Donation Pick Up Service Near Me

Where to Donate Board Games and Puzzles in Toronto

Places That Accept Board Game and Puzzle Donations in Toronto

Toronto has several options for donating reusable board games and puzzles, including scheduled pickup, a university reuse program and thrift-store donation centres.

The best option depends on how many games or puzzles you have, whether they are complete and whether you want pickup or prefer to drop them off yourself.

This guide covers practical Toronto options for donating family board games, strategy games, card games, tabletop games, children’s games, jigsaw puzzles and larger game collections.

Toronto Board Game and Puzzle Donation Options

#1 DonateYourStuff.ca

DonateYourStuff.ca provides free scheduled donation pickup for qualifying board games, card games and puzzles throughout Toronto.

Donation method: Free scheduled pickup.

Accepts: Qualifying family board games, children’s games, strategy games, card games, tabletop games, role-playing materials, miniatures, educational games, vintage games and complete puzzles.

Locations and hours:

  • Toronto: Pickup is available throughout Toronto rather than through a public drop-off location. Pickup dates and arrival windows are arranged for qualifying requests.

Important details: Games should be clean, organized and reasonably complete. Keep boards, cards, dice, pawns, tokens, tiles, miniatures, instructions and other important pieces with the correct game.

Puzzles should be complete and kept inside their original box or another clearly labelled container.

A minor non-essential missing component may not make a board game unusable, but games missing the main board, essential cards, required pieces or other parts necessary for normal play may not qualify.

Pickup is intended for donations that reasonably justify sending a vehicle. One board game or puzzle will usually not qualify on its own. Several boxes, a larger tabletop collection or games combined with other accepted donations are more likely to qualify.

Submit your location, approximate number of games, puzzles or boxes and a general description of what you have. You do not need to count every card or playing piece individually.

Official Information:

Board Game Donation Pickup

Request a Donation Pickup

#2 Toronto Metropolitan University Free Store

Toronto Metropolitan University’s Free Store accepts board games as part of its campus reuse program.

Donation method: Drop-off.

Accepts: Board games along with electronics, small appliances, office supplies, household goods, clothing and other reusable items.

Location:

  • Victoria Building
  • 285 Victoria Street, 8th Floor, Toronto

Important details: Small donations can be placed in the designated donation area on the eighth floor.

Items should be clean, functional and suitable for continued use. Dirty, broken or damaged items are not accepted.

For unusually large or fragile donations, contact the Sustainability Office before bringing them in.

Official Information:

TMU Free Store

#3 Double Take

Double Take is a Toronto thrift store operated by Yonge Street Mission and specifically accepts complete board games and puzzles.

Donation method: Drop-off.

Accepts: Complete board games and puzzles with the pieces required to use them, along with other clean reusable toys and games.

Location:

  • 310 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON M5A 2G7

Important details: Games and puzzles should be complete and usable.

Double Take does not accept games or puzzles that are missing important pieces, badly damaged or unsuitable for continued use.

Donations should be handed directly to staff rather than left outside.

Double Take does not provide donation pickup.

Official Information:

Double Take Donation Guidelines

Double Take Contact Information

#4 Second Journey Thrift

Second Journey Thrift is a Toronto charity shop that accepts reusable games along with other household donations.

Donation method: Drop-off.

Accepts: Games, books, music, art, housewares, collectibles, small appliances and other reusable goods.

Location:

  • 606 Gerrard Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 1Y3

Important details: Games should be clean and suitable for another person to use.

Second Journey Thrift accepts donations during store hours and does not currently offer residential donation pickup.

Because the store has limited space, contact it first if you have a particularly large board game collection.

Official Information:

Second Journey Thrift

#5 The Salvation Army Thrift Store

Salvation Army Donor Welcome Centres provide a broad Toronto drop-off option for reusable games and toys.

Donation method: Drop-off at Donor Welcome Centres.

Accepts: The Salvation Army lists games and toys among its accepted new and gently used donation categories.

