Parents urged to donate toys as unopened gifts ‘pile up’ at home

A recent poll of 1,000 parents with children aged three to 10 has uncovered that on average, kids have eight unused toys, half of which are still in their original packaging. 

At many homes, a handful of favourite toys take precedence during playtime, with 37% of parents observing that their children tend to overlook the rest.

Additionally, 33% of parents report that their offspring are more inclined to spend time on electronic devices than playing with toys, resulting in numerous gifts being left untouched.

As Christmas looms, a whopping 80% of parents are gearing up for a toy clear-out to make room for the new batch of gifts expected on December 25.

Of those, a significant majority (63%) are looking to donate the unplayed toys to charity, and another 50% aim to hand them down to younger family members or friends.

This study was initiated by Skipton Building Society to support its annual Christmas charity toy drive. Collaborating with organisations such as Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, Skipton branches nationwide are welcoming donations of new, unwrapped toys to aid underprivileged children.

To assist parents in tidying up before the festive season, Dilly Carter, a professional organiser known from the television programme Sort Your Life Out, has provided some guidance.

She encourages parents to include their children in decluttering by presenting it as an opportunity to “find new homes” for toys they no longer need, and to categorise items into keep, donate, and recycle groups.

“Decluttering before Christmas is the perfect way to make room for new gifts and give your child a fresh start in the new year,” Carter advised.

A whopping 73% of parents are set to throw a lifeline to friends and family hit hard by financial strains. Nearly half (48%) will give thoughtful gifts, while 47% will share spare items they no longer use.

Furthermore, a generous 69% of households intend to bolster charitable causes this festive season, with most popular donations including toys (51%), clothes (51%), and food (46%) – all ensuring comfort and joy for those in need.

Helen McGinity, Skipton Building Society’s head honcho of financial advice distribution, couldn’t help but beam: “It’s heartwarming to see families embracing the spirit of giving, not just through what they share, but by teaching their kids the vital lesson of helping those less fortunate.

“We’re delighted to play a small part in facilitating this by opening up our branches nationwide to collect new toys for charities, supporting children this Christmas and making a real difference this festive season.”