Gift Ideas

The Great Nanaimo Toy Drive is entirely supported by the people, groups and businesses of Nanaimo. You can help by purchasing toys and gifts for children 0 – 17 years of age. Each child receives 1-2 toys or gifts, stocking stuffers, a stuffed animal, and a book.

Each family receives a game or puzzle. We get a lot more requests for games than puzzles but often don’t have enough.

Popular games include: Monopoly, Operation, Guess Who, Connect 4, Battleship, Blokus, Mouse Trap, Trouble, The Game of Life, Snakes & Ladders, The Floor is Lava, and Labyrinth

0 – 2 Years Old

Toys: Learning toys (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 (drum, piano/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

Toys: Learning toys (shapes, numbers, letters, animals, colours, feelings, etc.), Pretend play (e.g. food set, tool kit, medical kit, etc.), Dolls, Vehicles/Monster Trucks/Trains, Dinosaurs, CoComelon, Bluey, Gabby’s Dollhouse sets, Super Heroes (Batman, Spiderman, etc.), Music (drum, piano/keyboard, noise makers, etc.), LEGO (Duplo, City, Disney, Jurassic World, etc.), Sports (e.g. basketball, baseball/softball, 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 School”, “Don’t let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!”), Elise Gravel, Ashley Spires, “Bad Kitty” series by Nick Bruel.

6 – 8 Years Old

Toys: LOL Surprise, Minecraft, LEGO (City Stuntz, Dreamzzz, Creator 3-in-1, Disney, Jurasic World, Friends, Minecraft, Dots, etc.), Music (keyboard, guitar, etc.), Sports (e.g. basketball, baseball/softball, 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, Hotwheels playsets, Unicorns, Pokemon

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

Toys: Craft kits (e.g. slime kits, bath bomb making kits, jewelry making kits, etc.), Fine Art sets, Nail polish sets/Nail art, STEM kits (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 (keyboard, guitar, etc.), Sports (e.g. basketball, baseball/softball, hockey, soccer, tennis, etc.), Skateboards/Scooters, Star Wars, Pokemon, 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:

Gifts: Wireless speakers, Headphones with microphone, Gaming headphones, Music (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/softball, volleyball, hockey, soccer, tennis, etc.), Skateboards/Longboards, STEM kits (Science, coding, robotics, etc.), Nerf or similar, Remote control vehicles/drones, LEGO (Star Wars, Botanicals, Architecture, Harry Potter, Speed Champions, Technic, etc.), Gift cards (e.g. Sportchek, Chapters, Old Navy, Woodgrove, Happy Teen etc.)

Books: “Iron Widow”, Books by Sarah Dessen, Angie Thomas (“The Hate U Give”).