How to Get Free Toys for Kids: 8 Ways That Really Work

Quick answer: the easiest ways to get free toys for kids are free in-store build events, brand giveaways by mail, kids' magazines and clubs, toy charities like Toys for Tots, and local Buy Nothing groups. None of them need a credit card.

Toys are expensive, and kids outgrow them fast. The good news is that a lot of toys are given away every month if you know where to look. As of November 2026, TrySpree lists 15 live free toy offers and 51 more free things for kids, and we check them every day.

1. Free build events at stores

This is the most reliable way to bring home a free toy. Stores run short workshops where kids build something and keep it:

• Home Depot Kids Workshops. Held on the first Saturday of most months. Kids build a small wooden project and take it home. A recent one on our list is the free Christmas car ornament workshop.
• LEGO build events. LEGO Stores and some other retailers host free builds where kids make a mini set and keep it. See the free LEGO store build for an example.
• Craft and bookstore events. Craft stores, toy shops and bookstores run free make-and-take days, mostly on weekends and before holidays.

Spots can fill up, so sign up as soon as an event is announced.

2. Toy freebies by mail

Brands mail out small toys to get the word out about a new product. These go fast, often within a day or two. Recent ones on TrySpree include a free Plus Plus building set and a free Anomia board game.

The full list is on our free toys page. Turn on alerts there and we will tell you when a new one goes up.

3. Free kids' magazines and clubs

Not a toy exactly, but kids love getting their own mail. The LEGO Life Magazine is free for kids ages 5 to 9 and comes several times a year with comics, posters and building ideas. Many brands also run free kids' clubs that send stickers, activity books and birthday surprises.

4. Toy charities for the holidays

If money is tight this year, these programs exist for exactly that reason:

• Toys for Tots. Families can request toys through their local campaign. Sign-ups usually open in the fall and close in early December, so do not wait.
• Salvation Army Angel Tree. Parents register their children, and donors buy gifts from each child's wish list.
• Local churches, fire stations and community centers. Many run their own toy drives. Calling 211 is a quick way to find ones near you.

5. Buy Nothing and Freecycle groups

Kids outgrow toys long before they wear them out. Local Buy Nothing groups and Freecycle are full of parents giving away play kitchens, bikes, building blocks and bins of action figures. Post an "in search of" note with your child's age and what they like.

6. Toy libraries

Many public libraries now lend toys, puzzles, board games and STEM kits, just like books. Some cities also have stand-alone toy libraries. It is a great way to try a toy before you buy it, or to skip buying it at all.

7. Birthday clubs

Restaurants and stores hand out free treats and small gifts on a child's birthday when you join their free club ahead of time. Our birthday freebies guide lists the ones that are live now.

8. Product testing

Toy companies sometimes look for families to test new toys and share feedback. You apply, and if you are picked, the toy is yours to keep. Spots are limited, so treat it as a nice surprise and not a sure thing.

Insider tip: a real free toy never asks for a card number. If an offer wants you to "just pay shipping" or finish a list of surveys first, skip it. Here is how to spot a fake offer.

Common questions

How can I get free toys for Christmas?

Start early. Register with Toys for Tots or the Salvation Army Angel Tree in the fall, go to the free store build events in November and December, and check our free Christmas gifts and toys guide for offers that are open now.

Can I get free toys mailed to my house?

Yes. Brands mail free toys, games and kids' magazines, but supplies are small and they run out fast. Checking the free toys list daily, or turning on alerts, is the best way to catch them.

Are free toy offers safe?

Offers from the brand or store itself are safe. Be careful with any page that asks for a credit card, your Social Security number, or a long chain of surveys. Every offer on TrySpree says up front what it asks for.