Care Kit Ideas

Every Care Kit is an individual bundle of kindness, offering distraction and comfort to children and teens during their hospital stay. Thank you for helping our patients feel seen and supported.

Care Kits can be mailed to:

Cottage Children’s Medical Center
Attn: Child Life Toys
P.O. Box 689
Santa Barbara, CA 93102

Please reach out to Ann Peyrat at apeyrat@sbch.org for any questions or delivery drop-off options.

General Guidelines for Assembling Kits

To ensure safety and inclusivity for all patients:

  1. Only include brand-new items. Gently used donations cannot be accepted.
  2. We care for children from infancy through age 18, so a variety of age-appropriate kits is appreciated.
  3. Please package items in a clear zip-top bag or as specified in the instructions below.
  4. Assemble each kit in a clean, sanitized environment with freshly washed hands.
  5. Please avoid items with religious, political, or violent themes to ensure kits are welcoming for all families.

Infant Comfort KitAn infant playing with a toy

Pack these items in a gift bag to help soothe and engage our tiniest patients:

  • Board book
  • Plush toy or lovey (no small pieces or choking hazards; embroidered eyes and noses are preferable to beaded eyes)
  • Small rattle or teething toy

Play-Doh KitA child playing with a roller and playdoh

Place items in a clear zip-top or cellophane bag for easy distribution:

  • 2–3 individual cans of Play-Doh in assorted colors
  • Small plastic shape cutters or cookie cutters
  • Mini plastic rolling pin

Painting KitA child dipping a brush in paint

Assemble this creative art kit in a clear zip-top or cellophane bag: 

  • Small item to decorate (wooden box, wooden animal shape, or mini canvas)
  • Paintbrush
  • Paint (strip of acrylic paint pots or 2 oz bottles of washable or tempura paint)
  • Supplies for decorating (self-adhesive foam stickers, gems or glitter glue)

Birthday Celebration KitBirthday banner

Help a child feel celebrated with festive decorations, all packed in a clear bag or gift bag:

  • “Happy Birthday” banner
  • Paper party hats
  • Roll of streamers
  • 3–5 colorful paper fan decorations

Stress Relief Fidget KitA child playing with a fidget toy

Assemble items in a clear zip-top or cellophane bag to support sensory play and coping:

  • Fidget spinner
  • Stress ball (slow-rise, water bead, or mesh styles)
  • Pop fidget toy
  • Pop tube

Nail Decorating KitA child putting on nail polish

  • Nail stickers or 2-3 colors of mini size nail polish
  • Nail polish remover pads/wipes (individually packaged)
  • Mini nail file/buffer

*Please do not include any sharp objects like cuticle trimmers and nail clippers