Giving back to the community is a wonderful way to make a difference, especially for children in need. If you have gently used toys your children have outgrown, donating them can bring joy to another child’s life. In the UAE, various charities and organizations accept toy donations. Here’s your definitive guide to the best places to donate used toys in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates for 2026.
Why Donate Instead of Discarding?
Donating toys isn’t just about decluttering—it’s about creating joy and opportunity. In the UAE, where expat and local families alike often transition homes, gently used toys can:
- Help Underprivileged Children: Many children lack access to toys that enhance learning, emotional development, and early education—especially in families with limited resources.
- Promote Sustainability: Reusing toys reduces landfill waste and plastic pollution, aligning with the UAE’s 2026 sustainability vision.
- Support Growing Families: Families with newborns and toddlers often prioritize essentials like baby monitors and skincare over toys. If you’re preparing for a new baby, you may also find it useful to explore best baby monitors in the UAE(opens in a new tab) to ensure safety at home.
- Teach Generosity: Involving your kids in the donation process fosters kindness, gratitude, and empathy from a young age.
Where to Donate Toys in Dubai
1. Toys With Wings (The Specialist)
Best for: High-quality toys specifically for refugees and orphans. Toys With Wings is a dedicated initiative registered with the Emirates Red Crescent. They collect used and new toys to distribute to children in refugee camps, orphanages, and pediatric hospitals.
- How to Donate: They often host collection drives in partnership with malls (like BurJuman) or schools.
- Drop-off: Look for their branded "Toys With Wings" boxes during campaigns, often found in malls or partner locations like the Early Learning Centre (ELC).
- Website: toyswithwings.org(opens in a new tab)
2. Thrift for Good (The Eco-Friendly Choice)
Best for: Branded toys, books, and clothes in good condition. Thrift for Good is a social enterprise that resells your pre-loved items. 100% of their profits are donated to children’s charities (specifically Gulf for Good). They are transparent and sustainable.
If you’re donating toys along with baby essentials like lotions or skincare products, it’s important they’re clean, sealed, and safe. You may want to review the best baby skincare products in the UAE (opens in a new tab)to understand what items are suitable to pass on or replace responsibly.
- How to Donate: Bring your items to their stores.
- Locations: Golden Mile Galleria (Palm Jumeirah), Times Square Center, and other pop-ups.
- Website: thriftforgood.org(opens in a new tab)
3. Take My Junk / 800-Junk (The Pickup Service)
Best for: Large bulk donations, bicycles, or mixed items. If you cannot drive to a charity, these private junk removal companies will come to your door. They collect unwanted items, sell what is usable to low-income laborers, and recycle the rest.
- How to Donate: Call or WhatsApp to book a pickup slot.
- Note: This is a private service; while not a direct charity, it ensures toys reach lower-income families rather than a landfill.
- Contact: 800-JUNK (5865)
- Website: takemyjunkuae.com(opens in a new tab)
Where to Donate Toys in Abu Dhabi
4. Beit Al Khair Society
Best for: Supporting local low-income families. Active across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Beit Al Khair supports vulnerable families within the UAE. They accept household goods and toys.
- How to Donate: They have donation kiosks in many shopping centers (like Lulu Hypermarkets) and standalone donation boxes.
- Website: beitalkhair.org(opens in a new tab)
5. UAE Red Crescent Authority (Abu Dhabi Branch)
Best for: General aid packages. The UAE’s primary humanitarian arm. While they focus heavily on monetary aid and food, they accept new or excellent-condition toys to include in family aid packages.
- How to Donate: Use the donation boxes located near mosques and malls for clothes/soft toys, or visit their main branches for fragile toys.
- Website: rcuae.ae(opens in a new tab)
Where to Donate Toys in Sharjah
6. Dar Al Ber Society
Best for: Neighborhood drop-offs. A prominent charity running social welfare programs across the UAE. They are heavily active in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, accepting toy donations to support low-income families.
- How to Donate: Drop off at their ubiquitous donation bins in residential areas or arrange a pickup for bulk items.
- Website: daralber.ae(opens in a new tab)
7. Sharjah Charity International
Best for: Northern Emirates distribution. They play an active role in assisting orphans and families in distress. Toys are always welcome to bring smiles to children during Eid and holidays.
- How to Donate: Visit their main collection centers in Sharjah.
- Website: shjc.sharjah.ae(opens in a new tab)
8. The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF)
Best for: Crisis relief. Focused on refugees and children in crisis zones. They occasionally run specific drives for educational materials and comfort toys.
- How to Donate: Check their social media for specific "Toy Drive" announcements before dropping off.
- Website: tbhf.ae(opens in a new tab)
How to Prepare Your Toys for Donation
Don't just dump a bag of broken plastic. Follow these rules to ensure your donation is actually helpful:
- Cleanliness is Key: Wipe down plastic toys with disinfectant. Wash soft toys if possible.
- Check for Parts: Ensure puzzles and board games have all their pieces. A puzzle with a missing piece is frustration, not a gift.
- Sort by Age: Bag baby toys separate from LEGOs or board games. This helps charities distribute them faster.
- Power Check: If it needs batteries, remove the old dead ones to prevent leakage.
As children grow, many families also reassess schooling options. If you’re planning ahead, you might find value in exploring the top schools in Dubai for 2026(opens in a new tab) while decluttering toys and kids’ items.