Items We Accept
Cradles to Crayons accepts a wide range of new and like-new items for children from birth through age 12. These items are used to assemble packages for the children we serve, each created with great care to meet their specific needs. We then distribute these packages through our network of Service Partners across Massachusetts.
Our mission strives to provide every child with the essentials they need to feel safe, warm, and valued. You can help us by making sure that your like-new donations are high-quality: not ripped, stained, or broken, and appropriate for children. Please see a list of what we accept below, and review our quality guidelines here.
Most Needed Items:
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- Clothing (youth sizes 0-20 and adult sizes small & medium)
- Winter Coats and Jackets
- Shoes (infant/child sizes 5-13 and adult sizes 1-10)
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What We Accept:
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- Clothing and coats (youth sizes 0–20 and adult sizes small & medium)
- New socks and underwear
- New Pajamas
- Shoes, boots, sneakers, and sandals (infant/child sizes 5–13 and adult sizes 1–10)
- Books, especially baby board books
- New arts and crafts/school supplies
- Unopened diapers and training pants
- New hygiene items
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Click here for a more detailed list of our Donation Guidelines.
In the interest of the health/safety of the families we serve and in consideration of the limited space they may have access to, we cannot accept the following:
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- We are not able to accept toys or baby gear of any kind (e.g., stuffed animals, play structures, strollers, car seats)
- Bathing suits or costumes
- Bedding
- Bicycles or ride-on toys
- Books and clothing with family-related messaging (“I Love Mommy,” “Daddy and I”)
- Cribs of any kind (due to recalls)
- DVDs/CDs/VHS tapes/computer games
- Electronics
- Furniture and household goods/items
- Knitted hats, mittens or gloves
- Rackets, mitts, hockey sticks, bats, helmets, skates, shin guards/pads
- Religious or holiday-related books
- Used arts and crafts/school supplies
- Used hygiene products, baby food, breast pumps and supplies, or bottles
- Used underwear or socks
- Violent toys/games
- Whitening toothpaste
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Have items that we can’t accept? Click here to find a place to donate them.