Can we talk about how quickly kids grow during the first few years of life? I know, everyone warns you that as a new mother, you will blink and your baby will suddenly be a toddler, but it’s truly one of those things you have to experience to really grasp how insanely fast it happens. With that being said, one thing that experienced parents don’t often warn you about is how this affects the lifespan of your children’s clothing. Suddenly as your baby continues to grow, there’s a revolving door of clothes, and the next thing you know, you’re overwhelmed with kid’s clothes in all different sizes! So, I started Googling where to donate children’s clothes to find out how I could give them a second life.

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Fast Fashion vs. Sustainability I will confess: I love buying new clothes for the kids. But more and more lately, I struggle with buying from fast fashion retailers. On one hand, the price point is right and since these clothes will likely be stained (you know how it is!), there really isn’t a need to invest in quality, sustainable pieces while the kids are so young. On the other hand, I’m all too aware of the ethical implications, from their manufacturing practices to their inevitable contribution to landfill.

So, in an effort to have some balance in my life, I’ve made a rule: I will allow myself to purchase fast fashion 50% of the time but will always pass down the clothes (that don’t get completely trashed). The other half of the time, I will buy second hand from some fabulous Instagram accounts (see list below!) that have higher-end, more conscious options.

I’d love to know, what do you do with them? Obviously, tossing them in the garbage is not an option, but sometimes we just don’t have anyone in our inner circle that needs them! As a mother of two, I’ve been there which is why I went down the second-hand research rabbit hole to find pre-owned kids clothing companies where I could both donate to and purchase from. These options were super helpful to me when I was deciding what to do with the clothes my kids had outgrown. Hopefully, they help you as well!

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Download Markid.io  This app has truly been a lifesaver! Markid.io is an online community of parents who are shopping and selling previously used clothing. On top of being able to make some money off the clothes your kids have outgrown, you can also find a wide variety of new products that you might need as well.

Drop them off at your local donation bin Don’t forget about the classic donation spots like GoodWill, Red Cross, and Planet Aid that are always accepting used kids’ clothes and are sure to go to a loving new owner. Head to their websites to find a donation bin near you.

Donate to Baby2Baby  It can be hard to know where to begin when donating your clothes, but I love using Baby2Baby. They make it super easy to donate clothing to children living in poverty. You can learn more about their impact on their website.

Find your local Facebook mom group Another great way I like to exchange used clothes is by finding the local mom group in your neighborhood. My personal favorite for all you LA mamas out there is Moms Helping Moms. Simply post some photos of the clothing you want to exchange or giveaway on the Facebook page and see who bites. It’s also a fun way to connect with new mom friends.

Sell on Facebook Marketplace You honestly can’t go wrong with good ol’ fashioned Facebook Marketplace. From experience, every time I post on the platform I tend to get a response within the day! Don’t be afraid to get out there and sell to the millions of people on Facebook every day. It’s super easy to do, too.

Start an Instagram account  Why use someone else’s platform when you can create your own? While this option is a lot more work, it allows for creativity to create your very own shop—and with no processing fees! If you have other mom friends who are looking to sell some items of their own, why not get them involved too and start a little side hustle together. Here are some of my favorites I regularly purchase from:

@smalls_store @littlebird_and_littlebear @mills_wardrobe @kidshand.handmedowns @sofias_closet @eupena.kids @bkclosetgoods Create a quilt from your favorites Are you the sentimental type that has a hard time getting rid of baby memories? Well, now you can hold onto them forever. A friend recently told me about a company that sews old baby clothes into a quilt as a special keepsake that will serve a purpose for years to come. A quick Google search will show you the range of stores who offer the service but this Etsy store looks great.

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These, of course, are just a few of my favorite ways to get rid of old baby clothes but let’s be real—there are so many things you can do. From mom groups in your area to the vast amount of online buy/sell platforms, there are plenty of options for you to choose from that can either make you money, make you feel good, or make you some friends—or, all of the above!