10/28/2026
This is another helpful guide with the shoebox items that was recently posted.
Some of you are shopping for Operation Christmas Child now so I thought I would share this. I came across it recently and thought it was good to know. ⬇️
FYI for anyone involved with Shoebox Missions this year. Very helpful info about what is actually useful and prevents a lot of waste. This info is from a church member that just returned from a mission. Shoeboxes were delivered while she was there.
What did the children like best? The toys - they don't have any. The toys that are perfect and known by all kids - jacks, balls, cars, playing cards, marbles.
They didn't know what to do with legos, or puzzles. Simple toys are best, even for the older kids. Avoid toy soldiers as many of these children are in war torn areas.
They didn't know what a washcloth was. They don't use them, or towels either. She had to explain how to use them.
Feminine hygiene products for some of the older girls, especially things like washable pads!
Stuffed animals don't last long - they get filthy. Don't send white stuffies.
Many boxes contained Bibles, but the kids couldn't read them as they don't know much English. They would bring them in and ask someone to read to them. But they were King James Version - hard for anyone to read casually! If you send Bibles, send an easy to read version such NiRV.
Water bottles are gold!
Bandaids - awesome.
Tape measure - YES
Any kind of hair accessories, but especially little pony tail holders for braids.
Sewing kits.
Chalk.
Bright colored thread (thread is hard to find there).
Tools
Flashlights WITH batteries
Eating utensils, bowls, cups, anything they can put food in.
Simple books or picture books so they can practice English as they really want to learn.
Drawings by your own children, of play & family activities.
And of course pencils with sharpeners, pens, markers, crayons, notebooks, etc, for school.
