As environmental awareness grows and consumer mindsets shift, more and more families are embracing and actively participating in the “secondhand economy.” This trend is especially evident after the arrival of a new baby, when households need a wide variety of items that are frequently replaced. Many children’s products have a short usage cycle and are often left idle after limited use. Whether to save money or reduce waste and support a sustainable lifestyle, buying and selling secondhand goods has become a popular choice for many families.

Why Choose Secondhand Kids’ Gear?

Children grow fast, and many items—such as clothes, shoes, and toys—quickly become unsuitable even though they are still in good condition. For families facing financial pressure, buying secondhand can significantly ease the cost of raising a child. For wealthier families, even though everything may be bought brand new, the short usage span often leads to items being left unused. In such cases, reselling, donating, or exchanging items is a smart way to share resources and support sustainability.

From a buyer’s perspective, secondhand shopping is no longer just about saving money—it’s also about practicality. Today’s consumers are more rational; they carefully read product descriptions, inspect photos, and check user reviews to ensure quality, good value, and usability before making a purchase.

Common Types of Secondhand Kids’ Items

The secondhand market offers a wide variety of children’s products, including:

- Baby and toddler clothing, shoes, and hats

- Toys, picture books, and early learning materials

- Strollers, car seats, and high chairs

- Cribs, playpens, and children's furniture

- Maternity items (e.g., nursing pillows, breast pumps)

These are often used only temporarily, remain in good condition, and are perfectly suitable for reuse.

Recommended Secondhand Platforms Around the World

Secondhand trading habits and platforms vary by region. Here are some standout platforms for buying and selling kids’ gear:

Europe

- Vinted Kids

Originating in Lithuania, Vinted now operates in Germany, France, Spain, the UK, and other countries. It has a dedicated kids’ section, offers free listings with no seller fees, and charges buyers for shipping and service fees. Ideal for small- to medium-sized items, though shipping rules and return policies vary by region.

- eBay / eBay Kleinanzeigen (Germany)

Suitable for both cross-border and local transactions. eBay has a broad reach and high traffic, while Kleinanzeigen focuses more on local, in-person sales—great for large items. Auction-style listings can boost final sale prices, but sellers must handle fees and a more complex process.

North America

- Facebook Marketplace

Widely used across the US, Canada, and Europe. It leverages Facebook’s large user base to facilitate local deals, especially for large items like cribs and strollers. However, it doesn’t provide payment or shipping protection—buyers and sellers must coordinate everything themselves.

- ThredUp (US)

A consignment-style platform focused on women’s and children’s clothing. Users simply send in their items, and ThredUp handles everything from photographing to listing and selling. It’s very convenient, but has relatively high commission fees and only accepts certain brands in good condition.

- Poshmark Kids (US, Canada)

A social-style marketplace with a dedicated kids’ section. Users enjoy high engagement, fast transactions, and community features. However, platform fees apply.

Asia

- Mercari (Japan)

Japan’s largest C2C secondhand platform, very active in the baby and maternity category. User-friendly and widely trusted.

- Danggeun Market (South Korea)

A local community-based platform ideal for big items like children’s furniture and baby gear. Emphasizes neighborhood trust and face-to-face transactions.

- Xianyu (China)

Operated by Alibaba, Xianyu has a highly active baby and maternity market. With a huge user base and high engagement, it’s one of China’s top platforms for secondhand parenting goods.

Oceania & Southeast Asia

- Gumtree (Australia)

Similar to Craigslist, it focuses on local, in-person sales—especially good for bulky items like kids’ furniture.

- Carousell (Singapore)

A leading secondhand platform in Southeast Asia. It supports the baby and maternity category and is easy to use—perfect for beginners in secondhand trading.

If you’re not sure which platform to start with, consider asking friends or checking social media for recommendations. Try a few small transactions first to get a feel for the process, and gradually find the method and platform that works best for you.

Let “use, not own” become your new parenting mindset—a smart, eco-friendly, and budget-conscious way to raise your child.