Make an In-Kind Donation

Donated items, or gifts in-kind, can help comfort and entertain children during a stay at Children's Hospital Colorado.

How we use donations throughout the year

We rely on donations of new toys, books, stuffed animals, craft materials and other gifts throughout the year, not just at the holidays. We typically keep them in the many playrooms throughout the hospital to help children and families feel at home.

Our therapists and child life specialists use these donations as part of a child’s treatment plan. Play supports a child’s healing process and eases what can sometimes be a stressful experience for families. Kids can also choose a gift to celebrate exciting events, like birthdays, holidays or finishing a procedure or treatment plan.

How to make an in-kind donation to Children’s Colorado

We’re looking for donations for children of all ages. Newborns, infants, toddlers and adolescents are the age groups in greatest need.

Please keep these important details in mind:

• Review our list of donation guidelines below and ensure that your items meet the criteria.
• To request a list of age-specific or location-specific items, contact the Association of Volunteers office.
• If you prefer to deliver your gifts in person, please call the Association of Volunteers office prior to your arrival so a volunteer can meet you at the main entrance.
• We welcome you to capture photo or video of your group and donation outside of the hospital and without any bystanders. 
• We’ll provide a tax receipt for your files.

Where to donate

Remember, receiving gifts in the mail or at the main entrance allows us to provide a protective and private environment for patients, donors and team members. For privacy reasons, filming, photographing or recording inside our facilities is strictly prohibited.

Please bring or mail donations to the following locations:

Aurora

Children’s Hospital Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus

Association of Volunteers

13123 E. 16th Ave.

Aurora, CO 80045

Call the Association of Volunteers office when you arrive: 720-777-6887 

Email: Donations@childrenscolorado.org

Broomfield

Children's Hospital Colorado, North Campus

Association of Volunteers 

469 State Highway 7

Broomfield, CO 80023

Call the Association of Volunteers office when you arrive: 720-478-5132.

 

Highlands Ranch

Children’s Hospital Colorado, South Campus  

Association of Volunteers 

1811 Plaza Dr

Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Call the Association of Volunteers office when you arrive: 720-478-0099.

 

Colorado Springs

Children’s Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs  

Association of Volunteers 

4090 Briargate Pkwy 

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Call the Association of Volunteers office when you arrive: 719-305-7042.

Email: COSDonations@childrenscolorado.org

In-kind donation guidelines

To help you find the right items to donate, please keep in mind:

• Items must be brand-new and in their original packaging. We cannot accept used items, due to infection control guidelines.
• We cannot accept:
  • Toys that depict violence, such as guns or swords, NERF™ guns or figurines armed with weapons
  • Games that are rated "M" or movies that are rated "R"
  • Crocheted or hand-knitted items
  • Food products
  • Potted plants
  • Latex balloons
  • Branded items that promote companies or charities

Donate blankets to Children's Colorado

Children's Colorado is always in need of blankets to provide comfort and warmth to our patients during their hospital stay. We accept donations of the following types of blankets by mail or at our four hospital locations. If you prefer to drop off the blankets in person, please contact our Association of Volunteers in advance. 

Please note that we cannot accept hand-knitted items.

No-sew fleece blankets

Hand-tied fleece blankets are not only simple to make — no sewing required! — but they also give children the power of choice during a time when personal choices are limited. Download our easy-to-follow blanket-making instructions to get started.

Sewn blankets

Quilted blankets

For those with the talent and time to sew quilts, we will gratefully accept them!

Fleece blankets for our Pediatric Mental Health Institute (light sewing)

In addition to general blanket donations, we’ve launched a special blanket-making project for children and teens receiving care through our Pediatric Mental Health Institute. These blankets are designed with sensory and safety considerations in mind to bring warmth and comfort during a difficult time. We’ve created a specific set of instructions for these blankets, which require light sewing. Volunteers are welcome to include an optional handwritten note, which we’ll ensure is safely included when the blanket is delivered.

Download instructions for the Pediatric Mental Health Institute fleece blankets.

Children’s Colorado’s wish list

Needs and wish lists vary by location, but we’re always looking for the items below. We also have wish lists available online with Amazon and Target for your consideration. Target and Amazon are not exclusive partners or vendors of Children's Colorado, we welcome the gift of toys for our patients from all retailers. 

For babies and toddlers

• Toys, including light-up, interactive and musical toys, and infant mobiles
• Music and activity boxes that attach to cribs
• Board books, including books in Spanish and recordable or interactive books
• Rattles and teethers
• Clothing (0 to 18 months)

For older children

• Sensory toys, such as wand spinners and stress balls
• Art supplies, such as paint, paintbrushes, colored pencils, markers, crayons, pastels, artists’ charcoal, sketch pads, play dough, modeling clay, coloring books, bead kits and craft kits
• Stuffed animals
• Lego^®, Duplo^® and Mega Bloks^® (all sizes and skill levels)
• Medical play kits
• "Thank you, heroes" medical action figures
• Dry-erase boards and markers
• Play-doh or similar putty
• NERF™ basketball hoops
• Books, including Spanish books and “search and find” books
• Journals
• Magnetic building tiles
• Mini cars and track sets
• Nintendo Switch™ gaming systems and games
• Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
• Sphero Bolt
• Ring Fit Adventure
• Gift cards in any amount, including Amazon, Target, Wal-Mart, Visa and Netflix
• Playing cards, Uno, Phase 10, Skip-Bo
• Bluetooth earbuds, headphones and speakers

On behalf of our patients, thank you for your kindness and generosity!