RePlay for Kids

 

The mission of RePlay for Kids is to increase the availability of toys and assistive devices for children with disabilities. We repair, adapt and distribute toys and assistive devices free of charge. In so doing, we strive to raise awareness and increase the number and variety of toys and devices available to the children who need them.

 

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What We Do

RePlay for Kids is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization of volunteers who repair and adapt toys and assistive devices for children with disabilities in Northeast Ohio. RePlay for Kids provides these services at no cost for non-profit organizations that provide medical, educational, or recreational resources for children with disabilities in the Northeast Ohio area. Most of these organizations have limited resources and often cannot afford to replace devices that have broken, and do not have the technical knowledge or time available to repair the devices. RePlay for Kids can provide these services, therefore increasing the number of functioning toys and assistive devices available for children with disabilities.

Toy Adapting Workshops

In our Toy Adapting Workshops, volunteers are shown how to adapt mainstream, battery-powered toys with external switches so that children with disabilities can use them. These adapted toys are then provided, for free, to agencies that work with kids with disabilities.

Toy Repair Workshops

In our Toy Repair Workshops,  volunteers repair battery-powered toys, switches and devices for free for agencies that work with children with disabilities.

RePlay Ride-On Car Adaptations

In our RePlay Ride-On Car Adapting Workshops, ride-on cars (like Power Wheels) are adapted for children with disabilities so that the foot pedal is replaced with a more accessible option.

Annual Adapted Toy Giveaway

 At our Annual Adapted Toy Giveaway, representatives from different agencies (usually either therapists or teachers) come to select adapted toys that are appropriate for the students they work with. They get to pick from plush toys, remote controlled cars, action figures, and musical or light-up toys that have all been adapted by volunteers, and that are available FOR FREE to these agencies to help children with disabilities.

Over 17,000 Toys Adapted

Since RePlay for Kids was founded in 1999, our volunteers have adapted over 17,000 toys.

Toy Adapting Instructions Database

RePlay for Kids has assembled detailed instructions for adapting a wide variety of battery-operated toys.  If you are interested in adapting a particular toy, check through our database to see if we have instructions for it.

2022 Totals

# Workshops

# Volunteers

# Toys Adapted

“The joy and excitement on the faces of the children has been immeasurable. The toys are also very reinforcing in establishing cause-effect relationships for children with disabilities. Some of the children with special needs have limited opportunities for "play" with toys that they can manipulate. Your donations have made their play time more meaningful and interactive for them.

 – Speech-Language Pathologist Euclid City Schools

"As a speech pathologist working with young children with disabilities, I love the adapted toys that RePlay for Kids provides. I am able to loan toys out to families to try with their children. The variety of toys adapted is a great help as we try to find something motivating to each individual child. Often these early cause and effect toys set the stage for more complex communication using augmentative switches or devices down the road."

 

 – speech pathologist

"I like the hands-on getting something done that will directly benefit a child that needs it. Also, working things out with coworkers that I normally do not work with was fun."

 

– Volunteer

"You lit up his life with the giant teddy bear who sings, and the remote control car. He loves getting his peers involved with his play, and these two very exciting items, certainly brought them over to him. His smile lights up a room, and we thank you for helping make that happen. Your generous gifts will be used and used and used!! Many thanks from the children at the Brooklyn Schools."

 

– Speech-Language Pathologist Brooklyn School District

Upcoming Open Workshops

If you are interested in volunteering for a workshop, sign up for our Workshop Notification email, or RSVP for one of the workhsops below.

Dec 01 2023, 7:00 PM

Toy Adapting Workshop at RePlay Creative Space

Open workshop held at RePlay’s Creative Space – 6190 Cochran Rd, Solon, OH 44139.

Dec 13, 2023, 4:00 PM

Toy Adapting Workshop at RePlay Creative Space

Open workshop held at RePlay’s Creative Space – 6190 Cochran Rd, Solon, OH 44139.

Latest News

Our 2022 Annual Report is available.  Click here to see it!

A Special Thanks to Our Corporate Sponsors

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A Special Thanks to Our Supporting Foundations

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