What to do with toys?

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What do you do with toys when charity shops won't accept them?

I have four small children and an abundance of mainly gifted toys. I can't get rid of them.

I guess charity shops are overwhelmed due to overconsumption and Christmas.

I don't have Facebook so can't do marketplace.

Any ideas?

Many thanks

Wait for spring and car boot?
Or set up a FB account just for this purpose.

I'd hold on to them for a few months then either sign up to FB and do market place or drop them into charity shop.

Sad but true, most toys can't really be recycled so will eventually end up in landfill. You could cut the middle man and bin them.

Put them on Freecycle or on your local Whats App/ FB group. In my experience, someone always wants them.

Have you actually asked your local charity shops? One near me put a Facebook appeal out they were looking for stuff.

They also have a warehouse so store some toys to later in the year.

Does a friend have Facebook?
There are usually a few local pages o. There for free stuff to giveaway. Could they post it on there for you?

I sometimes offer toys to my son’s after school club, they usually take them.

Or any neighbours with children or grandchildren?

Thank you for all the suggestions. I'll give freecycle a go and I may see if there are any charity shops further a field taking donations.

If not then the car boot is a good idea.

The thought of just throwing them in landfill makes me feel incredibly guilty but then that is where they will end up eventually.

I know exactly* *whatyou mean about throwing them.
I had a very depressing moment wandering around Toys R Us one day, big massive shop full of stuff that was all going to end up in landfill. The cardboard boxes would rot. But the rest would be about for years.

Our local hospital has requested them

You could try
local pre schools or childminders ?

Most nursery's are on their knees financially and are usually very glad of donated toys, as are hospitals for the playroom/childrens wards. You could try them.

Local children's centre? Ours had a bag of baby toys from me.

If you are on a busy road put outside with a sign saying free to a good home.

Another vote for nursery's/ pre schools. I've donated all of my DS things to the local nursery they were very glad to have them.

I just wanted to update this as I am still struggling to get rid of toys.

After contacting my local hospitals they stated they don't accept second hand toys but do have a Amazon wish list for new toys.

I've tried freecycle and gumtree and managed to get rid of one item.

Charity shops near me are not accepting toy donations.

The only thing yet to try is a car boot sale.

There is just too many toys! The planet is drowning in them!

Any mums and tots near you? Churches? They would accept second hand toys

On a sunny day leave them at the end of your garden or driveway with a sign saying "free to a good home". They'll be gone in a couple of hours.

We often donate them to my DS nursery. Could that be an option? Facebook works really well for toys and I know a couple of friends who only have it for marketplace. Vinted also lets you sell toys.

Car boots are great and maybe check local papers to see if any jumble sales are coming up?

Schools sometimes take some, especially games.

I think it's the wrong thing to feel guilty about though. If no one else wants them then the bin is the right place for them. Instead limit what's coming in, in future, or even better, buy second hand yourself. Be part of the solution. The charity shops are full because too many donate and not enough buy.

Plus toys have a hard life and sometimes are only fit for the bin.

@Robo14
What's the background of Toys 4 Life because I've never heard of it.
Seems a bit odd to bump a 2 year old thread for an organisation.

Apologies, just realized this is spam on a zombie thread. FWIW PP's company doesn't take damaged toys anyway. Reported.

The local Council has a “Re-Use Shed” at the dump here - check if such a thing exists? It’s fab.