We help bring joy to kids who care for a family member

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National Carers Week

National Carers Week 11 – 17 Ocrober 2026

Read about the impact and invaluable contribution of 3 million unpaid carers in Australia, including more than 300,000 young carers

National Carers Week 2026 – CaringKids

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Lions in Support of CaringKids Charity 2023 - 2029

At the 2023 National 201 Multiple District Lions Convention at the Gold Coast QLD the Category B: ‘Lions in Support of CaringKids Charity’ project was adopted from 2023 to 2026. Following a successful 3-year project, the project was adopted for a second Category B term, 2026 to 2029 at the 2026 National Lions 201 Multiple District Convention held in Adelaide SA. Lions Clubs across Australia will be bringing more joy to young carers by supporting this project. Lions Clubs across cities and towns are donating funds to create Joy Boxes and raise awareness of young carers.

Lions International President’s AwardThe Lions International President’s Award recognises members who go above and beyond in their service – those who lead by example, strengthen their clubs and communities, and actively support the broader goals of Lions Clubs International.

UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell

“Play is a sign that children feel safe and nurtured and loved. They feel somewhat that they can be children even in the midst of great difficulty.”

International Day of Play 11th of June 2026

International Day of Play is a time to celebrate the power of play.

We know young carers put caring ahead of play time.

Help us to reconnect young carers to the joy of childhood.

Santa's Little Helper Morning Tea 2026

Santa’s Little Helpers Morning Tea @ our Sydney Venue

🎄Join us for our 2nd CaringKids ‘Santa’s Little Helpers Morning Tea’  in 2026☕✨

🫖Friday 27 November 2026
🕙 10am–12pm

🧁 Will & Mike’s Café, 14A Baker St, Banksmeadow, NSW 2019

🍮 Enjoy a festive spread of sweet and savoury treats with coffee or tea and you help us to spread a lot of Christmas cheer!

We asked you to bring a toy for kids aged 4–12 to place under the tree 🎄 🎁and you did … thank you for your generosity during this wonderful event. 👆🏽💝 🎄 ✨

Tickets on sale now!

Support Our Cause

CaringKids helps children burdened with adult responsibilities. These young carers take on tasks such as housework, shopping, cooking, dealing with health professionals and even taking on financial matters.

In order to look after a family member, young carers put caring before study, school and play time. They often have to cope with the financial hardship that goes hand in hand with the cost of caring for a family member living with a disability.

There are over 235,000 children and teenagers in Australia caring for a disabled or chronically ill family member. On average they spend 6 hours a week on caring duties.

Because of their caring commitments, 22% of young carers miss a day of school per week. As a result they are around 1.5 years behind in NAPLAN.

Give to connect Joy Boxes to  young carers. Donations $2 and over are tax-deductible.

CaringKids Joy Boxes

We help to bring joy to children caring for a family member living with a disability by delivering Joy Boxes to young carers. Our Joy Boxes are packed with toys, games and books that not only bring joy, but also allow children to learn and grow.

Just a few dollars can help put a smile on a child’s face.

If you would like young carers to experience the fun and carefree moments that we associate with childhood,  a tax-deductible donation of $75 will deliver a Toy Box to a child caring for a family member.

Our Toy Boxes are delivered to the doorstep of young carers across Australia.

October 6 at 10:00am
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Santa’s Little Helpers Morning Tea – SYDNEY is coming… Join us for our 2nd Christmas Morning Tea in support of kids caring for family members ☕✨
🫖Friday 27 November 2026
🕙…
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Santa’s Little Helpers Morning Tea – SYDNEY is coming… Join us for our 2nd Christmas Morning Tea in support of kids caring for family members ☕✨
🫖Friday 27 November 2026
🕙 10am–12pm
🧁 Will & Mike’s Café, 14A Baker St, Banksmeadow, NSW 2019
🍮 Enjoy a festive spread of sweet and savoury treats with coffee or tea and you help us to spread a lot of Christmas cheer!
🎅 SANTA CLAUS IS COMING… yes that’s right! He’s scheduled it into his busy calendar! He said he wouldn’t miss it! Kids 0-5 free, kids 6+ $15 gifts, craft for kids, treats and sweets for the adults! 🎄 ✨
🎫 Tickets on sale NOW ! https://events.humanitix.com/santa-s-little-helpers-morning-tea-2026
October 4 at 11:28pm
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Did you know? Some children help care for someone in their family while balancing school, friendships and growing up.

A young carer might help with everyday tasks at home, offer… See more

Did you know? Some children help care for someone in their family while balancing school, friendships and growing up.

A young carer might help with everyday tasks at home, offer emotional support or look after a family member. Every young carer’s experience is different, and these responsibilities can be easy to miss.

Let’s help more people understand what being a young carer can look like. Share this post with someone who might find it helpful.

#joybox #caringkids #youngcarers #xmastoyappeal

October 4 at 6:14pm
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The Lions Club of Wollondilly are hosting a raffle this Friday, in support of CaringKids! We will be attending the Wollondilly and Wingecarribee Carer & Community Connect Fair,… See more
The Lions Club of Wollondilly are hosting a raffle this Friday, in support of CaringKids! We will be attending the Wollondilly and Wingecarribee Carer & Community Connect Fair, hosting a CaringKids booth with toy giveaways! We look forward to seeing you all the Friday! #lionsaustralia Lions Australia #lionscaringkids #joybox #wollondilly #wingecarribee
October 4 at 5:03pm
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👨 🧑🏽💁🏻‍♀️🧓🧕🏽👩🏻‍🏭👩🏼‍💼👨🏾Are you the parent of a teenager and are living with a disability, mental illness or terminal illness? Or are you the parent of a child… See more
👨 🧑🏽💁🏻‍♀️🧓🧕🏽👩🏻‍🏭👩🏼‍💼👨🏾Are you the parent of a teenager and are living with a disability, mental illness or terminal illness? Or are you the parent of a child living with a disability or chronic illness?

