What Goes in My Shoebox? - Operation Christmas Child

What to Pack

When packing your shoebox think; FUN, adding a ‘wow’ item and new toys a child will love; FULL, with no empty space; and PERSONALISED, including a note of encouragement or photo.

Fill shoeboxes with quality, new items that will last. Think about the kids in your life – pack items you feel they would enjoy and would be suitable for their age. Check out our gift suggestions below.

Doll
Soccer ball or football and pump
Stuffed animal
Musical instrument
Dress-ups – crown, fairy wands etc

Comb or brush
Toothbrush
Washcloth
Fun bandaids
Eating utensils
Water bottle
Nail clipper and file
Small blanket

Pencils and sharpener
Pencil case
Erasers
Pens
Crayons
Markers
Notebooks
Index cards
Calculator
Scissors
Small ruler
Glue stick
Small sticky tape

Puzzles
Binoculars
Chalkboard and chalk
Skipping rope
Colouring books or pads
Dry watercolour set
Playdough
Stickers
Craft kits or colourful rope/twine
Books or picture books
Sewing kit
Gardening kit/gloves
Card Games

Balls – tennis ball, bouncy balls
Frisbee®
Building blocks
Finger puppets
Slinky®
Yo-yo
Kaleidoscope
Cars, trucks and boats
Interactive toys
Other small toys and figures
Small kite
Water guns (that don’t look like weapons)
Playing cards

Clothing and undergarments
Shoes
Sunglasses
Bags, backpacks, or purses
Hair accessories
Hats
Wristwatch or jewellery
Torches with extra packaged batteries

Include a note to the child and a photo of yourself, your family, or group.

*Samaritan’s Purse encourages Operation Christmas Child shoebox donors to include a personal note in each shoebox gift.

Soccer ball and pump
Stuffed animal
Musical instrument
Large toy truck or car
Skipping Rope

Comb or brush
Toothbrush
Washcloth
Fun adhesive bandages
Eating utensils
Nail clipper and file
Small blanket
Water bottle

Pencils and sharpener
Pencil case
Erasers
Pens
Crayons
Markers
Notebooks
Index cards
Calculator
Scissors
Ruler
Glue stick
Small adhesive tape

Puzzles
Binoculars
Chalkboard and chalk
Fishing kit
Skipping rope
Colouring books or pads
Dry watercolour set
Playdough
Stickers
Craft kits or colourful rope/twine
Books or picture books
Tool set with work gloves
Gardening kit/gloves
Card Games

Ball
Frisbee®
Building blocks
Slinky®
Yo-yo
Kaleidoscope
Toy cars, trucks and boats
Interactive toys
Other small toys and figures
Small kite
Water guns (that don’t look like weapons)
Playing cards
Baseball and mitt

Clothing and undergarments
Shoes
Cold weather items
Sunglasses
Bags or backpacks
Hats
Wristwatch
Torch with extra packaged batteries

Include a note to the child and a photo of yourself, your family, or group.

*Samaritan’s Purse encourages Operation Christmas Child shoebox donors to include a personal note in each shoebox gift.

Do Not Include

Due to increasing customs regulations and challenges in many countries, from 2025 all types of soap will NO LONGER be allowed in shoebox gifts.

– Soap
– Items that leak or melt: including toothpaste, shampoo, bubbles, and lotions.
– Food or lollies of any kind: including medicines and vitamins, seeds or organics products.
– Second-hand, used or damaged items: including worm clothing and old toys
– Breakable items: including glass and porcelain
– Scary or war-related items: including toy guns, knives, wearable camouflage clothing, military figures, skull and crossbones, Halloween items.
– Gambling-related items: including play money or dice (unless included in a game)
– Religious Literature: including tracts and Bibles (children receive an Operation Christmas Child the Greatest Gift book at an outreach event in their native language). You can however include items that have Christian phrases like, “Jesus loves you” on them.

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