Teaching children the value of charitable giving with toys.

A play-based educational tool to teach children the value of charitable giving.

Abstract: This study examines charitable giving activities in elementary schools and evaluates children’s engagement and understanding of philanthropic actions. Although schools put much effort into organizing fun activities for children to encourage participation, research indicates that fewer than one in five children understand the reasons for charitable giving, and many young humans “have little decision-making in their giving” (Body et al. 200).  

The study poses a question: how can design-centric solutions educate children on the true reasons for charitable giving, improve the process of philanthropic actions in schools, and give children the power to participate in kind deeds willingly?

In exploring the proposed solution for teaching children, this study reveals that toys “are seen as educational tools for children” (Magalhães and Goldstein 4). Research shows that many youngsters have plenty of playthings to play, give, and learn. Sixty-one percent of American parents believe their kids have too many toys at home (Alnassir) and dispose of an average of six toys per year per child (Alnassir). The study also proves that there is a need for this program because over 1.7 million children across Texas “do not receive toys throughout the year” (Toys for Texans). Many children live in poverty across the nation, with the national child poverty rate “ranging from 8.1% to 27.7%” in 2023 (Benson). According to the Second Chance Toys organization, “Just by donating a gently used plastic toy, you can make a world of difference in the life of a disadvantaged child.” Therefore, young humans will practice acts of giving by donating their gently used toys to children in need.

Based on the research, the design-centric solution projects the establishment of a pathway to teach children the value of charitable giving with toys. This study will create an educational tool for American children to learn about charitable giving by sharing their gently used toys with children in need. It will be engaging, interesting, and fun for young minds. The researcher will approach schools, and the schools will partner with charities.

As a result, American children will learn about the process and the reasons for charitable giving. They will be able to experience and feel the giving, make independent decisions, and willingly help others.

Problem: Schools put much effort into organizing fun activities for children to encourage participation in philanthropic actions. However, research indicates that less than 1 in 5 children understand the cause for charitable giving, and many young humans “have little decision-making in their giving” (Body et al. 200). Therefore, they stay disconnected from the process. 

Solution: The Critter Trails, a cooperative kid’s board game, is a play-based educational tool to teach children the value of charitable giving. Playing the game, young humans practice sharing and helping others, experience a “warm feeling” of giving, and learn lessons about charitable actions with real reasons behind them. The game is the first step in developing a fully functioning program, requiring partnerships between schools, charities, toy companies, and other businesses. The game and the program will help children critically engage with philanthropic endeavors and become more aware of charitable giving.

Critter Trails Board Game Contents:

1 Packaging box • 1 Instruction sheet • 1 Game board • 6 Characters • 5 Backpacks • 40 Toys • 27 Trail tiles • 1 Toybox • 28 Moving cards • 18 Trail cards • 7 Monkey cards • 7 Bonus cards • 1 Donation toy box including 1 divider & 10 charity cards.

The critters are excited to run on the trails, gather toys, and generously distribute them to the children without playthings. However, there is a twist! The monkey is watching. He wants to take all of the toys for himself. Work together to pave the way for the critters to complete their task. The critters must place all the toys into the donation toy box before the monkey can snatch them.

Critter Trails Exhibition & Presentation

Purpose of the exhibition:

• Teach children the value of charitable giving more effectively.

• Improve how young humans learn the meaning of philanthropic actions.

• Empower children with an educational tool to understand the essence of giving and experience the “good feelings” of kind deeds.