Find a Shoebox

Start with a medium sized shoebox. If you want to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately. You can use your own shoeboxes or order our colourful preprinted ones.

Attach the boy/girl label to the top of your shoebox. Mark if your gift is for a boy or a girl and select an age category 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14.

Fill it with gifts

Fill your shoebox with a selection of fun toys, school supplies and personal care items. If possible, include one or two extra special items you know a child will love such as a doll, cuddly toy or deflated football with pump. See our Gift Suggestions below for more ideas.

Make your project donation

A suggested donation of £5 is essential to cover project costs including collection, processing, shipping, project materials and training local churches to lead a safe, well-organised children’s event where your shoebox will be given to a child in need.

Give online at Follow Your Box and you can print out a barcode and place it inside your shoebox on top of the contents. This will enable us to tell you which country your shoebox gets sent to.

Personalise and pray

Pray for the child that will receive your gift. You may also like to personalise your shoebox by including a hand written note and a photograph of yourself, your group or your family.

Drop off your shoebox

Place a rubber band around each closed shoebox and take it to Erdington Elim Church at our opening times amd dates listed overleaf

Address: Erdington Elim Church, 1107 Tyburn Road, Birmingham, B24 0TG

There are so many great items you can pack in a shoebox gift and a few things to avoid. Explore our Gift Suggestions and guidance below:

Add a special item

Include a special toy that will capture a child’s attention as soon as they open the box. Ideas include:

• Cuddly toy
• Football and pump
• Toy truck
• Doll
• Musical instrument

Toys

• Toy cars
• Animal figures
• Building blocks
• Skipping rope
• Tennis ball
• Yo-yo
• Spinning top
• Mini frisbee
• Fidget spinner
• Finger puppets
• Slinky
• Travel games
• Small musical instruments
• Small puzzles etc.

Stationary

• Pens
• Pencils & sharpeners
• Crayons
• Felt tip pens
• Ruler
• Eraser
• Writing pads or notebook
• Solar calculators
• Geometry set
• Glue stick
• Pre-inked Stampers
• Colouring books
• Watercolour paint set (solid only)
• Safety scissors
• Craft kits

Toiletries 

• Comb
• Hairbrush
• Toothbrush
• Flannel
• Bar soap (packaged and/or in a container)
• Sponge
• Reusable plastic containers: cup, water bottle, plate, bowl, blunt-edged utensils (Fill an empty container with non-liquid items such as sunglasses or flannel to make use of the space)
• Non-liquid lip balm
• Nail clippers and file
• Stick deodorant
• Compact mirror

Accessories

• Hat
• Gloves
• Sunglasses
• Cap
• T-shirt
• Socks
• Flip-flops
• Small backpack, handbag or drawstring bag
• Hair bows or clips
• Friendship bracelets (woven with yarn or embroidery thread)
• Watch
• Wind-up Torch
• Necklace or bracelet
• Stickers
• A personal note and photo

Make Your Gift Fun, Full, and Personalised

For children around the world, a shoebox is often their very first gift. Given together with the Good News of Jesus Christ, it communicates God’s love to a boy or girl in need. So, it is important to make sure your gift is …

FUN—includes a special item and other quality toys

FULL—packed to the brim with additional school supplies and personal care items

PERSONALISED—prayed over and contains a note and photo, which are often the child’s favourite items!