Spring Cleaning is quickly approaching, and we know you've all been dreaming about tossing out everything in that cluttered playroom, but we have a better way to organize! Instead of trashing toys, recirculate with Second Chance Toys. When you donate outplayed toys with SCT, you can make your declutter impactful by actively giving back to your community and diverting good-as-new toys from landfills. There are a few things to keep in mind though, so read on for our do's and don'ts of giving back with SCT.

                      DO'S

1. DO: Donate Clean Toys

​Before registering your donations, please make sure that all of the toys are clean. We recommend using some gentle wipes or mild dish soap to wipe off any surface dirt or grime.

2. DO: Check for Complete Sets

​Please make sure that all dontions are complete. All playsets, puzzles, board games, and craft kids should include all required parts and pieces (small pieces attached with zip-top baggies or tape).

3. DO: Include a Special Message

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​When you recirculate toys with Second Chance Toys, your are directly giving the gifts of hope of happiness to deserving children! If you'd like to send a note to the recipient of your toy, please download and print a sheet of SCT hangtags. Write your message and attach to your package(s) of toys with ribbon or tape. 

                    DON'TS

1. DON'T: Donate Broken or Incomplete Toys

Please don't empty out the junk drawer! Remember that when you donate toys with SCT, our recipient organizations are depending on you! Since toys are directly distributed to actual children and families served by each of our partners, please only include complete, clean, and useable toys. If you do have broken toys, help us further close the gap on waste by recycling them for free with SCT x TerraCycle. Request a free shipping label for broken or incomplete toys.

2. DON'T: Inlcude Anything Dangerous

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Though it might seem simple, it's important to remember to thouroughly check your donations for any items that are not toys, or worse, anything potentially dangerous. Please DO NOT donate any explosives (firecrackers, poppers, or lighters). Along similar lines, avoid hazardous toys. We recommend the CPSC toy recall list as a resource for the latest on recalls. 

3. DON'T: Donate Used Baby Equipment 

​Sometimes recipient organizations can accept new or very gently-used baby items- be sure to carefully check the "accepted items" section on the partner's profile before completing your registration. If you are donating baby items, absolutely NO used bottles, pumps, teething toys, bath toys, or pacificers. If there is any hint of biohazard, moisture, or mold, please do not donate. 

For more information on how and where to donate, visit our Second Chance Toys Getting Started Kit