Babies need a lot of stuff. From cribs to car seats, parents must purchase the appropriate items for their child's age, which can result in a lot of unused gear that needs a new home. This post will help you find the right place for the baby items you no longer need, plus a few tips I've picked up along the way before you start bagging things up. Updated for 2026.
Where can I donate baby items in 2026?
Gently used baby clothing, bedding, and toys can go to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Cradles to Crayons. New/unopened items like formula, diapers, and car seats with original packaging are best donated to baby-specific nonprofits like Helping Mamas or Mother's Home. Never donate used car seats older than a few years or used crib mattresses - these should be recycled or disposed of instead.
Key Takeaways
- Donating baby items keeps them out of landfills - just make sure they're in good, safe (affiliate) condition first.
- Clear the nursery clutter regularly and donate within a reasonable window (ideally before items are 5 years old) so they're still useful and up to date on safety standards.
- Clothing, bedding, and gently used toys are easy wins for Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Cradles to Crayons.
- Skip donating unsafe items like used car seats and crib mattresses - recycle or dispose of these instead.
- New for 2026: several retailers and organizations now run dedicated recycling programs for car seats and baby gear that used to just end up in the trash - more on that below.
- Share your own donation tips in the comments. I love hearing what's worked for other parents.
The Items should be in good condition.
When you donate, everything should be clean, functional, and safe (affiliate). Finding these items a new home is the whole point - keeping them out of the landfill and into the hands of a family who needs them.
Clear the clutter often.
Clearing out your baby's room every few months helps everyone sleep better (yes, even you). Visit our baby room organizing ideas for more tips. A quick trick: keep a donation bin in the closet year-round so outgrown items go straight there instead of piling up in a corner.
Don't make the bags too heavy.
Split donations into smaller, manageable bags. It's easier on the person receiving them and prevents torn bags and broken items in transit.
Donate the items quickly.
Aim to donate items within about five years. Baby gear styles change, and - more importantly - safety guidelines get updated often, so newer items are easier to place and safer to reuse.
Now let's get into it, organized by category from bedding to clothing.
Jump to:
- Where can I donate baby items in 2026?
- Key Takeaways
- How to get rid of Baby Bedding
- How to get rid of Baby Clothing
- How to get rid of Cloth Diapers and Accessories
- How to get rid of unused disposable diaper packages and wipes
- Donating New Car Seats, Cribs, Gear
- Donating Breast Pumps and Gear
- Donating Baby Toys
- Donating High Chairs
- Donating Rockers, Swings, Bouncy Seats
- Donating Baby Bathtubs
- Donating Maternity Clothes
- 2026 Update: New Tips & Hacks for Donating Baby Items
- Baby things: Should not donate
- FAQs
How to get rid of Baby Bedding
Baby bedding can be donated if it's clean, in good shape, and has no holes.
I picked up my daughter's favorite baby blanket at a nearby second-hand store - it was already so soft from being washed a few times.
Places that accept baby bedding:
- Mother's Home is in Darby, PA, in Delaware County. They accept a variety of baby items.
- Goodwill Nationwide will also accept these baby bedding items.
- Salvation Army - Nationwide - will also accept these items.
How to get rid of Baby Clothing
Consignment is a good option if you want to make a little money back - expect roughly 10% of what you originally paid, so treat anything more as a bonus.
- Our Closet In Your Neighborhood (JFCS Philly) - another solid Philadelphia-area option worth adding to your list.
- Goodwill Nationwide is another option for donating your baby's clothing.
- Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia is another charity that will accept baby clothing.
How to get rid of Cloth Diapers and Accessories
If you don't want to donate cloth diapers, repurpose them; since most are 100% cotton, they make great cleaning rags or painting cloths.
If you do want to donate, wash and sterilize them first, then contact a local mom shelter to see if they can use them.
How to get rid of unused disposable diaper packages and wipes
You may have some disposable diapers left over after your child grows out of them.
Unopened diapers and wipes are always in demand.
- Laurel House in Pennsylvania - accepts diapers and baby essentials through their programs.
- Helping Mamas in Georgia and East Tennessee - accepts new packages of diapers and wipes.
Donating New Car Seats, Cribs, Gear
If a car seat is still in its original box and unused, most baby-support organizations will gladly take it.
- Laurel's Loft in Pennsylvania - check with them on current gear needs.
- Mother's Home now specifies car seats must be under 5 years old to accept - good to note if you're donating a used-but-newer seat.
Donating Breast Pumps and Gear
There are a variety of supplies that can be donated for breastfeeding and baby gear (affiliate). Boppy pillows, breast pumps, and other baby bottles (without nipples) can be donated if they are clean and gently used.
- Helping Mamas (Georgia) - accepts these items; double-check their current list, as some categories (like bottles) may require new/unused only.
