Where to Donate Stuffed Animals and Cuddly Toys in the UK
Got a bag of cuddly toys your kids have outgrown? Here's where to donate them in the UK — and what condition they need to be in.
Before You Donate
- Clean — machine wash on gentle, air dry
- Intact — no rips, missing eyes, or loose threads
- Safety labels — CE or UKCA mark still attached
Best Places to Donate in the UK
Charity Shops
Oxfam, Cancer Research UK, and the British Heart Foundation all accept clean soft toys. BHF requires the CE/UKCA label. Ring ahead.
Loved Before (London)
A dedicated soft toy rehoming service. They clean, repair, and rehome pre-loved toys. Accept donations by post or in person.
Teddy Trust
Ships toys internationally to disadvantaged communities. Accepts by post.
Women's Refuges
Contact your local Women's Aid branch. Many refuges welcome soft toys for children arriving with nothing.
Local Animal Shelters
Great for toys with minor cosmetic damage. Remove plastic eyes first.
Freecycle / Facebook Marketplace
List as "free to collect." Parents will often take entire bags within hours.
Don't donate to: NHS children's wards (infection control), clothing donation bins (landfill risk), or food banks (food only).
Wash them, check for damage, ring ahead. Five minutes of preparation means your cuddly toys reach a child instead of a bin.