🥳 Have you hoped to find a social and rewarding activity for your teen that recognises and supports their role caring for you or their sibling?

📣 CaringKids is inviting teenage young carers aged 13 to 18 to its free JOY MAKER Workshop on Saturday October 24, 1230-330pm Banksmeadow (close
to Maroubra).

🎁 Teen young carers will create Joy Boxes packed with toys, games, school stationery and sports equipment for junior young carers, whilst also taking part in creative activities. Teens will receive a gift for themselves and a delicious lunch.

🙌 Special guest Nickolas Yu, an experienced leader in the field of young carer support, will lead a Heartfelt session 🧵 🪡 We can’t tell you how much fun this – we can’t wait – you have to give it a try!

These workshops are created especially for teenage young carers tailored to suit their age.

We have had 100 teens be part of the CaringKids toy workshop JOY MAKER sessions volunteering with us over the years, and they have all found it to be fun, rewarding and uplifting.

This is an opportunity for us to host young carers at the CaringKids Toy Workshop – a special place just for young carers!!

🫶We know teenagers put caring ahead of school, homework and friends. Meeting other teens who share caring responsibilities whilst also having fun, with no pressure to talk, just take a break, see how we run the toy workshop and be part of CaringKids for the afternoon.

If you also have a younger children with caring responsibilities in your family, we have two sessions running at CaringKids’ Toy Workshop in Banksmeadow, Sydney: ages 8–12 on Saturday 17 October, and ages 13–18 on Saturday 24 October, both 12:30pm–3:30pm with lunch included.

Free to attend – spots limited.
📌 Register now: https://caringkids.org.au/joy-maker-workshops

More information: info@caringkids.org.au

September 25 at 6:58pm
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🧱 We were running out of LEGO and Lions Club of Toongabbie Seven Hills came to the rescue again. Thank you Lion PDGJennifer Touzel and friends!

🤩 Lions CaringKids Coordinator… See more

🧱 We were running out of LEGO and Lions Club of Toongabbie Seven Hills came to the rescue again. Thank you Lion PDGJennifer Touzel and friends!

🤩 Lions CaringKids Coordinator Elvio Munzone OAM delivered boxes of LEGO today, just in time for a Joy Maker Workshop 🧸

#good360 #lionsaustralia #lionssydneyn5 #youngcarer #caringkids

Elvio Munzone Lions Australia Lions Sydney N5 Coogee Lions Club

September 23 at 6:54pm
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🤩 CaringKids invites young carers to “Come and Be a Joy Maker” this October – METRO SYDNEY LOCATION

CaringKids is inviting young carers aged 8 to 18 to its free Joy Maker… See more

🤩 CaringKids invites young carers to “Come and Be a Joy Maker” this October – METRO SYDNEY LOCATION

CaringKids is inviting young carers aged 8 to 18 to its free Joy Maker Workshops this October, where participants will create “Joy Boxes” packed with toys, games, school stationery and sports equipment for junior young carers.

Two sessions run at CaringKids’ Toy Workshop in Banksmeadow, Sydney: ages 8–12 on Saturday 17 October, and ages 13–18 on Saturday 24 October, both 12:30pm–3:30pm with lunch included. Participants will meet other young carers, pack and decorate Joy Boxes, and take part in creative activities led by trained facilitators.

These workshops are created especially for young carers aged 8-18 years. Registration is open to children and teenagers who are caring for family members living with an intellectual or physical disability, mental illness and terminal illness.

“Young carers give so much of themselves, often without recognition. The Joy Maker Workshops are a chance for them to just be kids or teenagers for an afternoon, and to know that the box they’ve made will make another young carer feel seen,” said Margaret Skagias, Founder of CaringKids.

Free to attend – spots limited. Workshop flyers are in this post swipe to see 8-12 years and 13-18 years.

Register: https://caringkids.org.au/joy-maker-workshops

More information: info@caringkids.org.au ✨ 💖

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FAQs: Joy Box donations and referrals

View our FAQs regarding Joy Box donations, referrals and delivery.

Contact Us

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CaringKids

Caring Kids Incorporated
ABN 82 206 098 661

If you have questions about our Joy Boxes or would like more information about CaringKids, fill in the Contact Us form and we will get in touch with you soon. We welcome Joy Box feedback from children and families, share your feedback here.

Phone/Email Us

Phone: (02) 9247 7990
Email: info@caringkids.org.au

Opening Hours

Hours: By appointment

Our office is closed during school holidays.

Sydney Workshop

CaringKids Toy Workshop
Unit 4/ 45-47 Green Street
Banksmeadow NSW 2019

By Appointment Only

Tamworth Workshop

CaringKids Toy Workshop
Tamworth Hub
12 In Street
West Tamworth NSW 2340

By Appointment Only

Postal Address

CaringKids
PO Box 91
Edgecliff NSW 2027