Donating Baby Toys
Below are places that you can donate gently used or in-package baby toys.
- Goodwill Nationwide - Clean toys before donating.
- Local consignment shops are also an excellent place to sell your baby's toys.
- Check our other donate-stuff posts for more toy and stuffed animal donation spots.
- Regifting to family or friends with younger kids works too - just ask first.
Visit our other donate stuff posts that talk about donating toys. We also have a collection of locations to donate stuffed animals.
Always ask before you give your baby toys to loved ones or friends. They may not want or need them.
Donating High Chairs
Some consignment shops and thrift stores accept high chairs; clean and disinfect thoroughly first. A yard sale is another good option. If it's broken, dismantle it and recycle what you can; the fabric will need to be trashed.
Donating Rockers, Swings, Bouncy Seats
Check for rust before donating. If it's in good working order, offer it to family or friends first, or try a consignment shop; have the brand name and purchase date ready when you reach out.
These baby gear items are tricky. Be sure that when you stop using them, there is no rust. If it looks like they are in working order, you can donate them to family or friends with little ones.
When you reach out to these places, give them the brand name and when you bought it. If it is a high-quality rocker or swing, they may take it.
- Consignment shops or thrift stores will accept these items if they are in newer condition.
- Try Freecycle.org to post items.
- Look for local community centers to see if they need these items.
- Look for pop-up swaps or seasonal family exchange events.
- Check out local buy-nothing or parenting exchange groups on social media platforms.
Donating Baby Bathtubs
If these bathtubs are in good shape, you can donate them at a yard sale, consignment shop, or thrift shop. If clean and crack-free, these do well.
Donating Maternity Clothes
When you are done having kids, you will probably have amassed a collection of maternity clothing. Donating them to a worthy cause is an excellent way to give your items a second life.
- The Open Door Ministry accepts clothing donations, plus other things.
- Goodwill Nationwide also accepts maternity clothing you may have.
2026 Update: New Tips & Hacks for Donating Baby Items
Here's what I'd add to this post based on how things have shifted:
1. Use retailer take-back events for anything unsafe to donate. Target now runs its car seat trade-in event twice a year (spring and fall). You can drop off any old, expired, or damaged car seat at Guest Services, scan the QR code, and get a 20% off coupon toward a new car seat, stroller, or select baby gear. This isn't a donation program (the seats get recycled into things like carpet padding and storage bins), but it's the easiest way to responsibly get rid of a car seat you can't safely pass on.
2. Check expiration dates before you even try to donate. Most car seats expire 7-10 years from the manufacture date. Check the sticker on the bottom or back of the seat. If it's expired, skip donation entirely and use a trade-in or recycling program instead.
3. Look for local "baby banks" and diaper banks first. Organizations like Helping Mamas exist specifically to get essentials: diapers, wipes, formula, and car seats to families quickly. These groups often have more urgent, ongoing need than general thrift stores, so they're a great first call for anything still usable.
4. Photograph gear before you drop it off. If you're donating anything with resale or consignment value (strollers, high chairs, bouncers), snap a quick photo first. It's an easy way to track what you've given away and can double as documentation for a tax-deductible donation receipt.
5. Bundle by category, label (affiliate) clearly. It helps volunteers sort faster, and your items get placed faster. Label (affiliate) bags by size and category ("boy 0-3 months," "bedding," "bath"). This is an easy add to your existing "don't make bags too heavy" tip.
6. Ask before assuming an item can't be donated. Some organizations now accept items previously considered "no-donate," like crib mattresses or breast pump parts, depending on condition and local guidelines. A quick call or email saves you from tossing something that could've helped a family.
Baby things: Should not donate
Some items just aren't safe (affiliate) to pass along. Here's how to responsibly get rid of them instead.
A good rule for these items is to examine each one to see if it can be dismantled and its parts recycled. Below, I am sharing some ideas for disposing of these items in an earth-friendly way.
Used car seats
Baby car seats should never be donated, especially if they are older than a few years. Safety standards change, and your car seats may not be considered safe.
- Check with a local baby-support charity to see if they accept newer seats.
- Take it apart and recycle what you can; trash the rest.
- Use a Target car seat trade-in event (spring or fall) for an easy, responsible recycling option; plus a discount toward new gear.
Used Crib Mattresses
Baby Center states that using a crib mattress is linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but they don't know why. Read more from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
If you still want to try to donate it, you can check short-term shelters. Some shelters may accept crib mattresses.
There are some options for repurposing a used crib mattress.
- A dog bed (add padding and a washable cover)
- A DIY kids' trampoline base
- A cozy bench with a simple frame
- Some recyclers will take the steel components
Used bathing suits, socks, undergarments, or sports uniforms
These are personal items that can carry germs - best to dispose of rather than donate.
