Looking for an easy side hustle that’s low-cost and still profitable? Start flipping kids’ items from garage sales. Parents are always decluttering. They sell gently used baby and kids’ gear for cheap just to get rid of it. You can turn that into real profit.
Some people earn hundreds each weekend by reselling toys, clothes, equipment and furniture they grab for next to nothing. And the best part — kids stuff sells fast if you price it right and post good photos online.
You don’t need a massive investment. You need $50 to $100, a smartphone, and a clear plan. Here’s how to do it.
Why Kids’ Items Sell So Well
Parents are some of the hungriest buyers out there. They’re always looking for deals. Children outgrow things fast — from clothing and shoes to cribs and bikes. Brand-new items are expensive. So families turn to marketplaces like Facebook, Craigslist, OfferUp and Mercari to save cash.
This makes used items in good condition a hot commodity.
You can tap into this cycle. Buy low. Sell smart. Target parents who need affordable gear now.
Where to Find the Best Deals
To profit, you need inventory. Cheap, clean, gently used inventory. These are your best sourcing spots:
- Garage sales: Still the best place to score bargains. Most sellers just want stuff gone by the afternoon.
- Neighborhood yard sales: Hit multiple homes in one stop. These events are treasure troves.
- Facebook Marketplace: Watch for “curb alert” or “free” listings, sometimes marked as “must go today.”
- Goodwill or local thrift shops: Try stores on the edge of town instead of trendy areas for lower pricing.
- Church or school rummage sales: Usually priced to move. Less haggling needed.
What to Look for at Garage Sales
Anything for babies or kids sells fast if it’s clean and priced right. These items almost always flip quickly:
- Strollers: Look for popular brands like UPPAbaby, Baby Jogger, Graco and Chicco. Jogging strollers and travel systems sell well.
- Pack ‘n’ Plays, bassinets and portable cribs: These make top dollar if they’re clean, functional and include original pieces.
- Baby swings and bouncers: Look for working battery-powered ones in like-new shape.
- High chairs: Wooden ones or foldable plastic high chairs do well.
- Clothes (newborn to 5T): Bundles sell better than single pieces. Look for clean, no-stain name-brand clothing.
- Diaper bags: Especially stylish, modern, or backpack-style ones.
- Baby carriers: Wraps, slings and structured carriers like ErgoBaby and BabyBjörn resell quickly.
- Play gyms and play mats: Look for minimal wear and wipe-clean surfaces.
- Toddler and kids’ beds: Especially ones shaped like cars, castles or Disney characters.
- Bikes, scooters and ride-ons: Parents love these for growing kids. Razor scooters, Strider bikes and battery-operated Jeeps perform well.
- Educational toys: LeapPad, LeapFrog, Melissa & Doug, puzzles and building sets.
- Books: Group books into sets based on age range or theme (e.g., Dr. Seuss, board books, phonics sets).
Bring cash, but don’t be afraid to haggle. Most garage sale sellers are open to deals, especially after midday.
What to Avoid Buying
Not everything is worth flipping. Skip the items that are difficult to clean, overpriced, or impossible to move quickly. These include:
- Old, recalled or expired gear: Car seats with expired dates or missing manuals can’t be safely sold.
- Stuffed animals: They’re hard to sanitize and aren’t strong sellers.
- Used bottles or teething toys: Most parents prefer these new, for safety reasons.
- Worn or stained clothing: Unless it’s high-end designer, skip it.
- Damaged or incomplete furniture: Missing screws or chipped legs will lose buyers’ interest.
Stick to items that are cleanable, functional and easy to photograph.
How to Clean Items to Resell
No one wants dirty gear. You don’t need fancy tools. Just basic cleaning and presentation.
- Wipe down plastic surfaces: Use wet wipes, vinegar spray, or mild soap.
- Vacuum and spot-clean fabric: Try a handheld vacuum and a mix of warm water and dish soap.
- Wash clothes in fragrance-free detergent: Fold neatly or hang them for photos if selling bundles.
- Remove decals or stickers: Nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol works without damaging.
Clean photos can double the price you can ask. Don’t post anything with smudges, stains or mystery crumbs.
Best Places to List Your Items
Where you list kids’ items affects how fast they sell and your profit margin.
- Facebook Marketplace: Fastest for local sales. Ideal for bulky items like beds, bikes and toy sets.
- Local Buy/Sell/Trade Groups: These groups keep things targeted. Join the biggest community parenting groups in your area.
- Mercari: Easy to ship small items like clothes, books or toys. The platform’s prepaid label makes packaging simple.
- eBay: Better for high-end, name-brand baby gear. Check sold listings to price right.
- OfferUp: Great for quick local sales on bulky gear. Works well on mobile.
If an item doesn’t sell within a week, try re-listing with updated photos, a better title, or drop the price slightly.
What to Include in Your Listings
Photos and descriptions matter. Your listing should make parents feel confident about buying used.
- Use natural light: Shoot near a window or outside on a clear day.
- Show multiple angles: Front, back, brand tag, and any flaws.
- Include branding info: List exact product name or model if possible.
- Mention all dimensions: Especially for furniture, bikes, or beds.
- Be honest: Note tiny stains or scratches so buyers know what to expect.
Bad lighting or blurry photos turn off busy parents scrolling for bargains. Think about what you’d want to see as a buyer.
How to Price for Fast Sales
Pricing is part art, part math. Too high, and your item sits forever. Too low, and you lose profit. Aim to price most items between 40% to 60% of retail when in great condition.
Here’s a rough guide:
- Brand-name clothing: $2 to $5 per piece, or $10–$20 for a bundle.
- Used strollers: $30 to $100 depending on brand and condition.
- Pack ‘n’ Plays: $25 to $60 if clean with full parts.
- Books: $0.50 to $2 each, or $5 to $15 per bundle.
- Plastic ride-ons: $10 to $45, more if battery-powered and working.
Check what similar items sell for in your area before pricing. Search on Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp to stay competitive.
How Much Can You Earn?
Turn a few Saturday garage sale trips into $100–$300 weekly. Some full-time sellers make $1,000+ a month just flipping baby gear.
Here’s an example flip:
- Bought: Fisher-Price Baby Swing for $10
- Cleaned and listed: Took 15 minutes
- Sold: $55 on Facebook Marketplace within 48 hours
- Profit: $45 after fees and supplies
Repeat those flips 5–6 times per week and you’ll build a steady stream of side income. You only need a few quality items per trip to make it worthwhile.
Final Tips to Maximize Profit
- Be early at sales: The best stuff goes before 10 a.m.
- Build a cleaning routine: After each pick-up, clean items right away so they’re ready to sell.
- Keep packing supplies handy: Especially if shipping items via Mercari or eBay.
- Bundle for upsells: Offer matching toys or outfits as add-ons.
- Track your flips: Use a simple app or notebook to record cost, profit and time invested.
This side hustle won’t make you rich overnight. But it’s flexible, profitable, and almost anyone can do it. If you’re consistent, clean items well and focus on what parents actually want, you’ll build a repeatable source of side cash—one toy or onesie at a time.