Toronto locations include:

  • 665 St. Clair Avenue West
  • 1219 Bloor Street West
  • 1447 Queen Street West
  • 3711 Keele Street
  • 20 Leslie Street, Unit 101
  • 60 Overlea Boulevard
  • 2291 Kipling Avenue
  • 1921 Eglinton Avenue East, Unit 7
  • 1225 Kennedy Road, Unit D1

Important details: Games and puzzles should be clean, reusable and reasonably complete.

If you have several boxes or a large collection, contact the location before transporting everything at once.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store does not offer residential donation pickup.

Official Information:

Salvation Army Accepted Donations

Salvation Army Location Finder

#6 Value Village

Value Village Community Donation Centres provide another Toronto drop-off option for reusable board games, puzzles and toys.

Donation method: Drop-off at participating Community Donation Centres.

Accepts: Games and toys are among the reusable donation categories accepted at participating Toronto locations.

Toronto donation locations include:

  • 18 Edward Street, Units 3 and 5
  • 772 Dovercourt Road, Unit 100
  • 3701 Lawrence Avenue East, Unit 1
  • 1020 Islington Avenue
  • 1030 Wilson Avenue
  • 1525 Victoria Park Avenue
  • 605 Rogers Road
  • 924 Queen Street East
  • 2119 Danforth Avenue
  • 45 Woodbine Downs Boulevard

Important details: Not every Value Village storefront accepts donations. Check that your chosen location is identified as a Community Donation Centre before bringing games or puzzles there.

Value Village is a for-profit thrift retailer. Its donation centres accept reusable goods on behalf of nonprofit partners.

Official Information:

Value Village Toronto Locations

How to Choose Where to Donate Board Games and Puzzles

The main decision comes down to the size of the donation and whether the games are complete enough to be used again.

Pickup or Drop-Off?

If you have several boxes, a large tabletop collection or games combined with books, toys, electronics or other qualifying donations, scheduled pickup may be easier than transporting everything yourself.

For a few board games or puzzles, a Toronto drop-off location may be more practical.

Check the Collection Before Moving It

Before loading boxes into your vehicle or arranging pickup, open the games and look for obvious missing components.

You do not need to count hundreds of cards or puzzle pieces one by one, but you should be reasonably confident that each item can still be used.

What Condition Should Donated Board Games and Puzzles Be In?

Used games do not need to look new, but they should remain practical to play.

Game Boards Should Be Usable

Check boards for:

  • Major tears
  • Missing sections
  • Severe warping
  • Heavy water damage
  • Mould
  • Broken hinges
  • Damage that prevents normal play

Normal folding wear and minor cosmetic marks are usually less important.

Cards Should Be Usable

Check decks and card-based games for:

  • Missing essential cards
  • Cards stuck together
  • Water damage
  • Mould
  • Severe tearing
  • Heavy food residue
  • Writing that makes the cards difficult to use

Keep cards from different games separate.

Playing Pieces Should Be Together

Check for important:

  • Pawns
  • Dice
  • Tokens
  • Tiles
  • Spinners
  • Miniatures
  • Markers
  • Timers
  • Score pieces

A generic die or pawn can sometimes be replaced easily. A unique component required for the game may be much harder to replace.

Puzzles Should Be Complete

A jigsaw puzzle with a missing piece is frustrating for the next person receiving it.

If you know a puzzle is incomplete, keep it separate from complete puzzles.

Make sure the puzzle pieces belong to the picture and box they are packed with.

Electronic Components Should Work

Some board games include:

  • Electronic buzzers
  • Timers
  • Card readers
  • Sound units
  • Electronic game boards

Test powered components before donation.

Check that battery covers are present and remove leaking or corroded batteries.

Boxes Can Show Normal Wear

A worn game box does not automatically make the game unusable.

Normal wear can include:

  • Scuffed corners
  • Faded printing
  • Old price stickers
  • Minor tears
  • Writing

If the box no longer closes securely, repair it or place the complete game inside a stronger outer container.

Keep Instructions With the Game

Original instructions are useful, particularly for complicated strategy and tabletop games.

If the original instructions are missing but official replacement rules are readily available, keeping a printed copy with the game can make it easier for someone else to use.

