Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box |Christmas Giving Activity for Kids

Packing an Operation Christmas Child shoe box is one of our favorite traditions to do with our kids in November. At a time of year when we are writing our wish lists and thinking of all the items we want, it’s good to focus on someone who may be looked over to share joy in a simple, purposeful way.

What is Operation Christmas Child?

The premise is simple. You fill a box with necessities and fun with a sweet note. Then it gets shipped somewhere to provide a little hope for another child this Christmas who most likely has never received a gift. This year, the goal is to ship 11 million shoe boxes to children worldwide. Will you help make that goal possible?

How Can You Get Involved in Operation Christmas Child?

Set aside time to go shopping as a family and choose the gender and age of a child you would like to shop for. The ages are 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14.

In our family, each of our kids “adopts” a child their age, so we usually shop for four boxes. It seems to work best that our kids pick the age and gender they are and think of gifts they may like.

We talk about how these children may or may not have families, homes, or even a special toy to call their own, but that no matter what, Jesus loves them, and this little gift will bring them joy for now, and Jesus will bring them joy forever. It’s so cool to think God already knows who the box will be.

What do you include in your Operation Christmas Child box?

Unique items include stuffed animals, dolls, and mini blankets. We often tell our kids this item is something the child might sleep with.

Toys – matchbox cards, ball, mini wind-up train, ball, mini tea set, plastic jewelry, princess wand, yo-yo, jump rope, Barbie. Be careful sending anything with batteries because they cannot access replacements.

Non-liquid hygiene items – flip flops, socks, bar soap, toothbrush, washcloth, brush, or comb.

School Supplies include pens, pencils (including a sharpener), crayons, markers, a pad of paper, a solar calculator, coloring books, and picture books.

operation christmas child shoe box packing ideas

What should you not include in your shoebox?

According to Samaritan Purse, do not include candy, toothpaste, gum, used or damaged items, seeds, food, liquids/lotions, medications, vitamins, breakable items, glass or aerosol containers.

Helpful Tips as You Pack Your Shoe Box

After you shop, come home and lay it all out. We took some of the toys from the wrapping and placed them in plastic baggies to take up less room. We then put items like a puzzle into the boxes to squeeze everything in.

You can use the boxes from Samaritan’s purse or purchase your plastic shoe box. The kids liked to decorate the box with Sharpie markers. We add a bible verse as well.

Each kid writes a note to go inside to let the recipient know we pray for them this holiday season.

How Do You Gift Your Shoe Box?

Go online here and pay for the $9 shipping. You can even click the follow your box feature online to see where your box goes. Then, locate a drop-off location here.

A Wonderful Lesson in Gifting for Kids…

What an excellent way to kick off the Christmas season and remind us the greatest blessing is in giving. You still have time to get involved. Check out the website for all the details. You can do one as a family or 100, but each child who receives it will indeed smile! Have you packed a shoe box? What did you include in yours? Where did your package go?