Adapted Toy Drive

Switch-activated toys make play accessible for children with disabilities.

It’s Time for TechOWL’s Annual Adapted Toy Drive!

Parents and caregivers are invited to visit TechOWL and pick out a free switch-adapted toy to take home for a child. 2026 dates to be announced.

  • These battery-operated toys for kids are modified to be more easily activated by a larger, accessible switch instead of a small button.
  • Choose one of two different adapted toys (each with two 3D-printed switches) — an animated plush dragon or an owl.
Two adults at a workshop smile and hold up the switches they are working with
A plush owl toy wears a purple wizard style cap and cape and sits holding a book

Community Space 2026 Schedule

  • Monday 10 am – 2 pm
  • Tuesday 1 pm – 5 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am – 2 pm
  • Thursday 1 pm – 5 pm

Hours are subject to change.

If these dates or times don’t work for you, please email us to make an appointment.

TechOWL Community Space location, directions, and more information

2025 Holiday Events

Thanks to all who attended and supported these events!

Switch Adapted Open House: Tools and Tech for Children

Come see examples of tools and technology for children with fine motor limitations. Learn about adaptive gaming equipment, adaptive dining tools, and more!

Parents and caregivers will be invited to pick out a free switch-adapted toy to take home for a child.

Can’t make it to the open house? Drop in to see us any day during walk-in hours starting December 1.

Switch Access Webinar

  • Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 12 pm to 12:45 pm
  • Virtual presentation

Chat with TechOWL about expanding your switch-users’ skill sets and where to find – or how to make your own – adapted toys and appliances.

This presentation will be recorded and available for later viewing.

About the Adapted Toy Drive

Every winter, TechOWL works with Temple University students and community partners to provide switch-adapted toys for children with disabilities.

This program is provided for free, at no cost to the family. Recipients each get a battery-operated toy with a 3D-printed switch to activate it.

Interested in hosting a similar initiative in your neighborhood? We’d love to support you! Here are some tips for How to Do a Switch Adapted Toy Drive.

Resources

DIY Instructions

Interested in adapting your own toys? Here are some of the ways that we do it:

You can also find videos of toy adaptations on YouTube!

Donate Supplies

Help us continue this important work by donating much needed supplies through our Amazon Wishlist!

Visit the Wishlist

How-To Video: Use Your Battery Interrupter and Switch and Set Up the Penguin Race Toy

Thank you!

We want to say thank you to all of our donors, volunteers, and organizations who connected us with children to receive toys.