How to Prepare Board Games and Puzzles for Donation

Open Every Box

Take a quick look inside each game before packing it.

Confirm that the major boards, cards, pieces, dice and other important components appear to be there.

Bag Loose Pieces

Use small sealable bags for:

  • Dice
  • Pawns
  • Tokens
  • Tiles
  • Miniatures
  • Counters
  • Game money
  • Small accessories

Keep each bag inside the correct game box.

Secure Card Decks

Use:

  • Deck boxes
  • Elastic-free paper bands
  • Small sealable bags
  • Card sleeves

to stop cards from scattering through the box.

Avoid tight rubber bands that can bend or damage cards.

Keep Expansions Identified

If a board game has expansions, keep each one clearly identified.

When an expansion has been mixed into the base game, add a note so the next person knows what is included.

Secure Puzzle Pieces

Keep puzzle pieces inside a sealed bag within the puzzle box whenever possible.

This prevents pieces from escaping through worn corners or gaps in the lid.

Protect Instructions

Keep rulebooks, reference sheets and score materials inside the correct box.

Avoid mixing instructions from several unrelated games into one container.

Repair Weak Boxes

Tape weakened corners when needed or place the complete game inside a larger protective bag or box.

Do not tape directly across collectible artwork when a less damaging option is available.

Pack Games Carefully

Board games can be packed flat or upright as long as the boxes remain closed and are not being crushed.

Place heavier games at the bottom and lighter puzzle boxes on top.

Use Manageable Containers

Board game collections become surprisingly heavy.

Use several strong boxes or storage bins instead of one container that is difficult to lift.

Keep Everything Dry

Store games indoors or in another dry, protected location until they are donated.

Cardboard game boxes and puzzle pieces can be badly damaged by even a small amount of moisture.

For complete packing and pickup staging information, review How to Prepare Your Donations.

Toronto Board Game and Puzzle Donation Questions

Do I need to complete a puzzle before donating it to make sure every piece is there?

No, you do not have to assemble every puzzle again before donating it.

If you recently completed it and know it is complete, that is helpful. If you are unsure, say so rather than claiming all the pieces are there.

Missing puzzle pieces are one of the most common frustrations with second-hand puzzles, especially when the next person has no warning.

What should I do if I know a puzzle is missing one or two pieces?

Do not pass it off as complete.

Some people are still happy to use a puzzle with a missing piece if they know beforehand, while others will not want it. Clearly mark the box with the number of pieces you know are missing and check whether the receiving organization accepts incomplete puzzles.

Can I donate adult party games?

Usually, provided the receiving organization accepts games and the contents are suitable for its customers or program.

Adult trivia, strategy and party games are different from children’s games, so do not assume a child-focused organization will want them. A general reuse or thrift destination may be more appropriate.

Can I donate playing cards, UNO cards or other games without a board?

Yes. Card-based games can be donated just like boxed board games when the deck is usable and the important cards are present.

Keep the cards together in their original box, a deck box or a labelled container so they do not become mixed with other games.

Can I donate Dungeons & Dragons books, miniatures or tabletop gaming supplies?

Often, yes.

Role-playing books, dice, miniatures, terrain, gaming mats and related tabletop materials can remain useful even when they are not part of a traditional boxed board game.

Keep related books, figures and accessories grouped together and clearly identified.

What should I do with a board game that has been opened but never played?

It can still be donated.

Check inside before donating it because opened packaging does not guarantee that every component is still present. If the contents are unused and complete, keep everything together in the original box and donate it normally.

Have Board Games and Puzzles Ready to Donate in Toronto?

If pickup works better for you, DonateYourStuff.ca accepts requests for qualifying board games, card games, tabletop games and puzzles throughout Toronto.

Review the board game donation pickup requirements or check all accepted donation items if you have toys, books, video games, household items or other donations to include.

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Toronto Donation Guides

Looking for information about donating a specific type of item in Toronto? Explore our Toronto donation guides for pickup options, local drop-off locations, donation requirements and practical information about where to donate different items.

