The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive
The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive is the largest toy drive in Nanaimo and has been in operation since 1983. Each year we work together with our community donors, volunteers, and business partners to help make Christmas a merry one for families in need. In addition to providing new, unwrapped toys and gifts, we also provide books, stocking stuffers, and stuffed animals for each child, and a game or puzzle for each family. The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive serves the communities of Nanaimo, Lantzville, Cedar, and Cassidy.
News & Updates!
Gift Ideas!
0-2 Years Old
3-5 Years Old
6-8 Years Old
9-12 Years Old
13-17 Years Old
0-2 Years Old Gift Ideas
Toys: Learning toys (e.g. shapes, numbers, letters, animals, sensory, etc.), Fisher-Price interactive learning toys, Tummy time mats, Activity gyms, Learn-to-walk/push toys, Pretend play (e.g. food set, tool kit, medical kit, etc.), Dolls, Vehicles, Music (e.g. drum, keyboard, noise makers, etc.), blocks, LEGO (Duplo), Peppa Pig
Books: Board books by Sandra Boyton, Dr. Seuss, Robert Munsch, “That’s not my…..” series by Fiona Watt.
3-5 Years Old Gift Ideas
Toys: Learning toys (e.g. shapes, numbers, letters, animals, colours, feelings, etc.), Pretend play (e.g. food set, tool kit, medical kit, etc.), Dolls, Vehicles/Trains, Dinosaurs, CoComelon, Bluey, Gabby’s Dollhouse sets, Super Heroes (e.g. Batman, Spiderman, etc.), Music (e.g. drum, keyboard, noise makers, etc.), LEGO (Duplo, City, Disney, Jurassic World, etc.), Sports (e.g. basketball, baseball, soccer, etc.), STEM kits (Science, coding, robotics, etc.), Kinetic Sand, Paw Patrol, Frozen, Thomas & Friends, Peppa Pig, Barbie playsets.
Books: Books by Mo Willems (“The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!”, “Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”), Elise Gravel, Ashley Spires, “Bad Kitty” series by Nick Bruel.
6-8 Years Old Gift Ideas
Toys: LOL Surprise, Minecraft, LEGO (City Stuntz, Dreamzzz, Creator 3-in-1, Disney, Jurassic World, Friends, Minecraft, Dots, etc.), Music (e.g. keyboard, guitar, etc.), Sports (e.g. basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, etc.), Scooters, STEM kits (Science, coding, robotics, etc.), Craft kits (e.g. slime kits, bath bomb making kits, etc.), Dolls, Vehicles, Super Heroes, Star Wars, Barbie playsets, Hot Wheels playsets, Unicorns, Pokémon
Books: Books by Aaron Blabey (“Thelma the Unicorn”, “The Bad Guys” series, “Pig the Pug”), “Warriors” series by Erin Hunter, “Dragon Masters” series by Tracey West, “Diary of a Pug” series by Kyla May, “Press Start” series by Thomas Flintham, “Narwhal and Jelly” series by Ben Clanton, “Binky” series by Ashley Spires, “Bad Kitty” series by Nick Bruel.
9-12 Years Old Gift Ideas
Toys: Craft kits (e.g. slime kits, bath bomb making kits, jewelry making kits, etc.), Fine Art sets, Nail polish and art sets, STEM kits (e.g. Science, coding, robotics, etc.), Tech Deck, Nerf or similar, Remote control vehicles/drones, LEGO (Ninjago, Star Wars, Friends, Harry Potter, Dots, Super Mario, Technic, etc.), Music (e.g. keyboard, guitar, etc.), Sports (e.g. basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis, etc.), Skateboards, Scooters, Star Wars, Pokémon, Sleeping bags
Books: Books by Katherine Applegate (“Crenshaw”), Choose Your Own Adventure series, “I Survived” series by Lauren Tarshis, “The Baby-Sitters Club” graphic novel series by Ann M. Martin, “Wings of Fire” graphic novel series by Tui. T. Sutherland, “Warriors” series by Erin Hunter, “The Bad Guys” graphic novel series by Aaron Blabey, “Bone” graphic novel series by Jeff Smith, “Weird but True!” non-fiction series by National Geographic Kids, “Guinness World Records” books, “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling.
13-17 Years Old Gift Ideas
Gifts: Wireless speakers, Headphones with microphone, Gaming headphones, Music (e.g. keyboard, guitar, etc.), Fine Art sets, Photography, Makeup, Hair styling tools (e.g. blow-dryer, straightener, curling iron, etc.), Shaving kits, Wallets, Belts, Room decor, Sleeping bags, Sports (e.g. basketball, baseball, volleyball, hockey, soccer, tennis, etc.), Skateboards/Longboards, STEM kits (Science, coding, robotics, etc.), Nerf or similar, Remote control vehicles/drones, LEGO (Star Wars, Botancials, Architecture, Harry Potter, Speed Champions, Technic, etc.), Gift cards (e.g. Sport Chek, Chapters, Old Navy, Woodgrove Centre, Happy Teen etc.)
Books: “Iron Widow”, Books by Sarah Dessen, Angie Thomas (“The Hate U Give”).
Drop Off Locations
Donations of NEW unwrapped toys and gifts (we no longer accept used items) can be dropped off at any of our drop-off locations until December 10, 2023:
- Woodgrove Centre (near Guest Services)*
- Nanaimo North Town Centre (near London Drugs)*
- Country Club Centre (near Shoppers Drug Mart)*
- Coastal Community Credit Union (all locations)
- Save-on-Foods (all locations)
- Nanaimo Fire Stations (I, 2, 3 & 4)
- The Port Theatre
- Nanaimo Museum
- Budget Self Storage (North Nanaimo)
- Lucid (35 Commercial St)
- Pomme Natural Market (6560 Metral Dr)
- Sun Valley Pools and Spas (2520 Bowen Rd)
- Chateau Wolff Estate (2534 Maxey Rd)
- Dropzone Games (2520 Bowen Rd)
- Ernie’s Blackpoint Repair (587 Townsite Rd)
- VIDrives.ca (2595 Bowen Rd)
- Mercedes-Benz Nanaimo (2472 Kenworth Rd)
- Footprints Security Patrol Inc. (Unit 3A 4890 Rutherford Rd)
- Westland Insurance (#8-1533 Estevan Rd)
- Niik Steel Inc. (1061 Maughan Road)
- Nanaimo Mitsubishi (2348 Kenworth Rd)
*Collections continue until Christmas at these locations
Other Ways To Help
Get Involved
A Volunteer Driven Organization
The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive depends on the valued efforts of our volunteers. You can help make a difference in the lives of children in our community. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering your time.
Donate
Donate to the Greater Nanaimo Toy Drive
Your generous contribution will help our team of elves purchase toys for children in our community.