Hacking for the Holidays
presented by Air Canada Foundation
Making Play Accessible for Families Across Canada
Every Child Deserves to Play
We need your help to make play accessible for kids with disabilities. From September to December 2026, volunteers across Canada will be on a mission to adapt and donate 2,500 accessible toys and switches to families and clinicians across Canada.
Join us in making accessible device and toys available during Hacking for the Holidays, presented by Air Canada Foundation.
Our Goals
Raise $150,000
Deliver 2,500 toys and switches
Activate 1,000+ volunteers
Request
Canadian families and clinicians can request an adapted toy and switch for the holiday season at no cost. Wishbook closes mid November.
Donate
Your donation can help purchase a toy and switch components, giving a child everything they need to play with a new toy this year.
Why Is This Important?
For many kids with disabilities, toys can be hard to use independently, and commercially adapted versions can costs hundreds of dollars. That high cost leaves many families and therapists supporting kids with disabilities without the interactive toys and access methods crucial to childhood development.
However, with a little bit of tinkering, we can switch-adapt toys and make them accessible for a fraction of the cost.
How You Can Get Involved
Over the past four years, you have helped us deliver more than 10,400 adapted toys and switches to children with disabilities across Canada. Help us continue making play accessible:
- Donate: every dollar counts — many battery-operated toys can be adapted with just $5 of parts, while $60 can cover the whole cost of a toy and switch.
- Watch: Watch MMC Live Episode 14 for a first look at the campaign.
- Volunteer: Host a build event with your K-12 class or work colleagues.
Thank You to Our Major Sponsors
The Impact Your Donation Can Make
Hacking for the Holidays Helps Priscilla Design Ornaments With Her Family
West Bedford School Students Learn Hands-On Skills Adapting Toys for Kids With Disabilities
Abbey Park High School Students Build Over 80 Devices for Children With Disabilities
Toy Hacking 101
- 3-part video series on the basics of toy hacking
- A collection of step-by-step instructions for over 100 toys we’ve adapted
- General guide on wiring circuits for toys and commonly used components
Located Outside of Canada?
- Adapt to Play (USA)
- Makers Making Change Ohio Chapter (Ohio, USA)
- RePlay for Kids (Northeast Ohio, USA)
- Santa’s Little Hackers (Global)
- TechOWL (Pennsylvania, USA)
- FairPlay (Global)
- Toys with a Purpose (Kentucky, USA)