HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Christmas is coming and so are the toys! If you already have piles of kid clutter everywhere, don't stress out.
There are a lot of places that will gladly take your gently used toys.
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Thespruce.com put together a list of places that are always looking for toy donations:
Charities
Make sure to call before dropping off a large donation to make sure they're still accepting toys. In some cases they're donated directly to children in need or sold in the charity's thrift store. Goodwill and the Salvation Army are always great places to start.
Hospitals
Not all hospitals accept used toy donations because of infection policies. So, you'll again want to call before bringing in any used toys. Some hospitals do post wish lists on their websites.
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Doctors' Offices
Waiting in your child's doctor's office is usually made a little easier by some of the toys and books provided for kids to play with. Many of them were donated to the office. Check with your pediatrician to see if they'd like some of your used items.
Daycares/Mother's Day Outs
Church preschools and daycare centers usually go through toys pretty quickly. Call your local childcare center to see if they're accepting donations. Also, don't forget the center your child may have attended before they went off to school. They might love to have your toys.
Shelters
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Shelters for abused women and homeless shelters are often forgotten about when it comes to toy donations, even though children often live there, too. Find your local shelter and see if they're open to your donation.
Police and Fire Departments
When first responders arrive on the scene of tragic situations they often use small toys to comfort any children involved. Your local station may be open to the idea of used toys. All you have to do is ask.
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