Inkind Donation FAQs
What things does Children’s need most?
Where and when can I donate items?
Can I donate stuffed animals?
My kids have some toys they’ve outgrown. Can Children’s use them?
Can I come with my kids or group to deliver gifts directly to a patient or patients?
My class or group would like to make cards for the kids at Children’s. Do you accept cards for kids?
My class or group would like to make blankets. What types and sizes work best?
I’m a knitter and would like to knit items. What things to you need most?
I’d like to donate books. Do you accept new or used books?
What things does Children’s need most?
Spending time in the hospital can be difficult for children and their families. Special toys and activities, however, can help make their hospital experience less stressful. You can help by providing the gift of new toys, crafts, and other items for children of all ages — infants through teens. To help facilitate your gift, Children's has developed a Wish List of items needed throughout the hospital, including at the bedside and in our playrooms. You can find the wish list of toys and gift online: Click here.
Where and when can I donate items?
Gifts can be dropped off at either the Minneapolis or St. Paul hospitals at the Welcome Desk. For addresses and directions, please click here. If you prefer to mail your itams, send them to the hospital addresses and to the attention of "Child Life Department". When you arrive at the Welcome Desk, the staff will have you fill out a donation form, which will then be processed and a receipt will be mailed to you.
Clean, new stuffed animals can be donated to Children’s and our Child Life team will distribute these to patients.
My kids have some toys they’ve outgrown. Can Children’s use them?
Out of concern for the safety, immunity and allergies of many of our patients, we are unable to accept donations of toys that have been previously played with or part of private collections.
Can I come with my kids or group to deliver gifts directly to a patient or patients?
Due to privacy and infection prevention concerns, we aren't able to bring community members or groups onto the hospital floors to give gifts directly to patients. For groups who'd like to bring donations to the hospital, we can meet them and offer a tour of the public parts of the building. To arrange a group donation and tour, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 651-855-2800.
My class or group would like to make cards for the kids at Children’s. Do you accept cards for kids?
Yes. We accept cards. These can be dropped off or if you prefer to mailed to the attention of the "Child Life Department" at either the Minneapolis or St. Paul hospital campuses. We see patients from a wide variety of backgrounds and general get well greetings that suit a broad range of traditions are most useful: seasonal themes, friendship, thinking of you, expression of care, for example.
My class or group would like to make blankets. What types and sizes work best?
Children’s accepts and regularly distributes blankets. Fleece is preferred since it's non-allergenic. Remember that we see patients from preemies to 18 YOs, so a variety of sizes, patterns, and colors is appreciated.
I’m a knitter and would like to knit items. What things to you need most?
We can accept and use knit items, especially for preemies and newborns. Hats of all sizes and scarfs and mittens are the items we use most.
I’d like to donate books. Do you accept new or used books?
We are able to accept donations of books. New books are preferred. We can also use lightly used books that are sturdy enough to be sanitized.
