If you’re a mom that loves thrifting, you’ve probably run into the question at least once: How do you go thrifting with kids – and actually enjoy it?! Meltdowns, requests for what seems like everything in sight, quick decisions, and ending up with items you don’t need (or have a place for)… All of these are pretty common when taking your kids thrifting (or maybe when taking them shopping anywhere).
With three kids ages four and under, I’ve had to take less and less trips to the thrift store over the last few years. But we’ve also found some ways to make thrifting together (without any other adults along) fun and enjoyable! We don’t do go every week or anything, but when we do, we have fun together and usually end up with some great things. Sure, it’s a little more tiring than waltzing through the store solo, but it’s totally worth it! And as a mom who’s committed to clothing my kids without breaking the bank – it’s necessary!
Thrifting With Kids: 8 Tips to Take Your Kids Thrifting With You (And Actually Enjoy It!)
1. Time It Right
The best way to make thrift shopping with kids successful is to time it right! Young children thrive on routine, and yanking them out of their daily rhythm for a trip to the local thrift store isn’t a great way to set them up for a successful shopping experience. When planning your shopping trip, make sure to steer clear of nap times, meal times, and any other important daily activities.
I like to take my kids shopping in the morning when everyone is fresh and we have plenty of time. This gives us room to get back for lunch and afternoon naps. You know your kids best! If you just have a baby who loves to sleep in a carrier, maybe nap time is the best time for you to walk around the your favorite second-hand shop!
Make note of clearance days, and consider steering clear of these, too, if you’re bringing your kids along. No matter how many great deals there are, navigating overly crowded aisles and painfully long lines with energetic kiddos is usually not worth it (at least in my experience)!
2. Choose the Right Store(s)
Be realistic! Shopping with kids is FUN, but it’s probably not the time to hit up the china room of your favorite antique shop. The local Goodwill, Volunteers of America, or even fun flea markets can be great places to take kiddos and enjoy shopping together.
Side note: If you’re searching for a very specific of particular item, it’s sometimes best to just check Facebook Marketplace first!
3. Have a Plan
When you’re shopping with kids, you don’t always have a lot of time to think! Having a plan ahead of time is not only a great way to make shopping with kids successful, but also to avoid overspending or making regretful decisions on any shopping trip!
Whether you’re looking for kids’ clothes, picture books, larger items like furniture, or unique pieces for a bedroom, make a list of the specific items (or categories of items) you want find. Just because something’s a good deal doesn’t mean it has to go in your cart.
Check out my top Tips for Thrifting for Kids to find out more about our favorite kids’ items to buy used!
It’s also a good idea to think ahead about the amount of money you want to spend. This can save a lot of deliberating with antsy kids in the cart! Plus, sharing with your kids the importance of sticking to a budget is just one more valuable lesson that thrifting offers. (I always like to challenge myself to put one item back before checking out. It’s a great way to make your brain prioritize which thrift store finds are true wins and which you can live without!)
When thinking though your thrifting plan, it’s also helpful to prioritize what you really want to find. Whether you desperately need more summer kids’ clothing for your upcoming camping trip, a new crock pot, shoes for the toddler, or a pair of jeans, start with the most important item(s) first – just in case you need to head out early!
4. Prep Them Ahead of Time
Whatever your plan is, let your kids in on it! Whether you’re going thrift store shopping or unexpectedly stopping at a garage sale, take a minute to let your kids know what you intend to look for/buy, approximately how long you’ll be, and what you expect of them. Not only does it make the trip so much smoother, but it’s a great way to help kids learn important skills, too!
I like to talk to my kids on the way there about the list, who needs what, and what I think we might be able to find. Whether browsing consignment stores, the local Salvation Army, or your neighbor’s yard sale, kids will also have much more fun when they get to be part of the treasure hunt!
5. Set Limitations
And speaking of prepping ahead of time… don’t be afraid to set fair and realistic limitations. Whether at thrift shops or at the grocery store, setting limitations is what makes shopping with kids work – at least for us!
At the thrift store, our rule is generally to stay in the cart. Often, after we’ve looked around together (chatting along the way, letting them in on decisions, and often handing them a new book or other items to hold), I’ll let them get out and spend a few minutes in the toy aisle before we leave. I’ve found that at young ages, even if another adult is around, allowing too much freedom from the beginning (for example, “You can walk, just stay near the cart!”) tends to get out of hand really quickly – especially with multiple children to keep track of!
You know your kids and the situation, so set limitations that are realistic and helpful for you! For us, quick garage sale stops are a much less intense scenario to let them walk around and practice not touching everything.
6. Don’t Push It
Whether you plan to spend 1 hour or 3 hours out shopping, have a plan for how much time you want to spend and where you want to go, and don’t push it. 🙂 Especially with very little kids or hungry, tired, melting down kids! It can be so temping to hit up one last store with your last 15 minutes, but let’s face it – most stops don’t take 15 minutes! You know what you and your kids can handle. If you only have a few minutes left, it’s probably not time to hit up one more store. End on a good note and save it for next time!
7. Bring Snacks
Shopping trips are tiring for everyone! Think ahead about what your kids will need, and make it a positive experience! It will be so much easier next time if they have fun searching with you and end the trip with a filling snack.
We like to save snacks for the van – and don’t forget to bring some wipes or hand sanitizer, too.
8. Let Them Pick Something
Although our kids don’t get to pick out their own item at most of the places we go, thrifting is different! Whether it’s a shirt or a book (you choose!), letting them know that no matter what else you find, they get to pick one special thrift store item to bring home. (Most thrift stores sell books for very affordable prices – around $0.20-$1.00 – so this does not have to be a big investment.) You may be surprised by their unique finds!
On our last thrift trip, our oldest daughter picked out two puzzles for $1 each that have kept her busy for days!
Tell them ahead of time what they get to pick. It’s much more fun for everyone when each person ends up with their own special treasure to bring home!
Have Fun Thrifting With Your Kids!
When you let your kids in on the treasure hunt, set realistic expectations, and choose the right time and places to shop, taking your kids thrifting with you just becomes more and more fun! Whether you’re shopping for kid’s clothes, books, or kitchen items, taking your kids along lets them in on the joy of thrifting from a young age.
As they get a little bit older and have some extra money, it can also be a great place to teach wise spending habits, help them find deals for a fraction of the price, make sustainable choices, and find fun, one of a kind items!
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