OCC Shoebox Packing Tip | 5-9 yr old Girls

OCC Shoebox Packing Tips | Ideas for 5-9 yr old girl box

Today, we tackle another group. I have a feeling this is the group that receives the most boxes. While this post will focus on girl things, many of them could work for boys in the same age group.

Ideas for Girls 5-9

Jumbo Christmas coloring book – $.50 after Christmas sale at Dollar Tree
Hair accessory set – $.50 after Christmas stocking stuff at Walmart – I put the whole thing in each box, but you could just as easily open them and separate the items in to more sets
Princess lip gloss set – $.50 after Christmas Walmart stocking stuffer
Tissues – 8 pack $1 at Dollar Tree – even come in character designs
Play pack – activity, stickers, coloring book in a little zip pouch – $.50 after Christmas sale at Dollar Tree on Stocking Stuffers
Bars of soap from hotels – I just save these when I get a new one each day when I’m traveling
Buttons – cleaned out where I had saved the little buttons that come with a shirt or new pants, also those same buttons I found on the Walmart clearance aisle $.25 per card with multiple button on each
Packs of small playdough – 8 small tubs for $1 at Dollar Tree
Christmas stencils – 8 for $.48 after Christmas Walmart Stocking Stuffers
Crayons – $.24 each back to school shopping
Plastic cups – after valentines sale – probably 4 for $.50 (fill will all the little things and fit at the “foot” of the box
Plastic brushes – $.50 each after Christmas Walmart stocking stuffers
Pencil sharpeners – $50 for 8 after Christmas Walmart stocking stuffers – Bonus, they were shiny metallic colors so the kids will LOVE them
Erasers – cheap! The are the little erasers that come 25+ in a pouch or on a card. So many and I 3-4 in each box

What about this group? Who do you usually pack for? I’ve seen several girls this age do a sleep over and bring the items to pack in their boxes. What else should be included?

My Suggestions and General Rules for packing an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox

keep it basic – your items don’t have to be extravagant
try to find things $1 or less
think about the kids receiving these – ethnic colored dolls might be appreciated and books in English may not be read
anything is usable – the box is a gift, a cup is a gift, they may have never had a doll or a ball of their own
give them new things, this is a gift
cover all the categories – hygiene, school supplies, toys, clothing/accessories
follow the “things to avoid” list
always include a “wow” item
include a personal note, make it special your words will mean so much

If you have not seen some of my other tips for packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, you might check out these posts.