Give a Little Joy: How Tesco’s Christmas Toy Donation Scheme Works

Christmas can be tough for many families, especially when money’s tight. But this year, Tesco customers across the UK have a chance to make a real difference by donating new toys to local children who might otherwise go without.

From 3 November to 15 December 2025, more than 800 large Tesco stores will have a toy donation point near the front of the store. Here’s how it all works and how you can take part.

How to donate

It’s simple, pick up a new, unwrapped toy while you’re shopping at Tesco. Drop it off at the dedicated collection point in your local large store. Tesco will pass your gift to a local charity or community group chosen by that store’s colleagues.

The main thing to remember is that the toy must be new and unwrapped so the charity can easily match gifts to children based on age and need.

Where your toy goes

Each store partners with a local children’s charity or community group, meaning your donation helps families right in your area.

For example:

• Customers at Leicester Extra are supporting Christ the King Church, which helps local families struggling this Christmas.

• Shoppers at Newcastle Extra will see their toys go to Pathways 4 All, a North East charity supporting children with special needs.
  

Other organisations across the UK include Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice, Amelia’s Rainbow, Caister Community Larder, and various hospital wards, foodbanks, and Salvation Army branches. Each Tesco store selects its own partner charity, often one it already supports through community projects.

What to donate

Toys of any size or price are welcome, but think practical, so presents such as, board games, books, or creative sets for older kids and teddies, dolls, or cars for younger ones, and puzzles, colouring books, and stationery for all ages.

Tesco asks that all items be new, unused, and unwrapped. This keeps everything hygienic and allows charities to wrap the gifts themselves.

Making a difference without overspending

You don’t need to spend much to make a child smile. Tesco often runs toy deals, Clubcard discounts, and 3-for-2 offers in the run-up to Christmas.

A few money-savvy ways to give:

• Use Clubcard vouchers to pay for your donation.

• Combine with toy promotions so you can donate one and keep the other.

• Stack cashback through apps like JamDoughnut or Complete Savings to stretch your budget further.
  

Even a small £5 colouring set or soft toy can brighten a child’s Christmas morning!

Why it matters

Last year, Tesco customers donated around 125,000 toys nationwide. This year, the retailer hopes to beat that number and reach even more families.

As Claire De Silva, Tesco’s Head of Communities, said: “Thanks to the generosity of our customers and colleagues, the annual toy donation campaign is a wonderful way to make a difference at Christmas.”

Important dates

The drop off scheme runs from 3rd November to 15 December 2025, and is for new and unwrapped toys only. Over 800 large Tesco stores across the UK are participating.

(Some donation points may close earlier if local charities collect toys sooner.)

Are other supermarkets doing the same?

Yes. Other UK retailers are running similar festive donation drives. Lidl’s Toy Bank lets shoppers drop off new and unopened toys, and it doesn’t specify that you have to buy them there. That’s handy if you’ve already picked up a bargain elsewhere.

Other organisations, such as Dunelm and The Salvation Army, are also collecting gifts for families in need, while some supermarkets, such as Morrisons, make direct toy donations to charities instead of running public drop-offs, and Lidl has a toy drop-off collection box in stores until December 15th.

It’s fair to say Tesco’s scheme helps boost in-store toy sales since the official line mentions toys “purchased in store”. But it’s also a genuine community project. The gifts go to real local families and children who might otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas morning.

So if you’re planning to donate, buy smart. Use Clubcard deals, vouchers, or toy offers, but remember that even a small £5 gift can make a huge difference to a child nearby.

Penny Pincher Tip: Give generously without overspending

You don’t need to splash out to make a difference. Look for Clubcard prices, 3-for-2 toy offers, or use cashback apps like JamDoughnut to trim the cost before donating.

If you’ve got Clubcard vouchers about to expire, this is a brilliant way to put them to good use.

And remember, a small act of kindness is still powerful. Whether it’s a puzzle, teddy, or colouring set, every toy dropped in that box helps make Christmas morning a little brighter for a child who needs it.

FAQ: Tesco Christmas Toy Donation 2025

Can I donate second-hand toys at Tesco? No. The scheme is only for new and unwrapped toys. Charities need to make sure every gift is clean, safe, and suitable for the child receiving it. If you want to pass on good-quality second-hand toys, local charity shops or baby banks are a better option.

Does the toy have to be bought from Tesco? Officially, Tesco says toys should be “purchased in store”. That implies they expect them to come from Tesco, but realistically, there’s no barcode check. If you’ve already bought a new toy elsewhere, it’s unlikely to be refused.

Do all Tesco stores take part? No. The scheme only runs in large Tesco stores across the UK, around 800 in total. Smaller Tesco Express branches don’t have donation points.

What happens to the toys after I donate them? Your donation goes directly to a local charity or community group chosen by your store’s colleagues. These could be children’s hospices, food banks, church projects, or groups like the Salvation Army. They then wrap and distribute the toys to children who might otherwise go without.

When does the Tesco toy collection end? The collection runs from 3rd November to 15th December 2025, though some stores may close their donation points early if charities need to start distribution.

Can I donate online instead? No. The Tesco scheme is in-store only. If you’d prefer to donate online, charities such as The Salvation Army, Barnardo’s, and Action for Children all have Christmas gift appeals you can support.

Are other supermarkets doing similar schemes? Yes. Lidl, Dunelm, and several others run toy donation or gift appeal campaigns. Some are more flexible and accept toys bought anywhere, which can help you give more for less.

Is this just a way for Tesco to sell more toys? It’s understandable to wonder. Yes, the “purchased in store” rule benefits sales, but the scheme still has a strong community focus. Every toy donated reaches a local child in need. If you were already buying toys for Christmas, this is a simple and thoughtful way to spread that joy a bit further.