness so that every child receives a gift that feels truly theirs.
What toys are usually accepted?
Across the appeals in this guide, the most widely accepted donations are new toys and games for different age groups, books, puzzles, craft sets and sensory toys. Teen friendly gifts such as toiletries, headphones and stationery are almost always in short supply. Pre loved projects and charity shops can also accept excellent condition used toys, as long as they are clean and working.
What toys are not accepted, including recalled toys?
Most organisations will not accept toys that are broken, dirty or incomplete. Many children’s charities and refuges do not accept toy weapons or highly violent themes. Hospitals do not accept soft toys and some high risk items such as toys with loose button batteries. Larger nursery items such as car seats, cots or prams have complex safety rules, so most toy appeals do not handle them at all.
Recalled toys should never be donated. The UK government runs an official product safety alerts, reports and recalls database on GOV.UK, and the Child Accident Prevention Trust has clear guidance on toy safety and recalls. It is good practice to search your toy’s brand and model on these sites before you give it away. If a toy appears on a recall list, dispose of it safely or follow the recall instructions instead of donating it.
Do you need to wrap toys before you donate them?
Most Christmas toy appeals ask you to leave toys unwrapped. Staff and volunteers need to check the safety of each toy, make sure it is age appropriate and then sort it into the right group before it is wrapped for a child. If you wrap toys at home, they will usually have to be unwrapped again for safety checks.
For new toys, keep labels on and leave them in their original packaging if possible. For used toys, where they are allowed, make sure everything is clean, working and packed in a way that is easy to inspect. Some charities welcome spare gift bags and wrapping paper alongside unwrapped toys so families can wrap presents themselves.
Quick rule: assume toys should be unwrapped unless the organisation clearly asks for wrapped gifts.
Quick comparison of UK Christmas toy donation schemes (2025)
| Scheme | Link | What they accept | What they do not accept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salvation Army – Christmas Present Appeal | Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal | New, unwrapped toys and gifts for babies to teenagers. | Used toys and most home made items. |
| Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas (via B&M) | Mission Christmas at B&M | Brand new, unwrapped toys and gifts, especially baby | Used toys and food items (including chocolate). |
| The Entertainer – Big Toy Appeal | Big Toy Appeal | New toys bought in-store, plus £5 appeal converted into toys. | Used toys; toys not purchased through the scheme. |
| Tesco – Christmas Toy Collection | Tesco toy gifting announcement | New, unwrapped toys purchased in larger Tesco stores. | Used toys; unsuitable or unsafe items (exact rules vary by local charity). |
| KidsOut – Giving Tree | KidsOut Giving Tree | New, unwrapped toys matched to a Giving Tree tag or bought via their shop. | Used toys; gifts that do not match their guidelines. |
| Rotary – Christmas Toy Boxes | Rotary Christmas Toy Boxes | Monetary donations which fund boxes of new toys. | Direct toy donations (they buy the toys themselves). |
| Family Action – Christmas Toy Appeal | Family Action Toy Appeal | New toys, books and games, plus gift vouchers and donations | Used toys and gifts outside their guidelines. |
| Goods For Good – Christmas Toy Appeal | Goods For Good Christmas Toy Appeal | New toys, books and gifts, plus new toiletries | Used toys and opened or part-used toiletries. |
| Children’s hospitals (e.g. GOSH) | GOSH toy donation guidance | Brand new toys in original packaging, plus gift vouchers | Used toys, most soft toys and high risk items (for example, loose button batteries). |
| Women’s refuges (e.g. Glasgow Women’s Aid) | Glasgow Women’s Aid Mother Claus appeal | Usually new toys and gifts for children, plus gifts and vouchers | Most used toys; items that could compromise safety, dignity or confidentiality. |
| Local council Christmas toy appeals (e.g. Rochdale) | Rochdale Council Christmas Toy Appeal | New toys, gifts and vouchers for children | Used toys and items outside the appeal’s current year guidelines. |
| The TOY Project – London | The TOY Project | New and used toys in good condition, including some larger items | Broken, incomplete or unsafe toys. |
| Charity shops and hospice shops (e.g. Oxfam) | Find an Oxfam shop | New and used toys that are clean, complete and safe to sell. | Broken toys, toys with missing parts and items that appear unsafe or recalled. |
Below is a curated list of trusted schemes. For each one you will find who they help, what they accept and how to donate.
