Operation Christmas Child Boxes | 50 Ideas to Pack

By packing Operation Christmas Child Boxes, you'll give kids a memorable Christmas! We're sharing over 50 of the best items to send.

Operation Christmas Child Boxes – Find out How and What to Pack!

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, I’m super excited to share one of my favorite ministries with you: Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child!

If you haven't heard of Operation Christmas Child, they send shoeboxes (filled with quality toys, clothing, personal care items, crafts, and more ~ donated by people like you and me!) to children worldwide who would not receive a Christmas gift otherwise.

Each year, my children choose a child in need to pack a box for, and then we head to Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, or browse Amazon to pick up items for those children. It literally takes us less than an hour to do, and reminds my children and myself that there are those in need all over the world.

Here's what you need to get started for Operation Christmas Child Boxes:

1. Find a Shoebox. Start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately. If you decide to shop at Hobby Lobby, you may also find bins at the front that you can fill to get an idea of how many things will fit into a normal shoebox.
2. Girl or Boy? Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and what age category you're shopping for: 2–4 years, 5–9 years, or 10–14 years.
3. Fill with Gifts. Select a medium to large “wow” item such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal, then fill with other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies. You can also include a personal note and photo.
4. Donate $9 online and receive a label to Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your shoebox gift.

This years national collection week is November 15 – 22.  If you don't want to physically pack a box, you can also create a box online! 

Operation Christmas Child Drop Off Dates:

National Collection Week for Shoeboxes this year is November 15 – 22, 2021, and if you're not sure where to drop off a box in your area you can go HERE to find a local drop off location. They do ask that you also give a donation of $9 per box to cover the cost of shipping – learn more about that over HERE and donate online as well.

I also highly recommend sharing the videos here with your children, family and friends as you pack your Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. This is one of our favorite ways to give each year, and I love that my kids get to see the other side of where our simple boxes end up.

There are a few requests and items to avoid in the shoeboxes each year.  Follow the guidelines listed above.  Here are some of the best items we've come up with to add to your Operation Christmas Child Boxes….. if you have any other ideas let us know!

50 Ideas to add to your Operation Christmas Child Boxes:

1. Crayons
2. Coloring books
3. Flip flops
4. T-shirts
5. Ball
6. Bar soap
7. Bracelets
8. Bandana
9. Pencils & pens
10. Pencil sharpener
11. Craft duct tape
12. Travel size games – Checkers, etc
13. Deck of cards
14. Hacky sack
15. Harmonica
16. Yo-Yo
17. Hat
18. Glue sticks
19. Scissors
20. Small stuffed animal
21. Pom poms
22. Glitter
23. Small crafting kit
24. Post-It notes
25. Highlighters
26. Small notebook
27. Chalk
28. Watercolor paint sets
29. Play-Doh
30. Small Etch-a-Sketch
31. Socks
32. Backpack
33. Plastic cup
34. Straws
35. Scarf
36. Jump rope
37. Glow sticks
38. Batteries
39. Matchbox cars
40. Finger puppets
41. Silly Putty
42. Balloons
43. Toothbrush (not toothpaste)
44. Washcloth
45. Wet wipes
46. Travel pack of tissues
47. Chapstick
48. Hair ties
49. Band-Aids
50. Hair brush

For Older Boys:

• Tools – hammer, screwdriver, wrench or pliers, duct tape, measuring tape
• Fishing supplies – add in a small fishing kit, fishing line, hooks
• Binoculars
• Kaleidoscope
• Plastic Magnifying Glass
• Watch
• Handkerchief
• Collapsible water bottle
• Harmonica

For Older Girls:

• Small sewing kit
• Clip on earrings
• Bracelets
• Barrettes
• Coin purse
• Sticky notes
• Watercolor paint set
• Yarn
• Colored Sharpies, highlighters, or markers
• A friendship bracelet with extra string so they can make more
• Ink pad and stamp set
• Bath sponge

Also, here are a few ideas that Operation Christmas Child shared on their site as far as suggestions for all ages (as well as some items not to include):

• TOYS: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as dolls, toy cars, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.
• SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
• NON-LIQUID HYGIENE ITEMS: Toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, etc.
• ACCESSORIES: T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights (with batteries), etc.
• A PERSONAL NOTE: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may be able to write back. 🙂

DO NOT INCLUDE:

Candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; 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.

Additional tips that may help:

• Pack soap in a plastic bag to keep the scent from taking over the whole box and so that nothing leaks.
• Remove packaging from your items so that you allow for more room in your box and so that they don't have much trash to throw away.
• Don't send anything that has directions/writing in English (i.e. toys with instructions, games that require kids to read English.) Since these boxes go to non-English speaking country it's worth only including things that are understood internationally.

Where to get Operation Christmas Child Labels + More Resources:

1. Print Operation Christmas Child Labels HERE
2. Find Operation Christmas Child Drop Off Locations HERE
3. Learn about Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Tracking HERE
4. Watch more Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Videos HERE
5. Find Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Deadlines for Packing HERE
6. See more Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Pictures HERE
7. Read Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Stories HERE

Have more questions? You can get even more free materials, recommendations, group resources, tips, and more right now by visiting the Samaritan's Purse Resource & Idea Hub.

My sister Bonnie has volunteered for years at the one of the Operation Christmas Child Processing Centers in Boone, North Carolina, I loved her pictures from behind the scenes!   

See more about Alex's Story and how the Operation Christmas Child Boxes made a difference for him. 

Looking for more posts like this? Here you go:

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• Becoming A Person Who Lives Generously
• Passionate Giving: What Happens When We All Work Together
• Blessed {And I Didn't Even Know It}
• The Smartest Financial Decision We (Accidentally) Made
• Charm Is Deceptive & Beauty Is Fleeting
• How My Daughter's Perspective Changed