Open or expired bottle of formula/baby food
Open or expired containers should be discarded, not donated - empty the contents into the trash and recycle the container if possible. Some local food pantries will accept unopened, unexpired baby food, so it's worth asking. You can also offer it directly to someone you know, being upfront about the condition and type.
If you want other things to donate, please check out our Charitable Locations to Donate Stuff page.
| Organization | Location | What They Accept | Requirements/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mother's Home | Darby, PA | Bedding, clothing, car seats, cribs | Car seats must be under 5 years old |
| Goodwill | Nationwide | Clothing, toys, bedding, gear | Clean, gently used condition |
| Salvation Army | Nationwide | Clothing, bedding, gear | Clean, gently used condition |
| Cradles to Crayons | Philadelphia area | Clothing, shoes (affiliate) | Well-established local drop points |
| Our Closet In Your Neighborhood (JFCS) | Philadelphia area | Clothing | Pop-up shop locations |
| Laurel House / Laurel's Loft | Montgomery County, PA | Diapers, gear, essentials | Thrift shop supports domestic violence survivors |
| Helping Mamas | Georgia & East Tennessee | New diapers, wipes, formula, car seats, breast pumps | Some items (wipes, bottles) require new/unopened only |
| The Open Door Ministry | — | Maternity clothing | — |
| Target (car seat trade-in) | Nationwide | Expired/damaged/used car seats | Recycling only (not resale); twice a year, 20% off coupon |
FAQs
Cradles to Crayons and Goodwill are both reliable options for gently used baby clothing. If you want to support a smaller, local organization, look for a nonprofit baby bank or shelter in your area - they often need clothing just as much as national chains.
It's best not to. Car seat safety standards change frequently, and most organizations won't accept seats more than a few years old or ones that have expired. Instead, offer it to family if it's newer, or use a retailer recycling event like Target's car seat trade-in.
Used crib mattresses, expired or opened formula/baby food, personal items like used undergarments or swimsuits, and car seats past their expiration date shouldn't be donated. These should be recycled, repurposed, or disposed of instead.
As a general rule, aim to donate items within five years so they're still current on safety standards and style. For anything safety-related, like car seats and cribs, check the manufacturer's expiration date rather than relying on age alone.
It depends on the organization. Many baby banks, like Helping Mamas, only accept new, unopened packages of diapers and wipes due to hygiene and safety standards - always check their current donation guidelines first.
I hope this post helps you find the right place to donate baby items or at least gives you ideas on where to look. It will help new parents with a new baby have an excellent start to their new life.
Now it is your turn: if you recently donated baby items, please share your tips in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
Need to donate other things? Check out these posts.
Janet Schiesl says
Great info about everything related to kids, donations and consignment. The do's and don't. Every person who have kids will go through this and will end up with a lot of clothes, toys, baby gear and more. Kids consignment events have become very popular in the recent years, selling on marketplace and giving away like Buy Nothing groups makes it so easy to get rid of open food containers, clothes diapers and mattresses...
Thanks for all the info.
Julie Bestry says
You hit on an important factor — donating quickly. Children's consignment can vary, but many treat children's clothing like adult stuff and won't accept items that aren't "recent," even though many styles of T-shirts, pants, and onesies never go out of fashion. Too often, parents hold onto clothes, toys, and accessories not because they might have another tiny human but because they have some vague notion of dealing with it all "someday." And we know how that goes.
Also, I'm really glad that you made the points regarding what can't be donated and especially about cleaning/sanitizing items before donating. I'm always aghast when I see that someone intends to donate something that's dusty, crusty, or rusty.
Excellent tips!
Seana Turner says
Wow, so many resources here. Thanks for sharing, Sabrina!
I think one of the best things you said here was to donate quickly. I held onto some items that either deteriorated or are no longer "usable" because standards have changed. I wish I had donated them as soon as I knew I was finished having children because they could have helped someone, at least for a little while.
I find that baby items are always in demand in our local donation locations. Great to clean them so they are "ready to go!" The last thing a new mother needs is someone else's dirty item.
Linda Samuels says
Thank you for all these resources and ideas for what you can and can't donate.
Our daughters are two years apart, so I often kept clothes to pass on to our younger daughter or their first cousins. Many were donated or consigned, too. It's great you shared the resource for donating stuffed animals because many places won't take them. It's easier for parents and kids to let go when they know their toy is going to someone who can enjoy it.
Diane N Quintana says
You are spot on when you advise clearing out the baby's room every few months. Babies out grow things so quickly. Not only clothes but also toys and accessories are sometimes so gently used they look brand new. These are the ones (and things) to donate.
I also loved that you included a list of things NOT to donate. This is equally important information.
Sabrina Quairoli says
Thanks, Diane for stopping by and commenting! While researching, I learned a lot about what is available since my kids were babies.