Donations to child life help make the hospital more comfortable (and fun!) for kids
We are for the continued support that our patients and families receive through donations to the child life team. As a result of the pandemic, we have experienced changes in the types of items we can give out. While the importance, comfort and simple joys provided by these items remain, we ask that you continue to support our kids by donating items directly from our wish lists or funds directly to our child life department. This will enable care teams to find the most supportive toy or comfort item for children admitted to the hospital.
Ways to donate to child life
- Online – Write CHILD LIFE in the gift designation field
- Mail checks – Write CHILD LIFE in the memo section and send to: Children's Hospital Foundation, Box 980693, Richmond, VA 23298-0693
- Mail gift cards – Send gift cards (Amazon, Walmart and Target) to Child Life Department, Box 980202, Richmond, VA 23298-0202
- Online wish list for direct shipping – Shop our Amazon wish lists linked below and ship items directly to our team.
- Deliver wish list items in person – Shop using our wish list below and deliver items in person.
Wish lists
Shop and ship to child life via Amazon
Items purchased from this wish list are managed by our child life team to support children in many areas of the hospital.
Shop our Amazon wish list
Recreation Therapy wish list for Brook Road Campus
Items purchased from this wish list are managed by our recreation therapy team and support children in our long-term care unit and other children at our Brook Road Pavilion.
Shop our Amazon wish list
Wish lists for in-person donations
Arts and crafts
- Elmer’s Glue slime kits
- Playdoh and Kinetic Sand
- Crayola crayons/markers (8-16pk)
- Adult coloring books
- Word searches
- Model magic
- Window markers
Sensory toys
- Stress balls
- Squishies
- Pop-Its
Teens
- Soft blankets (not white/holiday)
- iPhone/Android/Samsung accessories
- Bluetooth speakers
- Nail polish
- Journals
- Room string lights
- Advanced Lego and art kits
Toys
- Light up and musical toys
- Pretend play food or doctor kits
- Legos (Lego brand only, >150 pcs )
- Barbies (especially African American)
- Baby dolls (especially African American)
- Marvel action figures
- Fisher Price crib soothers
Games
- Uno/Uno Splash
- Regular cards
- Sorry, Monopoly, Connect 4, etc.
- Puzzles (<500 pieces)
Miscellaneous
- Infant/toddler board books
- Stuffed animals (not holiday)
- DVDs (Disney, Marvel, new releases)
Child life donation FAQs
What kinds of donations do you accept?
We accept brand new toys in their original packaging, clothing, stuffed animals, books and handmade blankets. As far as toy brands, we love anything from Fisher Price, Melissa and Doug, Little People, Playskool and Oball. Visit our wish list for more information on our current needs.
Are there items you don't accept?
We cannot accept the following: items from dollar-style stores, ride-on toys (including bikes/scooters) for any age, religious items, holiday-themed items, toy weapons (including nerf guns), used items, collectibles of any kind, large shared items (i.e, doll houses) and R-rated movies.
Are there toys you don't currently need?
We do not currently have a significant need for the following commonly donated items: Barbies, Candyland and Chutes & Ladders.