How to Choose the Best Toys to Donate to Children’s Hospitals

Thousands of kids are unexpectedly hospitalized during the holidays. For families, it can be a time of worry and stress. For community supporters like you, it’s a chance to share comfort and joy.

We spoke with Rita Goshert, Director of the Child Life Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Long Beach, CA. With over 38 years of experience supporting hospitalized kids, Rita shared her best tips on choosing the best gifts to donate.

1. Brand-new Toys Only

Hospitals can only accept new, unopened toys to protect kids from infection.

During winter months, flu, RSV and other viruses spread quickly. For young patients or those with weakened immune systems, even a mild illness can be serious.

“We wash our hands a lot, but there’s still that opportunity to spread infection,” explains Rita.

2. Age-Appropriate Toys and Gifts

Each age group experiences the hospital differently. The right toy can help kids cope, express emotions and feel celebrated and special. Here are some ideas:

• Infants: crib-side mounted musical toys, plastic toys with lights, sounds and push buttons

• School-Age Kids: Play Doh, Bubbles, craft kits and art supplies, dolls, puzzles and board games

• Teens: Make-up sets and hair accessories, video game systems and games, and gift cards to stores like Target, Best Buy, Walmart and Amazon.

3. Shop Hospital Wish Lists

Many children’s hospitals post online wish lists with toys and comfort items they need most. When you purchase from a hospitals’ list, your gift ships directly to their door – brand-new, clean and ready to brighten a child’s day.

Starlight follows the same wish list model through the Starlight Hub, where hospitals can “shop” for toys that they need. Even with generous community donors, hospitals tend to run short on gifts for teens and infants.

Ordering from Starlight ensures that hospitals can fill in the gaps, so every child is reminded that someone is thinking of them this Christmas.

For example, the child life team at Miller Children’s can “pick the ones [toys] that we typically get the least of, so that works out to fill that gap,” Rita says.

Each toy is shipped directly from Starlight’s warehouse to hospitals’ front donors, fully funded by donors who care.

Watch the video below to see how our toys get to hospitals nationwide!

4. Toys Pre-approved by the Hospital

If you’re not sure which toy will bring the biggest smile and meet hospital safety guidelines, Starlight makes it simple.

When hospitals order Starlight Toy Deliveries, they are all brand-new, hospital-approved and appropriate for kids of all ages.

Hospitals in Starlight's nationwide network of more than 800 facilities know they can trust toys from Starlight have already been vetted. Because toys ship directly from Starlight’s warehouses to the hospital, they bypass extra handling. Direct shipping to hospitals keeps germs away and playtime safe, which is especially important for sick kids during flu season.

Rita and her team are able to deliver comfort and cheer to kids through the many toys they order through Starlight.

This holiday season, we need your help to help every child experience the awe, joy and wonder of opening a special toy.

When you donate through Starlight, you’re creating ear-to-ear smiles, comfort and happiness for kids when they wake up on Christmas Day!

We can help you decide what toys to donate. Give to Starlight and feel confident that your gift is creating meaningful moments that kids will never forget.

$25 helps deliver a toy to a child.

Can we count on you to give when it matters most?