Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for 10-14 Year Old Boy- 2018

This is one of the boxes my Dad packed for a 10-14 year old boy.  The box is actually an envelope box-the bag and puzzle fit better that way, but it didn't take up more room than a shoebox-we figured the square area.

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on OCC shoeboxes from 2018 for: Girl 2-4, Boy 2-4, Girl 5-9, Boy 5-9, Girl 10-14, & Boy 10-14 (will be updated with links as I post those boxes, until I do, here's a link to all the shoebox examples posts). 

We like to try to add something practical in this age that might help them help provide for their family or start on a career, as in these countries they often need to around this age.  Something like a fishing kit, small tool kits, hand gardening tools (but not seeds), etc. In addition to more advanced school supplies like compasses and protractors to help them stay in school as these are often required for higher grades.  Of course, if you follow this blog, you know all our boxes get at least basic hygiene and school/art supplies, a clothing item, a ball, a stuffed animal, and a couple other toys.

What went into the OCC shoebox gift:

• Hygiene Supplies:
• Toothbrush 
• Soap
• Soap case 
• Washcloth
• Comb  
• School Supplies:
• Pens
• 1-Red
• 1-Blue
• 3-Black 
• Pencils
• 4-regular
• 4-decorative 
• 1-mechanical with extra leads
• Sharpener 
• Erasers
• Block
• Pencil caps
• Spiral notebook 
• Compass
• Protractor
• Decorative Rulder
• Pencil Bag 
• Art/craft supplies Supplies:
• Colored pencils 
• Plain paper pad 
• Practical items: 
• Tool type bag
• Zip-ties
• Work gloves
• Sewing kit
• Scissors
• Fishing kit
• Clothes:
• Socks
• Tank Top
• Toys 
• To play noisily or others
• Ball
• Whistle
• Mini harmonica 
• Marbles 
• To play with quietly alone
• BB game
• Turtle Figure
• Prism viewer
• 3D Mantis Wooden Puzzle
• To "love"
• Stuffed lobster
• Personal correspondence (not pictured)
• Family photo  

Here's more posts with ideas on shoeboxes 10-14 year old boys.

John Deere Farm Themed Shoebox for 10-14 Year Old Boy

When packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, I often like to pack around a theme-in this case a John Deere/farm.  We got a John Deere hat for free, then I stumbled on a John Deere themed coloring book.  So I went from there!

When we make a themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox, we don't leave out anything on my basic packing list-I still put in hygiene, school, and art supplies, clothing, whistle, etc as well as toys (including a ball and stuffed animal) with a family photo.  We just try to find versions of what we are putting in that goes with the theme and occasionally an extra item or two.  

Thankfully we had some farm fabric out of which to sew a pencil case.  A "deer" stuffed animal and a green and yellow tractor really helped to pull the theme together.  I also found lots of green and yellow versions of items I wanted to add to the box.

Often people find it helpful to see how the box is packed to fit everything in, so here's some photos of how these items fit in the shoebox.

For more ideas/fun boxes, check out other shoeboxes we packed for boys 10-14 years or our themed boxes!

Ohio Sports Themed Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for Boys Ages 10-14 Years Old

Last year my Dad packed 3 Ohio sports themed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.  When we make a themed Operation Christmas Child shoebox, we don't leave out anything on our basic packing list-we still put in hygiene, school, and art supplies, clothing, whistle, etc as well as toys (including a ball and stuffed animal) with a family photo.  We just try to find versions of what we are putting in that goes with the theme and occasionally an extra item or two.  We're from Ohio, as is someone who donates crafted items for shoeboxes, so this was a natural theme.   We ended up packing three in 2017: Browns, Indians, and Buckeyes.  All were packed by my Dad for 10-14 year old boys.  

The Browns one was probably the most on-theme as we were able to find and make actual Browns licensed items.  It all started with the "Sunday Funday" water bottles and grew from there.  Thanks to shopping our stash and help from our crafting friend, it turned out pretty well!

The Buckeyes box also got one of the football water bottles, plus lots of "scarlet" and gray! 

The Indians box was mainly red and blue with a little baseball thrown in.  We did find Indians' flashlights from H&J closeouts which helped the theme.

For more ideas/fun boxes, check out other shoeboxes we packed for boys 10-14 years or our themed boxes!

Dinosaur Themed Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for a Boy Ages 10-14 Years Old

One thing I enjoy doing when packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child is to pack it around a theme.  I still stick to my normal list of things to include (hygiene, school and art supplies, toys/games, something to wear, etc.), but try to find versions of those items that fit the theme.  I may add an extra unique item or two, but on the whole it's the same list, just different types.  Last year I packed this shoebox with a dinosaur theme. 

I was excited when I saw this dino truck in our Hotwheels packing stash!

Often people find it helpful to see how the box is packed to fit everything in, so here's some photos of how these items fit in the shoebox.  This shoebox was 425 cubic inches (for comparison a GO box is 306 in3 and a standard plastic shoebox holds 346.5 in3, but takes up more room in the cartons from it's ridges and stuff-maybe over 500 in3) and held a ladies size 10.5 sandals, so a normal sized shoebox, but was able to get a lot in it through careful packing.

For more ideas/fun boxes, check out other shoeboxes we packed for 10-14 year old boys or our themed boxes!

