Give Back: San Diego Holiday Toy Drives

Good-hearted locals see the holiday season as an opportunity to give to those in need and lend a helping hand wherever possible. It’s a time of selfless acts; when we pause with gratitude for what we have and find creative ways to return the goodness to the world.

Donating toys to children with less is just one of the many ways to give back this season. Imagine the joy of a child unwrapping a brand new toy delivered from a complete stranger. The quickest way to ease holiday stress is sharing a smile with a child.

Discover local businesses where you can give back this season

Bub’s at the Ballpark Toy Drive – December 14

Teaming up with Stay Classy, Bub’s at the Ballpark is bringing a massive toy drive to town. Bring an unwrapped toy to Bub’s on December 14, and you’ll receive a raffle ticket. Grand giveaways of the evening include Chargers tickets, a Padre gift basket and a table and bottle at Block No. 16. Plus, sport your craziest threads - the ugly sweater contest will reward the fabulously awful sweaters with a $100 Bub’s gift card. Drink specials for the night include $4 Fireballs, $4.50 Dos XX Pints and $14 pitchers. The Toy Drive starts at 5pm.

Sprinkles Toy Drive – Ongoing until December 14

Doing good never tasted so sweet. Until December 14, you can bring a new and unwrapped toy to Sprinkles La Jolla for a free cupcake of your choice. Sprinkles has teamed up with Energy 103.7 AJ’s Kids Crane to donate all toys collected to Rady Children’s Hospital.

Toys for Tots Gourmet Food Truck Festival – December 15

The first ever Toys for Tots Gourmet Food Truck Festival is rolling out at the Epicentre parking lot at 8450 Mira Mesa Blvd. From 11:30am to 5pm, 18 of San Diego’s top gourmet food trucks will serve food for a good cause and fun for the whole family. All ages are invited to partake in the arts and crafts, live music and carnival rides. Participating food trucks include Thai 1 On, Super Q, New York on Rye, Underdogs, Slow Cal BBQ, Pierogi Truck and Devilicious. Tickets are $5 per adult or one unwrapped toy valued at $5 or more. Kids under 11 are free. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit Toys for Tots Foundation of San Diego.

Chargers Wives 21st Annual Toy Drive – December 16

Join the San Diego Chargers for the 21st annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive presented by Cymer. If you’re a Chargers fan attending the Panthers game on December 16, bring joy with a new, unwrapped toy to Qualcomm Stadium. All of the toys and cash donations will be collected as fans enter the stadium by the San Diego Chargers players’ and coaches’ wives, along with servicemen and women from the United States Marine Corps.

Katsuya Toy Drive– Ongoing until December 24

Downtown dining gives back. Katsuya is now holding their toy drive, ongoing until December 24 to benefit Toys for Tots. Diners who bring an unwrapped gift into the restaurant to donate to children in need will receive 15% off their entire dinner bill.

Discover more holiday events in our San Diego Holiday Guide