Ideas of what to Pack in Your Shoebox

You can decorate the inside of the box, if you would like. You could have your child (or grandchild), or even yourself, draw a picture on the inside lid of the box. What a great way to personalize a box!

Don’t forget to include A Personal Note:  You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself, your family, or group.  If you include your name and an address, the child may be able to write back.

 Gift Suggestions:

 All Ages – Start with a WOW item - a central item that a child will cherish.  Start with a medium to large item that will capture the child’s attention the instant he or she opens the box.

WOW Ideas can include: Soccer ball with manual pump; stuffed animal; Toys such as puppets (finger or otherwise), dolls, tennis ball; small Musical instrument (harmonica, woodwind recorder), an outfit to wear; shoes; a backpack.

Then fill up that box with any of these suggested items:

Toys:  Puzzles; foam ball; kickball (make sure to include a manual air pump); costume items to play dress-up, such as crowns and costume jewelry; yo-yo; small Frisbee; small kite; Plastic dinosaurs, puppets (finger or otherwise), trucks, boats, dolls (baby, Barbie, etc.), Slinky, Interactive toys that include push buttons, lights, and noise (include extra batteries); Etch-A-Sketch; Hacky Sack; marbles; kaleidoscope; baseball and mitt.

School Supplies/Crafts and Accessories: pens, pencils and small manual pencil sharpeners, colored pencils, pencil case, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring pads/books; picture books, glue sticks (no liquid glue); play dough (consider adding plastic cookie cutters as non-sharp utensils the child can use with the playdough); watercolor set (finger paint palette/crayons/markers (non-liquid containers), paint brushes, canvas or paper); stickers; skipping rope/jump rope; small adhesive tape; puzzles; binoculars; make-it-yourself craft items or kit; chalkboard and chalk; tool set; building blocks; tote bag/purse; sewing kit, fabric (1-2 yards) and ribbon; laminated decorative pictures with looped ribbon attached as a picture hanger; gardening kit with gloves and trowel hand tool (do not include gardening seeds); playing cards; fishing kit; brightly colored rope or twine; magnets.

Personal Care Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs/hairbrush, washcloths, Adhesive bandages (Colorful ones can help a child be more willing to wear a bandage. Do not include liquid antibiotic ointment.), Reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Consider filling an empty container with non-liquid items such as hair bows, bracelets, sunglasses, or washcloths to maximize the space.), Blanket, Non-liquid lip balm, Flashlight (solar-powered or hand-crank; if battery operated, be sure to include extra batteries of the type needed), Compact mirror; nail clipper and file; stick deodorant; washable/reusable cloth menstrual pads.

Clothing and Accessories: Shirts and pants, underwear, shoes and socks, hats/scarf/mittens, loose-fitting sundress, flip-flops, pants, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches (wrist or otherwise), flashlights (with extra batteries), decorative hat; hair bows; tote bag/purse; bead jewelry/bead kit; bandana.

Crafts: Make your own items such as hair bows, finger puppets, and friendship bracelets.

$10.00 Donation: Please remember to tape an envelope to the outside of the box with $10.00 (cash or check) to help pay the costs of distribution and religious materials that go with the box.

 

Do Not Include

Candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; scary or war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.