Always double check the linked page for this year’s dates and any local changes. Campaign windows and drop off points can change from one Christmas to the next.
1. Salvation Army – Christmas Present Appeal
Find out more: Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal
Who it helps: children and families experiencing hardship, homelessness or financial crisis.
What they accept: new, unwrapped toys and gifts for babies through to teenagers.
What they do not accept: used toys and home made items. They focus on new gifts only.
How to donate: take new, unwrapped toys to your local Salvation Army church or community centre. The appeal page lists how to find your nearest corps or centre, and some areas also work with partners such as The Entertainer.
2. Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas (via B&M)
Find out more: Cash for Kids Mission Christmas at B&M
Who it helps: disadvantaged children and teenagers in local UK regions.
What they accept: brand new, unwrapped toys and gifts, especially baby items and teen gifts such as cosmetics, tech accessories and stationery.
What they do not accept: used toys and food items.
How to donate: drop new gifts at participating B&M stores with Mission Christmas collection points, then check your local radio station or Cash for Kids site for a postcode search tool.
3. The Entertainer – Big Toy Appeal
Find out more: The Entertainer Big Toy Appeal and The Entertainer store finder
Who it helps: children supported by the Salvation Army in local communities.
What they accept: new toys purchased in The Entertainer during the Big Toy Appeal period, plus £5 Big Toy Appeal donations at checkout which the retailer converts into toys.
How to donate: visit a participating Entertainer store, buy an extra toy and leave it for donation, or add the £5 appeal donation to your basket. Use the store finder to locate a shop near you.
4. Tesco – Christmas Toy Collection
Find out more: Tesco toy gifting announcement and Tesco store locator
Who it helps: children supported by local partner charities linked to participating Tesco stores.
What they accept: new, unwrapped toys for a range of ages. Exact needs vary by local charity.
How to donate: look for the toy donation station in larger Tesco stores during the Christmas campaign, often in the foyer or near customer services. Use the Tesco store locator to find a suitable store.
5. KidsOut – Giving Tree
Find out more: KidsOut Giving Tree
Who it helps: children living in domestic abuse refuges and other safe settings.
What they accept: new, unwrapped toys that match a Giving Tree tag or are bought through their online shop. This is a new toy only scheme.
How to donate: take a tag from a Giving Tree at your workplace, school or community group, buy the suggested toy and return it unwrapped to that collection point, or use the KidsOut online Giving Tree shop to buy gifts that will be delivered on your behalf.
6. Rotary – Christmas Toy Boxes
Find out more: Rotary Christmas Toy Boxes
Who it helps: children in domestic abuse refuges and similar settings.
What they accept: monetary donations only. A set amount funds a toy box filled with gifts.
How to donate: give online through the Rotary Toy Box appeal. Rotary and its partners buy and deliver the toys, so this is a good option if you cannot physically get to a shop or drop off point.
7. Family Action – Christmas Toy Appeal
Find out more: Family Action Christmas Toy Appeal
Who it helps: children and families in poverty or crisis across England.
What they accept: new toys, books and games, plus gift vouchers and donations used to buy age appropriate presents.
How to donate: individuals can donate money or vouchers, while workplaces and community groups can register to take part in the toy appeal.
8. Goods For Good – Christmas Toy Appeal
Find out more: Goods For Good Christmas Toy Appeal
Who it helps: children in poverty, temporary accommodation and refugee or asylum seeking families.
What they accept: new toys, books and gifts, plus new toiletries and practical items for teenagers.
How to donate: you can post or deliver toys to their Watford base, or take part in school and workplace collection drives during the appeal.
9. Children’s hospitals (example: Great Ormond Street Hospital)
Find out more: GOSH toy donation guidance
Who it helps: children staying in hospital over Christmas and throughout the year.
What they accept: brand new toys in original packaging, plus gift vouchers and items from hospital wishlists.