"Tool Belt" Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for a Boy 10-14 Years Old

One thing we've started including in shoeboxes for 10-14 year old boys through Operation Christmas Child is tools.  Normally just like a bundle of para-cord, a pair of pliers, or screwdrivers with a few mixed screws and bolts.   But I had this belt donated -it was actually a waiter's apron, but I thought it would work great as a tool belt, and I decided I wanted to add in a few more tools.  For instance some nice work/safety sunglasses I found, graph paper and squares, tweezers for splinters, etc.

I thought I would be fun to pack the belt/apron in the box with tools, etc. in it, but when I did it it nearly filled it up.

I didn't want to leave out anything on our basic packing list-still put in hygiene, school, and art supplies, clothing, whistle, etc as well as toys (including a ball and stuffed animal) with a family photo. 

So, I decided to "unpack" the belt, and it fit MUCH better!  I was able to get all of the above items in, as well!  I tried to protect the sunglasses. 

For more ideas/fun boxes, check out other shoeboxes we packed for 10-14 Boys!

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox for 10-14 Year Old Boy- 2017

My dad is in charge of packing most of the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes we pack for 10-14 year old boys.

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on OCC shoeboxes from this year for: Girl 2-4, Boy 2-4, Girl 5-9, Boy 5-9, & Girl 10-14. 

NOTE: Different countries have different restrictions on what can be packed in an Operation Christmas Child shoebox due to customs-no candy or toothpaste in the USA going forward.  Be sure to check the guidelines from your national organization before packing!

We like to try to add something practical in this age that might help them help provide for their family or start on a career, as in these countries they often need to around this age.  Something like a fishing kit, small tool kits, hand gardening tools (but not seeds), etc. In addition to more advanced school supplies like compasses and protractors to help them stay in school as these are often required for higher grades.  Of course, if you follow this blog, you know all our boxes get at least basic hygiene and school/art supplies, a clothing item, a ball, a stuffed animal, and a couple other toys.

What went into the OCC shoebox gift (Items with ** are on the list of "Wow" items):

• Hygiene Supplies:
• Toothbrush
• Toothbrush case
• Soap
• Soap case 
• Golf towel 
• Comb  
• School Supplies:
• Pens
• 2-Red
• 2-Blue
• 2-Black
• 1-Gel 
• Pencils
• 6-regular
• 2-decorative 
• 1-mechanical with extra leds
• Highlighter
• Sharpener 
• Eraser
• Spiral notebook 
• Math kit
• Desk plate with maps, etc.
• Pencil Bag 
• Art/craft supplies Supplies:
• Colored pencils 
• Plain paper pad 
• Practical items: 
• Tote bag
• Safety pins
• Flashlights
• Tool kit
• Screwdriver with different heads
• Screws/bolts/washers
• Mini zip-ties
• Tape measure with level
• Bag
• Clothes:
• Hat
• Shirt
• Gloves
• Socks 
• Toys 
• To play noisily or others
• Ball
• Plastic Recorder Flute **
• Whistle
• Marbles 
• Chess & Checkers game
• To play with quietly alone
• Punch Balloon
• Ballons
• 3D dinosaur puzzle
• To "love"
• Stuffed Puffin**  
• Personal correspondence (not pictured)
• Family photo  

I know one of the harder things for me in packing a shoebox is getting everything I want to send to fit, and sometimes it helps to see how it fits, so here's some photos of how it all fit (for more ideas on making things fit, check out my making it fit series:

Here are more examples of shoeboxes for 10-14 year old boys if you're looking for more ideas!

Removing Packaging to Fit In a Go Box through Operation Christmas Child

One of the things I struggle with when packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child is being able to send everything I would like to in the box.  In the past I've sometimes packed larger boxes, but the more I've learned the more I realized the importance of using normal sized boxes, the more I worked on learning more ways to get things to fit.  One of the biggest things I've learned is to remove packaging.  This also helps reduce trash int he receiving countries (which often don't have good infrastructure), and opening tricky containers

If you left all the items above in their packaging, they'd fill the giant silver boot box...which is a bit too big!  I'm not even sure the big box would fit in the shipping carton.

Here's what went in from the different categories:

Example of What to Pack in an OCC Shoebox for 10-14 Boy - 2016

Here's an Operation Christmas Child shoebox my dad packed for a 10-14 boy this year.    This shoebox was 394 inches cubed, for comparison, a GO box is 306 inches cubed, so it's pretty close in size.   Here's one of the 10-14 boy shoeboxes he packed in 2015.  

If you'd like ideas for other ages be sure to check out my posts on boxes from this year for: Girl 2-4 ,   Boy 2-4, Girl 5-9, Boy 5-9, & Girl 10-14.

NOTE:  Different countries have different restrictions on what can be packed in a shoebox due to customs, and 2016 is the last year for candy in the USA.  Be sure to check the guidelines from your national organization before packing!

What went into the shoebox gift:

• Hygiene Supplies:

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packed for 10-14 Year Old Boy

It's been a busy week with packing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.  I thought I'd share what my dad would pack in a GoBox for a 10-14 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, Boy 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 he was able to get all of the items pictured 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). This year we packed in traditional shoeboxes, plastic shoeboxes, as well as a GoBox. Check out more about pros and cons of different boxes in this post:  What Type of Shoebox 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!  Remember this is just an example, other boxes substituted Legos for the game, or added a flashlight, or other variations.  We try to make no two boxes exactly alike!

What went into this shoebox gift:

• Hygiene Supplies: