6 Places Where You Can Get Free Type 1 Diabetes Stuff for Kids
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission. Please read my earnings disclaimer.
Our families, especially our kids go through so much once they are newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Here are a couple of free things that some companies/agencies give to newly diagnosed families of children with type 1 diabetes, so they have some hope in the midst of all the chaos.
If you want to get some affordable gifts for your type 1 diabetic child, then visit my post here.
Bag of Hope by JDRF
The Bag of Hope is filled with educational materials for parents/caregivers that teach them how to understand diabetes, activity books with stickers for the kids and there is a special bear included whose name is Rufus.
Below is the Rufus the bear with diabetes
This is what my daughter did to that poor bear. Notice the different color patches it has. There is a purpose for those patches. This is where your child will be pricked for glucose checks and poked when he/she is on MDI or even on insulin pump usage.
Rufus comes with a T-shirt that says JDRF, but my daughter lost it #momlife and #toddlerlife.
T1D Everyday Magic
T1D Everyday Magic is a website where Disney and Lilly Diabetes came together to provide educational content to parents and kids who have been newly diagnosed or already kids who live with diabetes.
This website has TONS of free printables, activity worksheets to download, and interactive books
- Get some stickers and printables here.
- Printable award stickers for dia-versary.
- T1D Books Online where they all talk about Coco the Monkey who has Type 1 Diabetes
American Diabetes Association
If your child is newly diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, then you can get for you and your family the Courage–Wisdom–Hope Kit.
This kit is informational documents for the parents and caregivers. It can be downloaded or be sent to you via snail mail.
They have a Bonus offer, where you receive a one-year subscription (free) to the Diabetes Forecast. The Diabetes Forcast features recipes, tips, and news to help you and your family live well with diabetes.
(Disclaimer: Find out if these are still being sent. I was informed that as of 2018 newly diagnosed kiddos were not going to be receiving them, however, on their page, this is not written.)
Coco the Monkey from Lilly Diabetes
This was my daughter’s favorite when I ordered it for her!
Coco is a little monkey who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. If you child is under 9 years old, Lilly Diabetes will send your child a plush Coco!
Look how cute she is!
The Coco kit includes: Coco, a banana, a soccer ball, a glucose meter to measure blood sugar, a log book, and an insulin pen. Also, the box can be colored! It comes with an interactive guide for parents/caregivers.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, Lilly Diabetes is no longer providing the doll, which is sad, because my daughter loved her!!! However, you can get some free printables/dowloads on their website.
I Heart Guts
I LOVE I Heart Guts! They have so many cute plushes, pancreas plushes, pancreas pins, insulin plushes and pins. The also have other organs, but since this is a diabetic blog, I only mention diabetes stuff.
Check out their website for free downloads of printables. They add new downloads every once in a while, and there is no need to add your email to download anything. Which is kinda refreshing, if you ask me.
Diabetes ID Necklace
When your child is away from you, and he/she has a severe low or high, where treatment is needed, a necklace or some type of ID is very important to notify the person that will be assisting your child.
The Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation gives out a free ID necklace. You just need to complete a form online and send a self-addressed $0.70 stamped envelop to the address on their page.
Final Thoughts
So, if you are low on cash, but want to get something for your newly diagnosed child, these are great options to start off your journey with Type 1 Diabetes.
If you want to get something different, low budget, then visit my post where I list affordable diabetic gifts for your little warrior.
Thank you so much for creating a wonder website with free resources. Having a child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is stressful enough alone but the high prices for supplies makes it that much more stressful so to find a website such as your brings a lift to parents hearts, and I know it definitely lifted me.
My now 22 month old son was diagnosed Jan 1st 2021 at 16 months old. He will throughly enjoy some of the gifts I was able to request on your site.
Thank you with al my heart, from one mother to another. Wishing you and yours the best
Hi Buffie, I am so glad to hear that the post was helpful for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Can the bear be purchased?
Hi Marijo. The bear was sent to us by JRDF free of charge.
Rufus the bear with diabetes came in the mail yesterday! I’m so excited to help my daughter take care of him! Thank you so much!
Hi Amellia! I’m so excited to hear about your new arrival of Rufus the bear! What a great way to help your daughter learn more about living with diabetes. xoxo
Please update this as the courage wisdom hope kit only allows people who have been diagnosed til 2018. My son was just diagnosed with t1d June 02, 2022 after going into a diabetic ketoacidosis and being rushed to ers then flown to wolfsons children’s hospital where we spent a couple days in icu
Hi Maureen, thank you for letting me know about the ADA Courage Wisdom Hope Kit. I will investigate more about this, but I will write a disclaimer on the post. Hope you and your child are slowly on the mend. So sorry that your family is going through this. xoxo
Thank you for all of this great information!!! My son is 17 with type 1 and just looking for some neat things for him to brighten up his bad days with having to deal with type 1
Little Tiny Tony’s project is great as well! I can’t seem to find how to order a coco box anymore?
Im not seeing where they are giving coco away anymore?
Hi Donna, it appears that they are no longer giving Coco away. I will update my post. Thank you for letting me know.
Is Coco no longer available? I went to the link but didn’t see it anywhere. My son was just diagnosed and I think he would love it. Thanks.
Hey Allison. It appears that Coco is no longer available. I need to update this on the post. I just haven’t had the time to research a back up for a free gift, for kiddos who have just been diagnosed with diabetes. My heart goes out to you and your family.