Selling Outgrown Toys and Games Before the Holidays

Many homes have a closet full of toys, board games and puzzles that the grandchildren have outgrown. Meanwhile, plenty of parents and grandparents are looking for good gifts at a gentle price as the holidays come closer. Early November, before Thanksgiving and the busy shopping weekend after it, is a sensible time to sell.

A few toy and game sales could help toward a December bill, such as part of an electric or phone bill. That’s an estimate, not a promise; it depends on what you have and what buyers near you are looking for.

What tends to be worth listing

Look for things that are clean, complete and in good working order:

Board games and jigsaw puzzles with every piece (count them, or note that you haven’t)
Building sets, wooden toys and train sets
Dolls, stuffed animals and dollhouse furniture in good condition
Children’s books in sets, or classic picture books
Ride-on toys, sleds and bicycles that work well

Bundles sell well. A box of five puzzles or a bag of building pieces is often easier to sell than one small item on its own.

First, check for recalls

This is the most important step. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says it’s illegal to sell any recalled product, and that its rules apply to everyone who sells, including people at yard sales and individual online sellers. It also notes that not knowing the law isn’t an excuse.

How to look up a recall

Find the brand and model name on the toy, its box or a label.
Go to SaferProducts.gov in your web browser.
Type the product name or brand into the search box and press Enter.
Read any matching results. If your item was recalled and hasn’t been repaired under the recall, don’t sell it.

For car seats and infant carriers, CPSC’s guide points to the car seat recall search at NHTSA.gov.

Items to leave out

CPSC’s guide for resellers lists children’s items that shouldn’t be sold even if they haven’t been recalled. A few that often turn up in family closets:

Cribs made before June 28, 2011, including any drop-side crib
Children’s jackets and sweatshirts with drawstrings at the hood or neck (sizes 2T to 12)
Toys with small parts meant for children under three, or toys with loose or missing magnets
Toy chests with lids that slam shut or don’t stay open on their own
Baby walkers without protection against stair falls
Children’s metal jewelry, which has strict lead limits

The guide also says broken, wobbly or incomplete products shouldn’t be sold. When in doubt, recycle it or throw it away.

Getting toys ready to sell

Wipe plastic toys with warm, soapy water and let them dry fully.
Put fresh batteries in electronic toys so buyers can see them work, and test every button.
Tape game boxes closed, or place small pieces in sealed zipper bags.
Note the recommended age printed on the box in your listing.

Where to sell

Facebook Marketplace and local groups

Bigger items like play kitchens, ride-on toys and dollhouses are usually easiest to sell locally, so buyers can pick them up. Mention in the title that the item is a good holiday gift and that you’ve checked it for recalls.

eBay

Smaller and collectible items, such as vintage board games, train sets or older dolls, may reach more buyers online. Check what similar items have sold for before you set a price, and remember shipping costs.

A toy or kids’ consignment sale

If your area has a seasonal children’s consignment sale, you usually tag your items, drop them off and receive a share of what sells. Ask how their fees and rules work, including any recall checks, before you sign up.

Safe meetups

For local sales, meet in daylight in a public place, such as a police station parking lot or busy store entrance, and bring a friend if you can. Get help carrying heavy or bulky items so you don’t strain your back, and accept payment before the item changes hands.

A word on taxes and benefits

Online marketplaces and payment apps report certain payments to the IRS on Form 1099-K, and the IRS says items sold at a gain should be reported. Selling regularly as a small business may also affect taxes and, for some people, benefits such as Social Security before full retirement age, SSI or Medicaid. Check the SSA’s page on working while getting benefits and your own situation.

Selling Outgrown Toys and Games Before the Holidays

What tends to be worth listing