Simply Shoeboxes: Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for 2-4 Year Old Boy

Operation Christmas Child shoebox for a 2 to 4 year old boy.

It's been a busy week with packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. I thought I'd share what my aunt packed in a box for a 2-4 year old boy. If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on boxes from this year for: Girl 2-4 years, Girl 10-14 years, & Boy 10-14 years...as the middle range 5-9
gets the most boxes, we chose to do the other ages this year.

It took some careful packing but all of the items pictured fit into the pre-printed "Go box" in the picture. Now, if you don't have an Operation Christmas Child GoBox, that's no problem-any shoebox (cardboard or plastic) or something of the same size (normal box, new tool box, etc) can be used. This year we packed in traditional shoeboxes, plastic shoeboxes, as well as a GoBox. Read more about What Type of Shoebox to Use to Pack for Operation Christmas Child.

First I'll share a list of what went into it, then I'll share how it was packed! Now every box is different. Some had cups or cute plastic bowls added, others had puzzles instead of the building tools, etc. We try to make each of our boxes different.

What went into this shoebox gift:

Hygiene Supplies:

Toothbrush
Toothbrush case
Ivory soap (double bagged)
Washcloth
Comb

School Supplies:

Pencils

2-decorative

Enclosed Sharper
Eraser
Pencil case
Plain pad of paper

Art Supplies:

Crayons
Crayon case
Coloring book
Stickers

Practical items:

Mini blanket
Couple bandaids
Drawstring bag

To wear:

Shirt
Shorts
Temp Tattoos
Sunglasses

Toys

To play with others

Ball
3-Hotwheel cars

To play with alone

Rocking dog
Play hammer/nails
Train whistle

To "love"

Avon Beanie Baby type stuffed animal

Candy (bagged & in original wrapping) [UPDATE: As of 2017 candy is no longer allowed]

5 Candy Canes
2 packs of Smarties
4 Suckers
1 Twizzler
1 pack of Starburst

Personal correspondence (not pictured)

Family photo

NOTE: Different countries have different restrictions on what can be packed in a shoebox due to customs, for instance some can't send candy or homemade stuffed animals. Be sure to check the guidelines from your national organization before packing!

And here's how it was packed:

Small items to tuck into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox.

Drawstring bag with small items for packing into an OCC shoebox.

She tucked a number of the smaller items into the two bags...lots of fun little surprises!

Packing a 2 to 4 year old boy Operation Christmas Child shoebox.

Pad of paper went flat on the bottom, crayons, and the temporary tattoos stacked in the front corner, soap & washcloth on the side, and pencil case in the front.