Teaching Children to Give Toys Away - Charity

I've told my kids that we were going to do something special for children who don't have a lot of things. I ask them to give them toys and money. My kids are always generous.

I think it's easier if you take them to someone that personally benefits, where they can see who the "end user" is. Perhaps to a children's hospital or Salvation Army or a women's shelter. Maybe check it out before hand so you can make sure it will be well received so the experience is positive. Way to go Mom!!

We do it, usually in early December to prepare for Christmas. I tell them that they can keep their favorite things, but that we need to give our things to people who don't have the money for toys. They understand the idea, but when I am putting things in a bag, they occasionally give me a sad face. Well look around at everything, and I saw "What things to you think another little girl would love to play with?" My daughter will pick up things and get excited and say "I loved this when I was little." Last year, we donated close to $1000 of toys. It felt good.

When it's time for us to donate toys and clothes - I have my boys go through and pick out toys they think other kids would like to play with.

When they were younger, I told them that there are children who don't have toys like this and I think it would be a GREAT idea to share with them...They understood and picked out a few more toys...which made me VERY happy!!

We love to support Toys for Tots...they will even bring some of their own money when we go shopping and buy something for someone who isn't as fortunate as they are!

Start by going to the library and finding books that would serve this purpose. Ask the librarian for ideas. Then approach the idea of giving their gently used toys they have outgrown to a needy child. Take them with you to Salvation Army or Goodwill to turn them in. That gives them pride in what they did.

By the way, I think if we click on Tess's answers, it is apparent that she is a troll by the answers she gives.

Dawn

every year just before his birthday we tell him he has to go through his toys and pick out ones he would like other kids who don't get presents to have, he's surprised me a few times by picking out some favorite toys. and around christmas we either adopt a family or let him pick out 2 tags (a boy & girl) off the angel tree, as well as give away a few of his toys. he's always very excited to give toys to other kids who won't get many. i think starting them young is the best way, even if its just one toy they are willing to part with, it still is teaching them.

I have my daughter go through her toys before Christmas and her birthday. We give some to her younger cousins and some we donate to the chruch. Some of her more expencive toys we sell on craigslist and she can keep that money. You can give some to your local Salvation Army. I think this is good for kids to start at any age. I always teach my daughter that not all kids have as much as her.

Possibly they're pretty young for this; they may not have learned clear distinctions between what is real and what is fantasy, so their toys may seem "real" to them and to part with this or that toy may be truly to part from a friend.

However, you can begin their learning this year by letting them help you give some of *your* things away. "I don't really wear this coat any more, and there are people in town who don't have coats. Do you think someone would like this one? I think it's in good shape; can you help me find anything on it that needs fixing?" "I think I'll only keep the books on my shelf that I really want to read again, and give the others so that somebody else might have a book for a Christmas present."

Eventually you could work around to toys. Maybe. If it doesn't work this year, you can do the same thing next year, and you don't even have to wait until next Christmas. When children see their parents being unselfish and thinking of others - even strangers - they begin to learn how to be unselfish with their own things.

(This doesn't mean that some of the toys they are not at all interested in couldn't just "disappear" without comment. There are space considerations in all this question, after all.)

This is a beautiful idea but your kids are too young for this. At this age it could possibly do more harm than good because they don't understand. It's better they see you as an example of a giving person as a way of life. This would be the most benefical for them as they are still working out of imitation more than anything.
When my kids reached about 7 or 8 we would go through their toys every year, clean them up and take them down to a foster care home (a place where children lived while waiting to be placed in foster homes). We would also make toys like wooden cars and mostly dolls and baby blankets, etc. and also buy items from money they earned as well I'd buy and take them down to a woman's center and the foster care home. It became a part of our Christmas tradition. But we also found many opportunties to give throughout the year. They are all still very giving people now as adults. A nice story about giving as a regular part of your day would also be enriching for them.
Well, that's my take on it -- hope you can use it.

This is a good time to discuss the 3 things that can be done with money: save it, spend it or give it. Toys, or property can also be considered currency, valuables, money (roughly).

Explain that Santa is coming. Your house is full of toys that could be used by younger, less fortunate kids, etc.

Be matter of fact about it and they will be too. It will become routine for them to GIVE! And that totally ROCKS!

I have tried repeatedly with my daughter who is 5 (son too young, he's about to turn 2), while she is very sympathetic with the idea, the actual deed hurts her feelings. So, we have to take it in small steps, I have learned it is just too difficult when it comes to toys, so we have done beach clean up day, tree planting, help put care packages for children in a shelter, lots of giving food to various food pantry drives. My husband has been successful in getting her to pack toys into a box for the garage, but she has not agreed for the toys to actually leave. I hope she will soon be ready, maybe your kids can do it while mine cannot. I won't push her just yet, I know she is learning to be charitable through her other activities. Good Luck.

I have been doing this with my children for years. We have talked about how some children don't have toys and then I show them how their toy bins and closets are very full. They also have seen commercials on television about children who are in need. My children and I go through their rooms at least 2 times a year. We go through their toys, books, and clothes. Anything that is gently used will go to charity. They actually get excited and try to give away too much (like clothes that still fit them). They feel good knowing they are helping other children. Besides, they also know that when their birthdays and Christmas roll around that they will be given special gifts.

I never had a problem with my oldest child picking things to give to charity. At first my youngest was reluctant and I didn't want to push her. The first time she gave some clothes and the next time she was able to let go of some of her toys as well, it helped that she saw her big brother doing it and we also had open dialogue all year round. I welcomed her questions and she became more aware that she was doing a good thing and it made her feel good. It's never to young to talk to them and show them the importance of giving back.