Toy donations

Thanks for your interest in donating toys to sick kids.

Your donations are valuable and used to ensure that babies, children and young people have access to developmentally appropriate resources, allowing them to have some much needed fun, and also learn while in hospital.

The donations we receive are used throughout the year for holidays, birthdays, milestones and even pick-me ups.  So that we can ensure the toys you donate are age appropriate and safe for sick kids, here are some guidelines on what we can/cannot accept.

  • All toys must meet Australian Safety Standards
  • For health and safety reasons, toys must be brand new, unopened and still in manufacturers' packaging or with the tags attached
  • There's no need to wrap the toy as we need to see it to make sure it is appropriate for each child
  • We don't accept toy guns, swords or war games
  • We don't accept electrical, spark-producing toys (due to fire regulations)
  • We don't accept bikes, scooters, tricycles, rollerskates etc.
  • Toys can't have small or easily detachable parts that can be swallowed, or easily removable button batteries
  • Toys can’t have moving parts that can pinch fingers or hair
  • Toys can’t have dangers such as breakable glass, protrusions, sharp edges, or long cords
  • Glue or paint in craft kits must be non-toxic and non-flammable
  • All DVDs need to be G or PG Rated

But don't despair—while that might seem like a lot of exclusions, check out our shopping lists of toys that are warmly welcomed because they suit a broad range of children.

Our patients range from newborns through to 18-year-olds. We receive donations for children aged between 3 and 11 years on a reasonably regular basis, however, we have large numbers of young patients aged 0-3 years and also 12-18 years that we desperately need items for as well. We kindly ask that you also consider these age groups when donating.

We ask that you are COVID safe when preparing and delivering your donation by performing hand hygiene and wearing a mask.  It is also extremely important that you are 100% healthy, have not been to any COVID hotspots, or are in contact with anyone who is COVID positive.

PLEASE NOTE: To protect the privacy of our patients and families, the community are not able to hand out toys on our wards or directly to our patients. 

Age Appropriate Toys

Newborns (0-2 years)

  • Rattles
  • Baby books
  • Baby rings
  • Soothers
  • Play Centres

Little Toddlers (3-5 years)

  • Play-Doh
  • Duplo and Megablocks
  • Thomas the Tank Engine
  • Sesame Street
  • Stickers
  • Imaginative toys (e.g. tea sets, tool kits)
  • Books for little people
  • Musical instruments
  • Pillow Pets

School Aged Children (6-11 years)

  • Lego
  • Hot Wheels cars and trucks
  • Board games
  • Arts and craft materials
  • Science kits
  • Hair accessories and Nail Polish
  • Jigsaw puzzles

Adolescents (12+ years)

  • Gift vouchers
  • Lego
  • Bluetooth speakers and headphones
  • Nail polish
  • Beach accessories (e.g. towel, hat, sunnies)
  • Nintendo Switch Lite and games
  • Jewellery
  • Typo accessories (stationery store)
  • Card games

Special Needs and Palliative Care Children

  • Pillow Pets
  • Cause and effect toys
  • Nail Polish
  • Fidget toys
  • Musical soft toys
  • Massage cremes
  • Wireless speakers
  • Mood lights

General Daily Use Items

  • Gift vouchers
  • Lego and Duplo
  • Play-Doh
  • Books
  • Bluetooth speakers/headphones
  • Science and medical kits
  • Sensory items (e.g. bubble blowers, fidget toys)
  • Colouring and activity books
  • Craft kits 
  • Portable DVD players

Gift Vouchers

  • Amazon Australia
  • iTunes or Google Play
  • Toymate
  • JB HI FI 
  • Cotton On 
  • Westfield
  • Visa or MasterCard prepaid
  • Cinemas

Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick

This year, we are asking you to consider donating gift cards instead of toys. Gift cards are a great way to support our patients, as they help us to surprise them with their perfect present!  If you would prefer to donate toys, we are still more than happy to accept these!

In order to manage the numbers of people who are coming in to the Hospital, no entertainers, donors or community members will be able to enter the Hospital to drop off toys.  Instead, the Public Relations and Child Life and Music Therapy teams are able to meet you out the front of the Hospital to collect the donation. You must pre-arrange this with a staff member before arriving so please contact the Public Relations team on 02 9382 3570.

Alternatively, you are welcome to post your donations to:

Attn: Jessica Cooper
Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick
Public Relations Office, Ground Floor
High Street
RANDWICK NSW 2031

The Children's Hospital at Westmead

In order to manage the numbers of people who are coming in to the Hospital, no entertainers, donors or community members will be able to enter the Hospital to drop off toys. 

Small quantities of toys can be mailed to:

Attn: Jessica Cooper
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Public Relations, Level 2
Locked Bag 4001
WESTMEAD NSW 2145

Larger quantities of toys should be delivered in consultation with The Children's Hospital at Westmead Public Relations (please contact the Public Relations team on 02 9845 3364 to coordinate), and mailed to:

Attn: Jessica Cooper (Public Relations)
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Redbank Road
Receiving Dock 5
NORTHMEAD NSW 2145

Note: Receiving Dock deliveries will be accepted between Mon-Fri, 7:30am-3:30pm and must be pre-arranged so that a staff member can meet you at the receiving dock.  This is to ensure sufficient staff are available to assist, and if required trolleys are made available.