Where can I donate toys my kids no longer play with?

Goodwill is no longer accpeting toy donations. Does anyone have a recommendation of where I can donate used toys that my kids have outgrown? Marin County is preferable, but Berkeley, El Cerrito, and parts of SF would be OK too. I searched the archives, but much of the info seems outdated and I can't find many of the organizations that were mentioned. A tax-deductible organization is preferable as well, but not absolutely required. Thanks! Cleaning out the toy chest

Wondering if anyone has a lead on where I might donate a trunk full of used toys. They are appropriate for infant thru about age 5 (before the holidays we had our boys go through the house and bag up toys they don't play with much or have outgrown). None are broken, some are like new, some have been lovingly used and show wear, but have tons of use left in them. I tried the Bay Area Rescue Mission and Richmond Perinatal Council--both only accept new toys. I am hoping to find an agency or some kind of group that serves children, or a daycare center. Maybe a hospital or doctors office. Thanks for any tips! nikki

Getting rid of new Happy Meal toys

Although I'm not proud of it, we have accumulated oodles of toys from fast food restaurants (mostly McDonalds, but others too). I only let my kids open one of each kind, and, since we seem to eat at these places in spurts, we end up with duplicates, all of which happen to be new in their packages. I'm desperate to declutter. What do people do with extra fast food toys they don't want/need? Anonymous

Agencies that collect toys at Christmas

My daughter has been receiving an allowance, of which a third goes into a ''giving'' bank... I would love to take her to buy a new toy with it that can be donated to a child or children that don't get many...I thought maybe Children's Hospital or something of the like, but to my surprise I have not had much luck finding any informantion...Any suggestions welcome... anon

The last several years I have had fun buying toys at the after thanksgiving sales for great prices, and then donating them to charities.

The last two years, I google searched ''toy donations in berkeley'' and found a volunteer website that puts together a wishlist from local agencies for volunteer time and donations for the holidays. I'd take that list, select ones nearby that seemed appropriate, divide up my toys and have one day where I'd drive around and drop off toys and feel really good about the spirit of giving.

This year, I can't find the website, and I like to do different places each year in order to spread the wealth. Anyone know of any worthy local organizations looking for new unwrapped toys? I'm not interested in doing ''toys for tots''. It's a great cause, but they gets tons of press. Would prefer something a little less publicized. Ones I've done in the past..Circle of Care(Pediatricare), Women's Daytime Dropin Center, Jubilee West, Harbor House, Adopt-a Special Kid and others I can't recall right now.

I'd prefer the Berkeley area, but would drive a little for a worthy cause.
trying to play Santa for a day

Where to donate toddler's extra toy gifts

Due to a large number of relatives, my toddler son receives more gifts of clothing and toys than he can possibly use, particularly the toys. We have very little storage space so rotating the toys is not practical even if we wanted him to own so many things. Consequently I'm looking for a local family shelter or similar organization that does good work and would consistently be able to put these extra things (many of them new) to good use. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks! too much stuff

Where to donate Books & magazines for kids

Thank you so much to everyone wh0 contacted me and donated items to Books for the Barrios - I was overwhelmed by the response! And if I didn't connect with you I'm very sorry, I received so many emails I had trouble keeping track!

If anyone is interested in donating the following items to Books for the Barrios, check out their website for information, they are located in Concord: http://www.booksforthebarrios.com/F2nd_Y.html

* Games and Puzzles
* Toys, Stuffed Animals and Tennis Balls
* Athletic Equipment
* Crayons, Pencils and Scissors
* Clean Scrap Paper
* Children's Storybooks
* National Geographic Magazines
* Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
* Computers (Pentium III, or IV in working condition only)
* Monitors ($20 Donation Fee)
* Little Girls Dresses

Donating toys to worthy cause in Richmond

For my son's birthday, we are asking for wrapped toys and a can of food to be donated to charity. Now I'm looking for a worthy cause in the City of Richmond (where my son's day care is located) to give these toys/cans of food to. Any ideas? Would like somewhere where they could make a bit of a deal over the donation so that it would encourage a humanitarian spirit in my young son. (Also, so I could take a picture of it to share with all the party goers.)

