Gift Suggestions for Homeless Children
All children like to get gifts but some children have few opportunities to get something of their own. Poor children and particularly homeless children miss out on many of the gifts and holidays homed children enjoy.
The following is a list of things that would make excellent gifts for homeless children, whether for Christmas, any occasion, or just because you want to give. Please consider giving one or more of the following suggested items to your local homeless shelter as gifts for homeless children in your area.
Photo by Zerobug, SXC
The following is a list of things that would make excellent gifts for homeless children, whether for Christmas, any occasion, or just because you want to give. Please consider giving one or more of the following suggested items to your local homeless shelter as gifts for homeless children in your area.
Photo by Zerobug, SXC
Contents at a Glance
Tips for Choosing Gifts for Homeless Children
Avoid toys with small parts that could easily be lost, otherwise, it's likely the child will only have part of a toy in a very short time.
Avoid anything that looks or is expensive. Expensive-looking toys, electronics, clothes, or shoes can make a homeless child a target for theft or vandalism.
Photo by Cynthia Berridge
While I've illustrated this article with Amazon products, the best places to get gifts for homeless children are local stores, department store chains, discount stores, thrift stores, and even your own closets.
Winter Coats, Hats, Gloves, and Mittens All Make Great Gifts for Homeless Children
Winter Coats
Winter coats are often in short supply at charities that help homeless people as children quickly outgrow them and not enough people donate them. A fun winter coat makes an excellent gift for a homeless child.
Winter Hats
Warm knit hats in colors for boys or girls or in neutral tones are always welcome. Hats often get lost by children, homeless or not, and having more than one hat helps to keep homeless children's hair clean. Cute styles and colors can make this very practical gift for homeless children a fun gift as well.
Gloves and Mittens
Warming gifts for homeless children
No matter the season, anyone who might be sleeping outdoors or in a car at some point would welcome a pair of gloves or mittens to help them stay warm. Stretchy, one-size-fits-most gloves are a good choice because they will fit a variety of sizes, continue to fit as the children grow, and, due to stretchiness, can be layered over another pair of gloves if necessary. Warm fuzzy mittens can be put over gloves on the coldest days to keep little hands warm, too.
Stuffed Toys That Double as Something Else
Some stuffed toys can double as pillows, blankets, or pajama storage bags. Multipurpose stuffed toys make great gifts for homeless children because they serve multiple functions and take up the same space as a single function item. The popular "Zoobie" toys and similar knockoffs can serve as blanket, pillow, and toy all in one.
Coloring Books and Crayons
This is one gift for homeless children for which I'm going to suggest you break the no small, easily lost parts rule. Homeless children can quickly learn to put the crayons right back into the box after each use. Even if they lose some of the crayons, even a single crayon can keep a homeless child engaged and entertained if she has something to color or draw on.
Pens and Pencils
Pens and pencils make very practical gifts for homeless children. They are small and easily carried. Pens or pencils on a cord or lanyard make the best gifts of this type. The lanyard or cord can be hung around their neck like a necklace or attached to their clothing or a backpack to prevent loss. Pretty pencils and pens are available for girls and more masculine designs are available for boys. However, plain pens and pencils also make nice gifts for homeless children of all ages.
Toys
Toys of all sorts make some of the best gifts for homeless children. When choosing toys as gifts for homeless children, be sure to choose sturdy, easily portable toys without small parts that can be too easily lost.Small stuffed animals, cars, dolls, and single piece logic puzzle toys are very popular with homeless children and provide much-needed entertainment, comfort, and mental stimulation.
Photo by Michal Zacharzewski, SXC
Children's Books
Age appropriate children's books make excellent gifts for homeless children. Avoid books with pop-up pictures as they will come apart much more quickly than regular books. Keep size in mind when choosing books as gifts for homeless children. As mentioned before, homeless children must often carry all of their possessions at once.
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Backpacks
Sturdy children's backpacks are one of the best gifts for homeless children. Over the years I've seen too many homeless children with nothing more than a plastic grocery bag to carry their meager belongings around. A backpack leaves hands free to do other things and makes carrying things around a lot less of a chore.
While older children would benefit from sturdier, camping type backpacks, cute backpacks work nicely for pre-teens because they are appropriately sized for them.
While older children would benefit from sturdier, camping type backpacks, cute backpacks work nicely for pre-teens because they are appropriately sized for them.
Pajamas
So many homeless children don't have pajamas. They have to sleep in their clothes, making it harder for them to keep clean and tidy. One-size-fits-most footed pajamas make wonderful gifts for homeless children. Regular pajamas also make great gifts and are much easier to find.
Tips for Giving Gifts to Homeless Children
If you do give gifts to homeless children directly, be sure to ask a parent if it's OK to do so first, just as you'd ask the parents of any homed child before giving him or her a gift.
Photo by Adam Ciesielski, SXC
Children's Hygiene Products
There are lots of nice, inexpensive hygiene products made for children. It's hard to stay clean and well-groomed when you are homeless. While very practical, children's hygiene products often also have a sense of fun that homeless children can surely benefit from. Children like to have something of their own, even if it's just a toothbrush, comb or hairbrush. Grooming kits that come in their own little bag or case make ideal gifts for homeless children.
Fleece Blankets
Fleece blankets are light and easily carried by a child. They also provide a great deal of insulation for their size and come in fun prints for children. Fleece wearable blankets can be layered even over coats to keep homeless children warm in cold weather.
Was This Guide to Gifts for Homeless Children Helpful?
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What Would You Give as Gifts for Homeless Children?
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Ruthi
Apr 9, 2012 @ 12:12 pm | delete
- Many good ideas for gifts for homeless children, year round.
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bloomingrose
Mar 13, 2012 @ 2:00 am | delete
- What a wonderful lens, but then again that is the quality that I have come to expect from you. :) Cool suggestion: don't give pop-up books because they come apart so easily. Angel Blessed!
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juniperberry
Feb 4, 2012 @ 11:13 pm | delete
- I really like some of these ideas - thanks!
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benny77
Dec 24, 2011 @ 11:13 am | delete
- Very thoughtful of you to put this out there!!! Thank you and Merry Christmas to everyone. Glad to see people are doing what they can for those less fortunate
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ludys
Dec 24, 2011 @ 11:03 am | delete
- Thank you for sharing your ideas. Less fortunate children should not be forgotten.
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Small and Soft Toys Make Great Gifts for Homeless Children
6 Plush Velour Animal Hand Puppets
Amazon Price: $11.00 (as of 05/31/2012)
These soft puppets make excellent gifts for homeless children due to their small size and cuddliness. Having a soft toy to cuddle helps homeless children get to sleep. The puppet aspect makes the toy more entertaining for creative play.
Lives Turned Upside Down: Homeless Children in Their Own Words and Photographs
Amazon Price: $7.12 (as of 05/31/2012)
Learn more about homeless children through their own words and photos.
