For them, a day at the beach to play in the sand was too expensive. Presents and a special Christmas dinner were a "pipe dream".
Instead, they lived in homes where financial tensions often escalated into violence and Christmas was filled with stress and no presents.
This year, Barnardos was using the online fundraising website to make the holiday better for thousands of children in their care.
Hamilton-based Barnardos social worker Sharon Leggett said, for many, the cost of travel put a Kiwi beach experience out of reach for many families she dealt with.
"Raglan is the closest beach to us and it's 40 minutes away. Once you take into account the cost of petrol there and back, it's just too much of a luxury for some families. So many children have never been able to experience that."
Auckland-based social worker Sharyn Chow said many city children Barnardos worked with stayed home over summer. Many families had no cars and rarely headed out.
"In Auckland, rents are so high that by the time it is paid off, if something goes wrong they're left with the dilemma of paying the bills or feeding the kids."
Sanders said nearly 40 per cent of the families Barnardos supported had issues related to housing and income.
Families had little opportunity to go anywhere and struggled to find free things for children to do.
"The children are bored, people get despondent and the likelihood of violence and abuse increases," Sanders said.
Barnardos would also run a Facebook 12 days of Christmas campaign, telling stories of families the charity had helped throughout the year.
The charity was also appealing for gifts to be dropped off at various locations around the country. givealittle.co.nz/cause/barnardoschristmas
Camp prepares kids for life
Kiwi kids battling a debilitating inflammatory condition will soon have something extra special to smile about.
The Crohn's and Colitis NZ Charitable Trust (CCNZ) has been given a $30,000 boost to host the first local camp for children and teens living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Held in January at Auckland's YMCA Camp Adair, it will be attended by 48 young people aged 10-19.
The trust this week received $15,000 in cash and $15,000 in travel from Jetstar's Flying Start Programme.
"Dealing with IBD as a child is incredibly challenging," said CCNZ chairman Brian Poole. "Our vision is to help these children cope with their disease, build self-confidence and prepare them for life. The grant will enable us to bring these children together for a meaningful and transformational experience with no cost to their families."
New Zealand has the world's highest incidence of IBD. An estimated 20,000 people have it.
Grant Kerr, head of Jetstar New Zealand, said it was a welcome step for affected kids and their families.
"We hope to give young patients a meaningful opportunity to meet and talk to others in a similar situation, while enjoying the outdoors and having fun."
- Russell Blackstock
