Donate Toys and Items
With patient health & safety being our top priority, our donation safety guidelines should be reviewed prior to scheduling your donation as they allow us to ensure the highest level of quality and safety for our patients.
Donations are processed through our Patient and Family Centered Care staff, who will ensure that all donations are shared with patients throughout the organization in the most appropriate way for each patient and family.
Toy Donation Safety Guidelines
In order to maintain a safe environment for our patients and families, all donations must follow these guidelines:
- All donations must be brand new, odor-free, in original packaging and purchased within the last 6 months.
- We cannot accept the following:
- Used (including gently used) toys or clothing
- Toys or stuffed animals that have been exposed to smoke
- Collector items that have been gathered and stored over a significant period of time (sports cards, Beanie Babies, etc.)
- Handmade get-well cards, greeting cards and holiday cards
- Items containing latex (balloons, rubber balls, art supplies, etc.)
- Violent themed items (items containing guns, knives, swords, blood, violence, etc.)
- Racially and/or culturally insensitive items
- Gift wrapped items (items will be unwrapped prior to being given to patients)
- Religious themed items or messages
- New or used medical supplies or equipment
- Food, candy, beverages, etc.
- Scooters, skateboards, or bicycles
- Anything breakable (i.e., ceramic, glass)
- Any promotion of a child's experience or fundraising requests
Our Most In Demand Items
Our most needed items are updated quarterly by the child life staff as the needs of our patient population vary throughout the year. We are currently in need of the following items:
- Play-Doh & Slime
- Coloring Books for All Ages
- Markers
- Infant & Toddler Toys
- Action Figures, Barbies & Baby Dolls
- Cars & Trucks
For a complete list of suggested donation items, please see our toy donation wish list.
Amazon Wish Lists
- Child Life Hospital wish list
- Patient Academics - Back to school wish list
- Patient Academics - Books wish list
- Facility Dog Program wish list
Sewn, Knitted & Crocheted Handmade Items
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- All sewing pins and needles must be removed prior to donating.
- Do not pin notes, logos, etc. to the items. Items with pins will not be given to patients.
- Items that have a strong odor such as smoke, moth balls, perfumes or pet hair cannot not be given to patients.
- All accessories must be sewn on the item as part of the original design (eyes, nose, flowers, decorative items, etc.). Plastic buttons and eyes that are sewn on are a choking hazard should they become detached, and cannot be given to patients
- Please do not individually wrap or bag any items.
- Pre-wash the material of any handmade cloth items.
- Avoid working on your project when you are ill.
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Blankets
- Including fleece, crocheted, knitted and quilted. All sizes for all ages.
- Sizing: Minimum size 48 inches x 48 inches, up to 64 inches x 53 inches
Standard pillowcases
- For all ages and many different varieties of “likes” captured.
- Sizing: 18 inches x 10 inches
If you are creating pillowcases for holidays, please note that the processing time from drop off at the hospital to delivery to a patient can take a few months. Recommended donation timelines are as follows:
Holiday: Suggested Delivery By: Valentine's Day Mid-December Easter/Spring January Halloween August Fall August Christmas October Post-op positioning pillows
- Rectangle or bone shape
- Suggested sizing: at least 19 inches X 8 inches
Faceless dolls
- Representing all skin colors (tan, black, brown, etc.)
Lovies
- A blanket with a small animal head that is easy to grip
Octopus
Tie-waist pajama bottoms
- All sizes, especially teen/young adult
- Download a pattern
Quilted items
We have a high need for:
- Toddler Blankets- sized 48” x 48”
- Twin sized blankets
- Taggies Blankets
Please note:
Unfortunately, we cannot accept booties.
Schedule a Donation Drop-Off
Donations must be scheduled prior to drop-off. To schedule an appointment, please click on the link below. If you experience any issues while attempting to schedule an appointment for donation drop-off, please call the Child Life team at 727-767-4323
You can also mail items to:
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Child Life Department
501 6th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Frequently Asked Questions
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For infection control reasons, we are unable to accept any used items.
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For infection control, safety and confidentiality reasons, donors are not able to visit with or distribute gifts directly to patients.
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Sure! A toy drive can be hosted virtually or in person. We encourage donors to focus on giving through our online Child Life Amazon Wish List or by collecting brand new items for our patients and families from our printable Toy Donation Wish List.
If you intend to use the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital logo to promote your toy drive, please request use of the hospital logo here.