If you have children, you have children’s clothing! And chances are, the clothing is busting out of closets, drawers, and tubs. With the fast rate at which children grow, it is no surprise they wear something half a dozen times and it no longer fits. The frustrating part is, it is hard to feel like you are getting your money’s worth out of your children’s clothing when they don’t get much wear out of it. But the good news is, there are ways you can cash in on your old children’s clothing items! The next time you put a shirt on your child only to realize it no longer fits over their head, don’t cry. Instead, take a look at the ten tips below for how to cash in on your old children’s clothing.
These tips and tricks don’t require a great deal of time, nor will they cost you anything financially. Before you know it, you can be making cash off of that clothing you thought wasn’t worth anything anymore. Let’s take a look at how easy it is!
10 Ways To Cash In on Your Old Children’s Clothing
1. Visit your local consignment shop.
Sure you may already know this, but what you really need to know is what consignment shops are looking for. Each and every piece you take should be clean and fresh and free from stains or damage. Buttons and zippers should all work, and if you have name brand items that is a plus. Consignment shops may buy outright, or they may consign your items and keep a percentage. Be sure you know the details of the arrangement. Follow these tips and you are sure to get more cash for your clothing.
2. Sell them on eBay.
You would be amazed at what name brand children’s clothing sells for on eBay. The key is to offer name brand, clean, and gently used items. Be sure you take as many pictures as possible and include all of the information on the neck tag such as size, fabric make, and care tips. You can also include the original price you paid so buyers know what a good deal it is. You can always group items if you wish, for example list a lot of girl’s play clothing in size 4T all in one auction. Be sure to give lots of detail so your buyers will be more likely to bid.
3. Host a clothing swap.
Chances are, your friends are in the same boat you are. Invite them over to have a clothing swap right in your own living room. Each person can set out their spread of clothing, then each guest takes turns picking new-to-them items. It is a fun way to get rid of the old and bring home some new-to-you.
4. Donate them to a great cause.
Take your children’s clothing items to your local non-for profit thrift store and receive a tax write off form. Stores such as Goodwill offer a $3-$5 write off on each clothing item, which is quite generous. Make note of what you are donating and come tax season, you will have a nice little write off!
5. Sell them to crafters.
If you know anyone who sews, they may enjoy using your children’s clothing for the fabric or for upcycled pieces. While you won’t get top dollar for your pieces, it may be a great way to get rid of cute patterned clothing that has a stain or two. An ad on Craigslist or in online crafting forums is a great way to get in touch with the right people.
6. Cash in on Craigslist.
There is a huge market for children’s clothing on Craigslist. Do as you would for eBay where you take clear pictures and write up a detailed description. Be sure to include a catchy title that will attract buyers. When arranging to sell your items, be sure to meet your buyer in a public place such as a coffee shop and only accept cash. This way you make money and stay safe!
7. Sell on Thredup
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Visit Thredup and see how easy it is to sell your children’s clothing items. It is like an online consignment shop where your buyers are from all over the country. Thredup makes it safe and easy for you to sell your items with just a simple picture and description.
8. Find Mom to Mom Facebook forums.
There are tons of Facebook forums for moms that offer all sorts of parenting tips and tricks. These forums can also be a great place to sell your children’s clothing items. Ask your friends if they have any favorite forums they can recommend, or do a simple Google search to see if you can find one. If it is local to your area, that is even better!
9. Sell at school consignment sales.
If your child wears a uniform, ask if the school offers a yearly sale to get rid of the pieces your child no longer fits into. My daughter’s school lets you rent a table for $10 and spend a Saturday selling to other parents. If they don’t have a sale like this, suggest it!
10. Garage sale!
Of course this seems obvious, but put a spin on the traditional garage sale. Advertise this as a children’s sale. Prep and organize your items as a store would. You can invite friends to join in if you need more inventory, and even ask for a nominal fee to rent space at the sale. Include balloons, create a changing room from sheets, and offer discounts for big purchases. Advertise it as a children’s consignment sale and include lots of information about the brands you will be featuring.
As you can see, it can be quite simple to make cash off of your old children’s clothing. Gymboree, Baby Gap, Carter’s, Old Navy, and many other brands are still desirable even if they have had a previous life. When that life with you is over, cash in on them and free up some money to buy new! Follow these ten tips and see how easy it truly is!
Katie Femia is a wife and mother of three. She loves vintage finds, handmade goodness, the frugal life, and the long road to publication. You can find her at The Savvy Luna Bugg, the blog for frugalistas seeking simplicity through a handmade and vintage lifestyle.
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