Using items found in local stores or created yourself, fill Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes which represent your favorite movies, genres, themes and more, while having fun with it! Check out these awesome shoebox themes compiled by the MadeCreatively team as part of the our Box Bound segment!
Inspire thoughts of summer with a beach-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox! Sunglasses and a beach hat will keep the sun out of their eyes as they play with the beachball and sand toys. Use the compact size of the inflatable pool mat to your advantage by adding to your shoebox!
One of the best themes for an Operation Christmas Child shoebox is Best Friends! A friendship bracelet-making kit will entertain them for hours. Matching B.F.F. socks and necklaces add to the fun. The wording on this shirt makes it the perfect addition to any shoebox because this Simple Gift will undoubtably travel over land and sea to reach its destination – the waiting arms of a precious child.
What’s on the menu for today? A cooking-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox. The kid’s apron, oven mitt and dishes are both practical and playful! Strawberry-flavored toothpaste and apple-scented soap will bring a smile to any child’s face. Food-themed hairbrush, hair clips, wristwatch and games are great additions too. Remember, NO gummies, NO food items and NO candy!
If you love the great outdoors, then creating this camping-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox is for you! A fishing kit and first aid kit will come in handy as well as the tarp and bundle of rope. With a compass and flashlight, the child will be able to find their way in the dark. Include a small plush toy for them to share adventures with! Remember, NO MEDICINE in the first aid kit.
Joseph was a carpenter and if he could make an Operation Christmas Child shoebox, it might look like this! The tools and safety glasses items for boys of all ages. Soap, washcloths and bandages will keep those woodworking cuts and scrapes nice and clean. Don’t forget a tool belt to hold all of their new tools. Encourage them to learn life-long skills with this practical shoebox!
Let a child’s creativity run wild with a Crayola-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox! We found Crayola toothpaste and even a toothbrush! With paper and a box of supplies, the child can attend school and even carry their lunch with them in a crayon-shaped lunchbox!
Turn the popular tv show, Downton Abbey, into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox! The Dowager Countess would certainly approve of the stuffed bear and gloves included in this box. Ring the bell to announce tea is served in the plastic tea set. References to Tom Branson, Rose, Daisy and even Lord Grantham’s dog can be found in the items.
Are you looking for an “egg-cellent” theme for an Operation Christmas Child shoebox? Try this one! Easter egg maracas, toy-filled eggs, and an Easter egg necklace are fun and easy to make. Egg-shaped crayons make coloring easy for even the smallest child. Don’t forget Silly Putty!
Remind a child to “Fully Rely On God” with a frog-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox! Filled with amphibian items, there are plastic jumping frogs, a wind-up swimming frog, frog-shaped soap and more. Enable them to hop just like frogs do with a jumprope! With one end of the bubble gum tape in their mouth, they too will have a tongue like a frog!
Encourage a child to plant food or flowers with a gardening-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox! Filled with small gardening tools, you’ll also see gloves, shoes, bandana and an orange apron. A flower-printed notepad will allow them to jot down important notes. Keep the sun off of their shoulders with this cute yellow hat. Remember, NO SEEDS are allowed.
Turn the iconic cat, Hello Kitty, into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox! The Hello Kitty dress, hair bows and purse will make her feel like the “cat’s meow”. She can keep clean with Hello Kitty soap, washcloths, toothbrush and toothpaste too. There are so many great items that can be included in this themed box!
Any little girl would certainly enjoy this ladybug-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox! From wind-up toys to maracas and a jump rope, there are so many toys that could be included in this box. The ladybug towel set is just too cute. Remember, mirrors are allowed only if they are enclosed like this brush/mirror compact.
Remind a child to “Let their Light Shine” (Matthew 5:16) with this light-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox! Glow sticks, and glow-in-the-dark stars will light up their room at night. During the day, the kaleidescope and solar-powered prism spinner will create a spectrum of colors. The duck-shaped crank flashlight will never need batteries!
Encourage a child to praise the Lord with this music-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox! There are a variety of instruments, including: maracas, tambourine, harmonica, kazoo, whistle and more. The child can crank the music box to hear a sweet tune while wearing Kerusso’s Pick Jesus necklace!
Turn the classic film, Mary Poppins, into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox! The chalk, plush penguin, carousel necklace, and umbrella represent iconic scenes from the film. Sing “Feed the Birds” while washing with Dove soap or “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” while flying the pocket kite! Remember, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. This box is practically perfect in every way!
A 10-14 year old boy would be thrilled to receive this nautical-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox! The rubber band paddle boat kit will give him a hands-on craft to create. Useful items like rope, spyglass, compass and nautical whistle are great additions too. He will look great in this “Jesus is the anchor of my soul” shirt!
Share the story of Noah’s Ark by creating an Operation Christmas Child shoebox of the same theme. Toy animals and a small boat will entertain a child for hours. With crayons and paper, they can color a rainbow, reminding them that God keeps His promises. Add animal-shaped candy but remember – NO gummies, NO animal crackers and NO candy!
Turn everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox! Designed with a boy in mind, there is a baseball glove and ball, playing cards, beanie hat and more. Olaf loves warm hugs, which is just what this plush snowman will surely get! “Do You Want To Build A Snowman?” The boy who receives this box can with a LEGO Frozen play set!
Turn the classic film, Singing In The Rain, into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox! The umbrella, raincoat and boots are useful items for any age. Rain-scented soap with rain-themed washcloths will keep a kiddo clean from head to toe. Encourage them to praise the Lord with this cute tee while playing with the rainstick!
A sports-themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox would be the ultimate gift for a boy! A baseball, football and tennis ball inspire a game of catch with friends. Water bottle and towel to stay hydrated and clean. Even include small sports ball containers filled with trinkets!
Turn the popular film, Star Wars, into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox! The lightsaber keychain flashlight is a fun way to illuminate the dark. Finger puppets, lightsaber candy and LEGO play set provide endless fun. Remind them that the Lord is always near with this cute tee! The Force is strong with this shoebox!
A “super” idea for an Operation Christmas Child shoebox theme is superheroes! While wearing this cape and mask, any child is sure to feel as if they too have superpowers! Batman soap, Captain America washcloth, Spiderman toothpaste and even a Christian-themed Superman shirt to remind them that Jesus is a superhero too!
Turn the iconic film, The Little Mermaid, into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox! The Ariel dress, heels and crown will make her feel like a true princess. She can hug Flounder while playing Go Fish with friends. Fill this box this whozits and whatzits galore to let her know that she is a special “Part Of Your World”!
Turn the iconic book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, into an Operation Christmas Child shoebox! The classic book, cute outfit, stuffed caterpillar and soft color book will bring a smile to any young child’s face. Include fruit-shaped candies for the child to eat, just like the caterpillar!
This wind-powered Operation Christmas Child shoebox is both fun and unique! We found a pocket kite, small pinwheel, flexible flying disc, and even a super cool Parachute Ball (we want one!). Since bubbles are NOT ALLOWED, we chose bubble gum instead! With the items in this box, the child can see, hear and feel the wind! Remember, NO Military toys and NO bubbles.
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