Book Your Pickup:

Toronto Donation Pickup

General Toronto Donation Guide

Clothing & Accessories

Books & Media

Kids & Family

Electronics & Gaming

Household & Practical Items

Other Items

Donation Pickup Available Throughout Toronto

DonateYourStuff.ca board game and puzzle donation pickup is available throughout Toronto for qualifying donations, including downtown Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York, York and neighbourhoods across the east and west ends of the city.

A–D

Agincourt North, Agincourt South-Malvern West, Alderwood, Annex, Avondale, Banbury-Don Mills, Bathurst Manor, Bay-Cloverhill, Bayview Village, Bayview Woods-Steeles, Bedford Park-Nortown, Beechborough-Greenbrook, Bendale South, Bendale-Glen Andrew, Birchcliffe-Cliffside, Black Creek, Blake-Jones, Briar Hill-Belgravia, Bridle Path-Sunnybrook-York Mills, Broadview North, Brookhaven-Amesbury, Cabbagetown-South St. James Town, Caledonia-Fairbank, Casa Loma, Centennial Scarborough, Church-Wellesley, Clairlea-Birchmount, Clanton Park, Cliffcrest, Corso Italia-Davenport, Danforth, Danforth-East York, Don Valley Village, Dorset Park, Dovercourt Village, Downsview, Downtown Yonge East and Dufferin Grove.

E–H

East End Danforth, East L’Amoreaux, East Willowdale, Edenbridge-Humber Valley, Eglinton East, Elms-Old Rexdale, Englemount-Lawrence, Eringate-Centennial-West Deane, Etobicoke City Centre, Etobicoke West Mall, Fenside-Parkwoods, Flemingdon Park, Forest Hill North, Forest Hill South, Fort York-Liberty Village, Glenfield-Jane Heights, Golfdale-Cedarbrae-Woburn, Greenwood-Coxwell, Guildwood, Harbourfront-CityPlace, Henry Farm, High Park North, High Park-Swansea, Highland Creek, Hillcrest Village, Humber Bay Shores, Humber Heights-Westmount, Humber Summit, Humbermede and Humewood-Cedarvale.

I–L

Ionview, Islington, Junction Area, Junction-Wallace Emerson, Keelesdale-Eglinton West, Kennedy Park, Kensington-Chinatown, Kingsview Village-The Westway, Kingsway South, L’Amoreaux West, Lambton Baby Point, Lansing-Westgate, Lawrence Park North, Lawrence Park South, Leaside-Bennington, Little Portugal and Long Branch.

M–P

Malvern East, Malvern West, Maple Leaf, Markland Wood, Milliken, Mimico-Queensway, Morningside, Morningside Heights, Moss Park, Mount Dennis, Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown, Mount Pleasant East, New Toronto, Newtonbrook East, Newtonbrook West, North Riverdale, North St. James Town, North Toronto, O’Connor-Parkview, Oakdale-Beverley Heights, Oakridge, Oakwood Village, Old East York, Palmerston-Little Italy, Parkwoods-O’Connor Hills, Pelmo Park-Humberlea, Playter Estates-Danforth, Pleasant View and Princess-Rosethorn.

R–T

Regent Park, Rexdale-Kipling, Rockcliffe-Smythe, Roncesvalles, Rosedale-Moore Park, Runnymede-Bloor West Village, Rustic, Scarborough Village, South Eglinton-Davisville, South Parkdale, South Riverdale, St. Lawrence-East Bayfront-The Islands, St. Andrew-Windfields, Steeles, Stonegate-Queensway, Tam O’Shanter-Sullivan, Taylor-Massey, The Beaches, Thistletown-Beaumond Heights, Thorncliffe Park and Trinity-Bellwoods.

U–Y

University, Victoria Village, Wellington Place, West Hill, West Humber-Clairville, West Queen West, West Rouge, Westminster-Branson, Weston, Weston-Pelham Park, Wexford/Maryvale, Willowdale West, Willowridge-Martingrove-Richview, Woburn North, Woodbine Corridor, Woodbine-Lumsden, Wychwood, Yonge-Bay Corridor, Yonge-Doris, Yonge-Eglinton, Yonge-St. Clair, York University Heights and Yorkdale-Glen Park.