Toys

Freecycle & Freegle

Freecycle is non-profit website that allows you to list your toy items for free. It’s also a useful platform for passing on large furniture items so if you have toy storage to donate, Freecycle is the space.

Another option is listing your items on Freegle. 

Olio

Olio is an app that was originally created to reduce food wastage. It’s increasingly becoming a successful platform for passing on a whole host of items, including toys. Olio connects you to people in your local neighbourhood after you’ve listed your items using the app. Collection is often arranged very quickly and you can leave the items outside your door if you’re busy.

Nextdoor app

The Nextdoor app is a location-based social media and networking app that connects people who live in the same local neighborhood.

The platform has a dedicated For Sale & Free section explicitly designed for selling or giving away personal items, which is great for passing on toys.

Fara UK

FARA UK charity shops and fundraising directly support its partner charity in Romania, Fundația FARA.

They are always delighted to accept your pre‑loved items such as good quality clothes, shoes, accessories, books, bric-a-brac, as well as children’s toys and baby equipment. Please do bear in mind anything you donate must be in reasonable condition so they can resell it.

Little Village

Little Village is a London-based charity operating a network of ‘baby banks’ that provide pre-loved clothes, toys, books, and essential equipment (like cots and buggies) to families with children aged 0 to 5 living in poverty.

Little Village has baby banks in Tooting, Wembley and Camden, a warehouse in Wandsworth, as well as regular drop off spots in Southwark, Highgate and beyond where you can donate clothes, prams, cots, toys, books and baby equipment that are clean and in excellent condition.

The Toy Project

Based in Archway, London, The Toy Project supports children in London and the UK and also send toys to India, Africa and the Caribbean.

Please call The TOY Project shop on 0207 503 9590 to arrange a time and date to drop off your donations.

For a list of items they accept, click here.

Salvation Army Appeal

Please support your local Christmas Present Appeal by finding your nearest appeal and donating new, unwrapped toys and gifts for children who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present. The gifts will then be wrapped and distributed to those in need.

To find out where to donate your gift or for more information on the Christmas Present Appeal please contact your local Salvation Army. You can search using their Google map to find your nearest participating church.

Toys 4 Life

At Toys 4 Life, the team are dedicated to giving unwanted toys a second life through their innovative re-use and recycling programs. Whether it’s plastic, wooden, or plush toys, every item has the potential to bring joy to another child, rather than ending up in a landfill.

By collecting and processing these toys, they are not only reducing waste but also conserving valuable resources and supporting communities in need.

Their easily identifiable collection banks are located at the sites shown on the map, just enter your postcode to find the one closest to you.

Scooteraid

Every Micro Scooter is built to last. So when your child has outgrown theirs, send it back to the Scooteraid team so they can revamp and rehome your used Micro Scooter with children in need across the UK.

Every pre-loved scooter you donate to them is another child they can help.

Inflatable Amnesty (We Are IA)

This UK initiative salvages old bouncy castles, pool toys, and inflatables to turn them into sustainable bags and accessories. They periodically open postal donations or crowdfunding support via the Inflatable Amnesty Website.

LEGO® Replay

LEGO® Replay is an easy-to-use programme that helps you declutter and donate your old bricks.

Your donations will be transformed to provide playful learning opportunities for children across the UK.

After receiving your old bricks, they sort them and transform them into new storage boxes for toys! With the help of their charity partner, In Kind Direct, these items will be delivered to schools and charities, alongside surplus bricks from their factories, offices, and stores, to inspire play and creativity with children in need.

Other options for donating Lego:

• Use commercial recycling and buy-back services like Brick Bin to sell or rehome large collections.

• Donate Locally: Ask nearby primary schools, nurseries, or charity shops if they want pre-loved bricks for playtime.

• Sell complete sets or mixed bulk on platforms like eBay or BrickLink.

Mattel PlayBack

Mattel PlayBack is a free toy takeback program designed to recycle outgrown or used Mattel toys and keep them out of landfill.

Available in the United States, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Steps:

1. Fill out the return form to generate your shipping label.

2. Print your free prepaid shipping label that you will receive by email.

3. Package the toys and send them back to Mattel.
   

Card Factory x TerraCycle

Card Factory partnered with TerraCycle and Amscan International to offer an in-store recycling program for foil balloons and plastic banners.

Drop-off recycling boxes are available in select Card Factory stores (nationwide across approximately 500 locations).

Simply bring your deflated foil items to a participating shop and place them directly into the dedicated TerraCycle collection box. TerraCycle then shreds and melts the materials into plastic pellets to be remoulded into new products.