What to do with outgrown kids' clothes

Set up a two-bin system

The pile of outgrown clothes grows because there's no obvious place to put something the moment it stops fitting. Fix that first:

• Bin 1, “Too small,” lives in each child's closet. Anything that's tight or short goes straight in, no decision needed.
• Bin 2, “Next up,” holds the next size for a younger sibling (only if you actually have one coming up).

When Bin 1 is full, sort it. That's your one decision point, maybe once per season.

Sort by size and season, then by condition

Dump the bin and make stacks by size (2T, 3T, 4T…) and season. Then check each piece:

A tip from parents who do this a lot: it's easier to decide when clothes are washed and folded. Sort right after laundry day.

Option 1: Pass them on to family or friends

If a cousin or friend has a child one size behind, this is the simplest option. Ask first, and only send what they want. A bag of unwanted clothes just moves the clutter to their house.

Option 2: Give them away by size, online

Toddler and baby sizes are what parents search for most, and they search by exact size: “free 3T boys clothes,” “18–24 month girls clothes.” Listing your bundle with the size in the title is what gets it claimed.

On Gift N Thrift, you list at $0 and choose whether the family can pick it up (free for them) or have it shipped (they pay postage plus a $2 packing buffer and a $2.99 fee). Families anywhere in the US can find your 4T snow pants, not just the ones in your neighborhood. See what's in demand: toddler 2T, 3T, 4T, baby 18–24 months.

• Bundle 5–10 pieces of one size and season. A single onesie rarely gets claimed; a “6 summer outfits” bundle does.
• Put gender, size and season in the title: “Boys 3T summer bundle, 8 pieces.”
• Photograph the bundle laid out, plus the size tags.
• Weigh the packed bundle. Most toddler bundles are 1–2 lb, which keeps postage low.

Option 3: Local community closets and schools

Many towns have kids' clothing closets run by churches, schools or nonprofits. School nurses often want spare pants, underwear (new) and coats for accidents and recess. Call first: they usually need specific sizes and seasons, and many can't store off-season items.

Option 4: Sell or consign the best pieces

Name-brand outerwear, boots and special-occasion outfits can be worth consigning. For everyday basics, the money rarely justifies the time. Be honest about which bucket you're in.

Option 5: Recycle what nobody can wear

Torn and stained clothing shouldn't be donated as clothing. Look for a textile recycling drop-off (some retailers and municipalities run them). Cut cotton pieces into cleaning rags first if you can use them.

What not to pass on

• Recalled items. Some children's sleepwear and hoodies with drawstrings have been recalled; check cpsc.gov/Recalls.
• Used socks and underwear.
• Car seats, which aren't clothes but often end up in the same pile. Don't give them away online.

Make it a habit

Kids hit growth spurts around the same times: late summer before school and early spring. Put a reminder in your calendar for both. Fifteen minutes of sorting twice a year beats a closet you can't open. If your church or school wants to turn this into a small fundraiser, see the organization program.

Frequently asked questions