What they do not accept: used toys, soft toys and many high risk items such as toys with loose button batteries, for infection control and safety reasons.
How to donate: send or deliver toys to the hospital charity office, following the hospital’s own guidance, or order directly from their wishlist so items arrive safely and on time.
10. Women’s refuges and local Women’s Aid groups
Find out more: Glasgow Women’s Aid Mother Claus appeal
Who it helps: women and children who have escaped domestic abuse and are living in refuges or safe accommodation.
What they accept: usually new toys and gifts for children, plus gifts for teenagers and mothers such as toiletries, cosy clothing and vouchers. Some local schemes may accept excellent condition used toys, but many prefer new for safety and dignity.
How to donate: check your local Women’s Aid group website for Christmas appeal details, safe drop off addresses and any security steps. Some areas run Secret Santa or Adopt a Family schemes.
11. Local council Christmas toy appeals
Find out more: Rochdale Council Christmas Toy Appeal
Who it helps: children in care, young carers and families supported by council children’s services.
What they accept: new toys, gifts and vouchers.
How to donate: drop off at named council buildings such as libraries, community centres and town halls or follow postal and online instructions on your council’s website.
12. The TOY Project – London
Find out more: The TOY Project
Who it helps: children in care, families in poverty, domestic abuse survivors and schools or projects that need toys.
What they accept: new and used toys in good condition, including some larger items such as bikes if they are safe and complete.
What they do not accept: broken, incomplete or unsafe toys.
How to donate: take toys to their London base or check their site for current drop off and postal options.
13. Charity shops and hospice shops
Find out more: Find an Oxfam shop
Who they help: a wide range of causes, from children’s charities and hospice care to international development, depending on the charity.
What they accept: new and used toys that are clean, complete and safe to sell.
What they do not accept: broken toys, items with missing parts or toys that appear unsafe or recalled.
How to donate: take toys to your local charity shop during opening hours.
FAQs about donating toys for Christmas in the UK
Can I donate used toys for Christmas?
Yes, you can donate used toys if they are clean, safe, complete and in good condition. Charity shops, pre loved toy projects and some local groups are set up to handle used toys. Hospitals and many national Christmas toy appeals accept new toys only, so always check the rules before you donate.
Can I donate soft toys and teddies?
Soft toys are welcome at many charity shops and some community schemes as long as they are clean and safe. Children’s hospitals and some large appeals do not accept soft toys because of infection control and safety rules. Check the charity’s guidelines before you bring teddies.
Can I donate toys that are broken or have missing pieces?
No. Broken toys, toys with missing parts or toys that look unsafe should not be donated. Charities cannot safely give them to children and it costs money to dispose of them. Only donate toys that you would be happy for your own child to receive.
Can I donate recalled toys?
No. Recalled toys should never be donated. Check the GOV.UK product safety alerts and recall pages and the Child Accident Prevention Trust toy safety guidance if you are unsure. If a toy is on a recall list, follow the recall instructions or dispose of it safely instead of donating it.
Where can I donate toys near me?
Start with local options such as charity shops, council toy appeals, community centres and Women’s Aid groups. For national campaigns, check the websites of the Salvation Army, Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, Tesco, Morrisons, The Entertainer, KidsOut and Family Action. Many of these sites include postcode finders or store locators that show nearby drop off points.
Summary: Giving in the Christmas and Charity Spirit
Christmas is a time when small acts of kindness matter more than ever. Whether you give a brand new toy, a pre-loved favourite in great condition or a simple gift card, your donation can bring comfort and joy to a child who might otherwise wake up to nothing on Christmas morning. Every organisation in this guide exists to make that moment possible.
What you give does not have to be expensive. A puzzle, a book, a soft toy (where allowed) or a gift for a teenager can lift a child’s whole day, and in some cases, their whole season. If you are decluttering, passing on toys that your own children loved helps another family feel supported and seen.
If you are able to give this year, please do. Choose a charity or project that resonates with you, check what they accept and donate safely. Your generosity, however small, helps make Christmas feel brighter, kinder and more hopeful for families across the UK.
