One of the ways our family often gives to others around the holiday is through Operation Christmas Child. We love participating in this shoebox ministry from Samaritan’s Purse but often struggle when in the moment to think of items to pack in a shoebox.
Typically, we do not use one of the provided boxes but a shoebox-size plastic storage container so that the child who receives it can store their toys or use it for carrying water.
As you pack your box, keep in mind that you do not know where you box is going. Avoid seasonal clothing such as winter scarves and gloves as your box might end up along the equator.
Operation Christmas Child Ideas
This list is meant as a reminder for me but will hopefully help you pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child too.
Remember, National Collection Week is November 13–20, 2017. Visit the Drop-off Locations page to find the closest collection site. Or, call 1-800-353-5949.
PURCHASED TOYS:
- Picture books (without text)
- Puzzles (without text)
- Balancing Bird
- Tangle Creations Tangle Jr. Fuzzy
- Mini Building Block Vehicle Sets
- Memory Match Game
- Pixy Cubes
- World’s Smallest Solar Powered Car
- Wooden Bird Whistles
- Light-Up Rail Twirler
- Stuffed Animals
- Dolls (dolls of ethnicity are best)
- Flingshot Flying Monkey
- Slinky
- Strap On LED Fingers
- Maracitos
- Memory Game & Floor Puzzle
(without text)
- Sparkling Spindle Wand
- Jacks
- Marbles
- Glow-In-The-Dark Stars
- Animal Style Finger Puppets Set
- Toy cars
- Dominoes
- Cat’s Cradle Book Kit
- Pull Back Race Cars
- Kazoos
- Cluster Bells
- Flingshot Flying Animal
- Go Fish! Card Game
- Foam Glider Planes
- Leftover toys from kid’s meals
- Pocket Etch A Sketch
- Dinosaur Fossil
- Harmonica
- Super Bouncey Balls
- Action figures (not war-related)
- Tortoise Hatch ‘Ems Egg
- Story Cubes
- Crank Music Box
- Math Dice
- Mustaches Assortment
- Balloons
- Bathtime Star Crayon
- Yo-Yo
- Toy Spy Glasses
- Bath Time Water Squirties
- Jump Rope
- Soccer Ball (deflated with air pump)
- Happy Hamster in Ball
- Family Finger Puppets
- Balloon Twisting Modeling Kit With Hand Pump
- African Animals Pieces
- Bathtime Fun Water Flutes
- Flashing Led Bumpy Ring
- Wooden Puzzle Fidget
Mini Loom Starter Kit
- Mini Foam Football
- Foam Rocket Jumpers
- Pop Toob
- Mini Machine Construction Set
- Rhythm Sticks
- Print Slap Bracelets
- Grow Your Own Dinosaurs
- Fuzzy Nose and Glasses Classic Disguise
- Mini Lalaloopsy Doll
- Memory Game & Floor Puzzle
- Balloon Powered Vehicle Set
- Air pump (for deflated balls)
- Percussion Blocks
- Water Game
- Kaleidoscope
- Nylon Hair Pieces
- Stretchable Flying Frogs
- Toss Up!
- UNO Dice Game
- Plastic Puzzle Balls
- Velcro Play Set
- Zoo Babies
- Mini Plastic Figures
- Rainbow Nesting Wooden Blocks
- Angry Birds Toy
- Counting Bears
- Toy Airplanes
(not war related)
- Dollhouse Accessories
- Mini Princess Dolls
- Bean Bags
- Pocket AM/FM Radio
(with extra batteries)
- Wooden Catch Ball
- Travel Doodler
- Plastic Dragonfly
- Compass LED Flashlight Keychain
- Binoculars
- Survival Whistle
- Hand-Held Simon
- Wooden People
- Mini Flying Discs
- Small Telescope
- Spy Scope
- Lacing Toy
- Garden Tool Set
- Snap Cubes
- Beach Ball
- Cubebot
- Spinning Top
Don’t forget to make your $9-per-shoebox donation online through Follow Your Box and receive a special tracking label to discover the destination of your shoebox gift.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
- Pens
- Paint pens
- Gluesticks
- Adhesive tape
- Decorative duck tape
- Mini Art Painting Set
- Tutti Frutti Scented Gel Pens
- Washi tape
- Pencils
- Pencil Sharpener
- Crayons
- Sidewalk chalk
- Watercolor paints
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Secret Message Pen
- Notebooks
- Paper
- Post-it notes
- Solar calculators
- Coloring books
- Stickers
- Stamps
- Ink pads
- Index cards
- Ruler
- Measuring tape
- Decorative hole punch
- Neon Mini Scratch Notes
- Lock & Key Diary
- Self-ink Stamps
- Inflatable Globe
- Sketch Books
- Magnifying Glass
- Drawing Pad
NON-LIQUID HYGIENE ITEMS:
- Toothbrushes (in plastic case)
- Bar soap (in plastic case)
- Comb
- Brush
- Deodorant
- Nail trimmers
- Chapstick
- Hand wipes
- Washcloths
- Small towel
- Bandaids
- Bath sponge
Related: 5 Ways to Cure the Gimmees
PERSONAL ACCESSORIES:
- Rain poncho
- Flip flops
- T-shirts (kids sizes with no text/images)
- Socks
- Hats
- Sunglasses
- Underwear
- Ponytail Holders
- Ribbons
- Hair clips
- Coin purse
- Tote bag
- Jewelry
- Wallet
- Watch
- Pillowcase dresses
- Flashlights (with extra batteries)
- Cup
- Multi-Function Pocket Tool
(no knives)
- Umbrella
- Pocket Screwdriver
- Sewing Kit
- Mini Sewing Machine
- Mini Hand Mirror
- Pocket Fan with batteries
For more ideas or details on how to pack a shoebox, please visit the Operation Christmas Child page or follow them on Pinterest.
Visit Operation Christmas Child’s profile on Pinterest.
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