Kids grow out of everything! From clothes to shoes to toys, it is an ever-revolving door of STUFF! So what to do with the things they’ve outgrown? Donation is a great answer! If you’re looking to donate kids items in the Boston area, we’ve got a great list of places that will gladly accept the things your children no longer use!
Cradles to Crayons
Donation locations throughout the Boston area (Acton, Allston, Arlington, Bellingham, Beverly, Boston, Cohasset, Danvers, Dover, Foxborough, Hingham, Lexington, Marblehead, Medfield, Medford, Newton, Plymouth, Raynham, Wayland, Wellesley, Westford, Wrentham)
Cradles to Crayons is a nonprofit organization that provides homeless and low-income children with the essentials they require in order to thrive. They accept donations of clothing, shoes, books, baby supplies and diapers, equipment, batteries, and infant gear (especially strollers, and car seats within five years old). They are also in need of hygiene products for older children. They do not accept stuffed animals, ride-on toys, or play structures.
There are many drop-off locations to donate kids items throughout the Boston area. To find the one closest to you, click here.
The Fox and Robbin Shop
Arlington
The Fox and Robbin Shop is a donation-based nonprofit children’s resale shop benefiting the Arlington Fox Branch Library. They accept donations of anything child related and provide tax receipts for anyone who would like one. All money raised from the reselling of children’s items goes back to the library and supports ongoing programs!
Children’s Clothing Exchange through Solutions at Work
Cambridge
In this innovative program, Children’s Clothing Exchange members are able to trade their child’s outgrown clothing, books, toys, and gear for age-appropriate items. Credits are given for each donation, with which new items may be purchased. If you do not have children’s items to trade, credits may be earned by volunteering. An annual fee of $50 per family is charged, or $25 per family along with 25 volunteer hours.
Sister Thrift
Watertown
Framingham
Money made from the sales at Sister Thrift supports the MetroWest Humane Society, a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the well-being of cats in the MetroWest Boston area.
Second Chances
Donation locations throughout the Boston area (Arlington, Boston, Cambridge, Medford, Somerville)
Second Chances accepts donations of clothing, shoes, and accessories for homeless and lower-income people so that they can take their first steps toward a brighter future with confidence. Second Chances also accepts household items such as aprons, towels, sheets, tablecloths, and cloth napkins. Anything that is not usable by their clients is either recycled or sold wholesale, with the profit being used to support their work.
To find a donation bin, please click here.
Room to Grow
Hyde Park
Room to Grow offers low-income and homeless families assistance right from the start with coaching, community connections, and material goods. Donations of infant and toddler items are accepted at the Boston location; please book a time here.
A second option is to donate by mail, which is an easy and convenient way to donate baby and toddler items to Room to Grow! Request a donate-by-mail bag today or address your own package directly to Room to Grow.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
Many locations throughout the state
In addition to providing food assistance for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children birth to age 5, WIC offices will often take donations of gently used baby gear and breast pumps. For a list of WIC locations, please click here.
Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles
West Bridgewater
Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles is a state-wide nonprofit support network for families and families-to-be of multiple birth children. Money raised from the resale of donated children’s items helps to provide support groups, playgroups, and more for families with twins, triplets, and beyond. Donations are accepted during normal business hours or can be left near the back door.
Big Brother Big Sister Foundation
Free home pickup
The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation collects gently used clothing, toys, and household items and either donates them directly to children in need or converts them into cash and distributes the proceeds to mentoring programs throughout the state. Money earned through the resale of items supports more than 30,000 children. To arrange for pick up, please contact them here.
The Somerville Homeless Coalition
Somerville
The Somerville Homeless Coalition helps families struggling with homelessness. They gladly accept donations of food, new toiletries, and household items such as towels and bedding. Diapers and wipes are appreciated, as well as socks and underwear (new in package, please). School supplies are also accepted. Contact them at 617-623-6111 to arrange your donation.
Epilepsy Foundation
Free home pickup, or use one of the donation locations throughout the state (Andover, Bedford, Beverly, Billerica, Boston, Brighton, Burlington, Cambridge, Danvers, Framingham, Lowell, Marlborough, Methuen, Norwood, Peabody, Saugus, Swampscott, Topsfield, West Roxbury, Westford, Wilmington, Woburn)
The Epilepsy Foundation sells donations to Savers, and 100% of the money raised from these sales goes to assisting individuals and families suffering from epilepsy and seizure disorders. The Epilepsy Foundation accepts donations of almost any kind, including clothing, toys, books, and small appliances. They also accept stuffed animals.
Multiple donation bins are available throughout the state, or they will arrange to come pick up items at your home. To arrange a pickup, please call (888) 322-8209 or visit here.
Vietnam Vets of America
By pickup
The Vietnam Vets of America supports service programs dedicated to improving the lives of all veterans, especially those who are homeless or disabled. They will accept donations of almost any kind, with the exception of mattresses and large furniture.
To arrange pick up, please call 1-800-775-VETS or email [email protected].
Local police and fire stations
Many police and fire stations will accept donations of gently used stuffed animals to comfort frightened or upset children. Contact your local station to ask if they are in need.
Have we missed any great places to donate kids items in Boston? Let us know!