Donating nice & sturdy puzzles and toys

I've looked in the archives, but not found anything, although I sometimes see notices in marketplace for organizations looking for ongoing donations (I meant to save them...).

Where do people donate kid's stuff? We have toys, puzzles, and books which would be appropriate for anywhere children gather to play or wait for their parents (or to give to kids for personal use). It's nice stuff, and sturdy and not too many pieces (thick floor puzzles, large plastic vehicles, etc). I'd rather give it away, although it would be salable through marketplace or resale shops.

I know about Sports4Kids for sports equipment. Thank you for your advice! anne

For the information of anyone else who would like to donate to help the homeless: I used to take all my old women's clothing to the WDDC. Now they refer clothing donations to the Berkeley Ecumenical Chaplancy for the Homeless (another wonderful service for the homeless in a church at Durant and Elsworth), but they may still directly accept kids' clothing, I don't know.

You'll know that your donations are being well used by people who really need help! Cecelia

What to do with all 3-year-old's toys?

What do you do with used toys? I have a 3 year old that can't get into his room because of all the toys he has from us, presents, hand me downs, etc. We don't have anyone to hand down to, is there somewhere or something you give them to? kristi

I called some of the other programs listed on the network archives and many of them either were not taking toys at this time or had discontinued taking toys. Ali

If you want to give them away, why not donate them (and get a tax write-off) by finding a children's/homeless family shelter, or just giving them to Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul (again all in the Oakland/Berkeley area).

1. Making Money:
- Advertise on the Marketplace newsletter to sell them at whatever price you want (the cheaper the faster of course).
- Have a yard sale.
- Sell to some of the used childrens' shops around here (like Toy Go Round, or many of the used clothing shops - they also often sell toys).

2. Not Making Money:
- Donate to shelters.
- Donate to daycare centers/preschools.
- Donate to hospitals.
- Advertise on Marketplace in the free section (sure to go like hotcakes).
- Place posters in your neighborhood childrens' park.
- Call Bananas and ask them, or your firestation and see if they have a toys-for-tots kind of thing. Etc, etc, etc.

Good for you for limiting the chaos in your house! Freyja

Donate them to ECAP - they give everything directly to needy families. They are located on San Pablo Ave, at 34th. Other charities do this too, so ask around. Donate some of them (carefully selected) to pre-schools, family homeless shelters, hospital/doctor waiting rooms or places of business that might like ''distractions'' for children of clients (of course, ask first).

If stuff is interesting, but no longer complete, they might take them at the Creative Reuse Depot.

If stuff in in good condition, and you'd like to get some money for them, there's always the re-sale places (Toy-Go-Round on Solano in Albany is great for this). R.K.

-Bay Area Crisis Nursery-
-neighbor down the street
-little kids program at the church
-the daycare provider took some
Goodwill will also take the rest (stuffed animals for example are virtually impossible to get rid of, in my experience). Try checking with the local kindergarten too... They often want sand toys or blocks or the like. myriam

The Jobs Consortium accepts toy donations in Oakland and Berkeley (510-251-6241). They are a non profit which provides employment services (including resume writing, literacy training, addiction counseling, etc.) to the homeless and families on welfare. Their clients would love toys for their kids, especially at

To the parent who wanted suggestions as to where they can donate used toys... My daughter's daycare, Laney Children Center, in Oakland is in desparate need of toys, clothing, anything that can be spared. In fact we (the Parents' Assoc.) are racking out brains with how to raise funds to be able to buy at least one toy for each chi ld for Chistmas. So if you would please call Linda Mitchell (Childcare Director) at (510) 464-3574 and talk with her about how you could help, she and I would be most appreciative. The Childcare Center is located on Laney campus at 2000 Fallon Street.