What better way to spread holiday cheer to the kids in our hospitals than sharing toys and fun?
During the winter holiday season, Children’s Minnesota has always been dedicated to providing gifts for families during their stay in the hospital.
The heart-warming tradition of providing gifts to families staying in the hospital has been around for over 40 years! And, in 2018, the official Holiday Toy Shop began thanks to the child life and music therapy teams. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we paused the shop in 2020 and 2021 but still made gifts available. It has been back since 2022, and we are so pleased to be able to continue this spectacular event again in 2024!
What is the Holiday Toy Shop?
The Holiday Toy Shop provides an opportunity for patient families to go shopping for free for their children during the many winter holidays. The shop exists on both of our St. Paul and Minneapolis hospital campuses – in the Child Life Zone in St. Paul and in the Education Center in Minneapolis.
Who can shop?
When you have a child in the hospital, the things you normally do go to the wayside. That’s why we offer the Holiday Toy Shop – to help families during this tough time, especially during the winter holiday season.
We offer all of our parents and guardians with kids staying in the hospital a chance to shop in our Holiday Toy Shop. Our outstanding child life and music therapy teams go around and invite families. It’s always preferred that only adults come in the shop as it can be overwhelming for children … and it ruins the surprise!
Plus, we offer parents and guardians to shop for any child in their family, not only the child in the hospital.
Where do the toys come from?
All of the items in the Holiday Toy Shop come from the generous donors in the community – from large corporations, school groups, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, youth programs and more! We are so grateful for all the donations we receive year-round.
Holiday Joy Drop
If you would like to donate toward the Holiday Toy Shop, consider donating during the Holiday Joy Drop. This first-time event will allow donors to drop off their items, take a photo and enjoy coffee/cocoa as they get into the holiday spirit. Donated items will be used at the annual Holiday Toy Shop, a place within the hospital campuses for parents and guardians to “shop” for their kids at no cost. This gives families one less thing to worry about during the holiday season as they care for their child in the hospital.
- Thursday, Dec. 19: 1-5 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 20: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 21: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Virtual Joy Drive
This year, you can help support the Holiday Toy Shop by participating in our Virtual Joy Drive! With your support to Children’s Minnesota’s Virtual Joy Drive, our incredible child and family services team will create and build joyful experiences by purchasing the right items at the right time – and matching them to each patient throughout the holidays and beyond.
Create a fundraising page for the Virtual Joy Drive or donate now!
