Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DS toy stolen at school

44 replies

Mrsaskalotofquestions · 08/06/2026 16:24

DS brought in a toy today for show & tell he showed three of his friends in the morning whilst they was hanging his coat up. He didn’t go in his bag until the end of the day when he went to get it out for show & tell. The toy and the container gone just the wrapper left.

Substitute teacher got all the kids to empty there bags.

Im horrified at the thought of a 9 year old stealing out another kids bag! Do I just accept it for what it is? I’m going to worry about sending him to school with anything now!

OP posts:
oliviaAustin · 08/06/2026 17:28

Bushmillsbabe · 08/06/2026 17:04

Unfortunately this does happen. Last year in DD1's year (then year 4) this hapenned at least 3 times, parents putting messages on asking all the parents to check their child's bag as an item very precious to their child had gone missing at school. I dont think any of them were ever found. Children were accused by other children and it got a bit nasty, with groups of children tipping out other children's bags

Children should be able to bring things in to show their class, but in reality it just seems to lead to trouble, and I ask mine to not take in anything

OP I hope your child gets their toy back, but be prepared that they probably won't.

The children should have to give the teacher the items at the beginning of class, teacher keeps until show and tell

NerrSnerr · 08/06/2026 17:27

This is why they don’t let children take toys into school. At our school they’ll let children very occasionally do show and tell but with a very interesting stick or something- not a toy, for this very reason.

Every few weeks our year 4 teacher is pleading with parents not to send toys into school as it causes problems (like this)

francy99 · 08/06/2026 17:24

Unfortunately some kids will steal stuff. I’m 53 and can remember when I was in primary school a girl was stealing crisps, cakes and biscuits from other kids packed lunches. Her Dad was the village GP so not from a poor home either

GreenCaterpillarOnALeaf · 08/06/2026 17:23

Yhe there’s a boy in DD’s class with stickey fingers and they’re 6… never send her in with anything of value.

AlohaRose · 08/06/2026 17:15

Age 9 seems very old for Show n Tell in school? What kind of toy went missing?

Ablondiebutagoody · 08/06/2026 17:10

In any class or year group there a going to be a couple of thieves. I'm surprised the teachers encourage this for show and tell. Generally personal stuff, Pokemon cards etc. are banned in school.

Pineapplewhip · 08/06/2026 17:10

Anyone else not buying it that a 9 year old is doing show and tell? Then the teacher asked them to tip out all their bags? Seems very unlikely to happen.

Moonnstarz · 08/06/2026 17:07

Was there a reason for show and tell, especially for a 9 year old? Even in year 1 we don't allow this (with the exception of awards from outside school like football trophies which can be brought in on Monday to celebrate with the class).

We have a rule of no toys for this reason. And if parents really insist on sharing something (again usually this might happen in KS1 but not any higher) they can send the teacher a message with a photo of the item.

Maybe your school needs to stop the toys in school (and hopefully have a word with the culprit).

plims · 08/06/2026 17:05

There’s a chance he did take it out and put it down somewhere. I assume it is labelled with his name? I image it will find its way back to you.

Bushmillsbabe · 08/06/2026 17:04

Unfortunately this does happen. Last year in DD1's year (then year 4) this hapenned at least 3 times, parents putting messages on asking all the parents to check their child's bag as an item very precious to their child had gone missing at school. I dont think any of them were ever found. Children were accused by other children and it got a bit nasty, with groups of children tipping out other children's bags

Children should be able to bring things in to show their class, but in reality it just seems to lead to trouble, and I ask mine to not take in anything

OP I hope your child gets their toy back, but be prepared that they probably won't.

Dollymylove · 08/06/2026 16:41

WonderingWanda · 08/06/2026 16:33

Would it help you to be less horrified that a 9yo child might steal if you imagine that 9yo having a tragic homelife, or having shitty parents who haven't taught right from wrong. Maybe speak with the usual teacher when they are back, I am sure they will have another crack at getting the truth out of the kids.

That just sends out a message that you can steal other peoples stuff because your parents cant/wont buy you one

Livpool · 08/06/2026 16:41

I have never left DS take anything to school that he wouldn’t be happy to lose, or have broken

roseymoira · 08/06/2026 16:36

Was it in a kids bag?

Bananananna · 08/06/2026 16:34

The toy and the container gone just the wrapper left.

Was it a brand new toy?

WonderingWanda · 08/06/2026 16:33

Would it help you to be less horrified that a 9yo child might steal if you imagine that 9yo having a tragic homelife, or having shitty parents who haven't taught right from wrong. Maybe speak with the usual teacher when they are back, I am sure they will have another crack at getting the truth out of the kids.

stiffasanironingboard · 08/06/2026 16:29

Sorry YABU. Never take anything in to school that could risk getting lost.

Sillysausage76 · 08/06/2026 16:29

I don't know any school to do show and tell unless relevant to class work and then item needs to be handed in to teachers. Problem is school aren't responsible as they never saw item.

PinkDaisy06 · 08/06/2026 16:28

Sorry that this happened to your DS, especially when he was so excited to do show and tell with it. I hope that school manage to find it.

My approach to my DC has always been not to take something of theirs into school unless they are happy for it to be potentially lost or broken.

So much stuff sadly gets damaged, misplaced or occasionally taken by other kids at schools.

shellyleppard · 08/06/2026 16:26

Therin lies the peril of taking toys to school. I used to put my sons initials on the toy in case it went AWOL

Swipe left for the next trending thread