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 watercolor 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
  • 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

  • – 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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