If you want to donate toys for Christmas in Los Angeles this year, you have more options than ever. The hard part is knowing which drives are legitimate, what kids actually need, and how to make sure your gift reaches a child instead of a storage closet. This guide covers all three.
At Gifted Angels, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that donates 100% of proceeds, we run a holiday gift drive every December for the children and families of Maryvale in Rosemead. Here is what we have learned about giving toys well, plus the best places to give in Los Angeles in 2026.
In This Article
Why Toy Donations Matter in Los Angeles
The holidays are expensive, and for many Los Angeles families a toy is the first thing to get cut. Children in the child welfare system feel that gap most. As of December 31, 2025, Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services reported 9,787 children in out-of-home care and more than 18,000 children receiving child welfare services overall.
A new toy will not fix those circumstances. But for a child who has been through a lot, opening a gift that was picked out just for them is a powerful reminder that someone is thinking of them.
4 Places to Donate Toys for Christmas in Los Angeles
1. Gifted Angels Holiday Gift Drive for Maryvale
Every December, Gifted Angels collects gifts for children and mothers served by Maryvale, Los Angeles County’s oldest children’s charity. Maryvale identifies what is needed, we turn that into an Amazon Charity Wishlist, and our volunteers hand-wrap and deliver every gift in person. Last year, we organized and delivered the entire drive in just 72 hours. Read how our first holiday drive went.
- How to give: order from our wishlist and items ship straight to our team, or make a donation and we will shop for you.
- Why give here: 100% of proceeds go directly to the children and families of Maryvale, with nothing taken out for overhead.
2. LAFD and ABC7 Spark of Love Toy Drive
The Los Angeles Fire Department and ABC7 have run the Spark of Love Toy Drive for more than three decades. You can drop off a new, unwrapped toy or sporting good at any neighborhood fire station or participating Subaru retailer during the drive. Check the LAFD website for this year’s dates.
3. Toys for Tots
The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program collects new, unwrapped toys at drop-off sites across Los Angeles County, often in stores, banks and offices. Search your ZIP code on the Toys for Tots website to find the closest location and deadline.
4. Local Schools, Shelters and Places of Worship
Many schools, family shelters and churches run their own small drives. These can be the most personal way to give, because you often know exactly which families are being served. Always call first: smaller programs may have specific needs or limited storage.
What Toys to Donate: A Guide by Age
The most-requested gifts are not always the most expensive ones. Here is what tends to make the biggest difference:
- Babies and toddlers (0–2): board books, soft toys, stacking and sensory toys. Avoid small parts.
- Young kids (3–7): art supplies, building sets, dolls and action figures, puzzles, picture books.
- Older kids (8–12): sports balls, craft kits, chapter books, board games, science kits.
- Teens (13–17): gift cards, headphones, makeup and grooming sets, journals, sports gear. Teens are often the most overlooked age group in toy drives.
A cozy extra goes a long way, too. Pajamas, socks and a book tucked in alongside a toy make a gift feel complete.
Toy Donation Do’s and Don’ts
- Do buy new. Most drives cannot accept used or opened items for safety reasons.
- Do leave gifts unwrapped unless the drive asks otherwise, so volunteers can check them and match them to the right child.
- Do donate early. Most Los Angeles toy drives wrap up in mid-December so gifts can be sorted and delivered.
- Don’t donate toy weapons or anything violent; many programs will not accept them.
- Don’t forget batteries for electronic toys.
- Don’t overlook the moms and caregivers. A small gift for a parent can mean just as much.
How Gifted Angels Makes Sure Every Gift Counts
We keep our holiday drive simple and personal. We work directly with Maryvale to find out what the children and mothers need, we make sure every gift is equal in value so no child feels left out, and we deliver the gifts ourselves. Because Gifted Angels donates 100% of proceeds, every dollar you give becomes something a child can hold in their hands.
Want to see what that looks like? Read about our Easter celebration at Maryvale, where every child went home with a basket of gifts of their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I donate used toys in Los Angeles?
Most holiday toy drives, including Spark of Love and Toys for Tots, only accept new, unwrapped toys. Gently used toys are better suited to thrift stores or local buy-nothing groups.
When is the deadline to donate toys for Christmas?
Deadlines vary by program, but most Los Angeles drives collect toys from mid-November through mid-December. Give as early as you can so volunteers have time to sort and deliver.
Are toy donations tax deductible?
Gifts to a registered 501(c)(3) charity are generally tax deductible if you itemize, so keep your receipt. Note that the new deduction for non-itemizers that starts in 2026 only covers cash gifts, not donated items. We are not tax advisors, so check with a tax professional about your situation.
Give a Child Something to Smile About This Christmas
However you choose to donate toys for Christmas in Los Angeles this year, the most important thing is that you choose to give. If you would like your gift to go directly to the children of Maryvale, shop our wishlist, donate or sign up to help us wrap and deliver gifts.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
