Secondhand Gift Ideas for Kids
Every year around the holidays, my social media feed fills with highly specific, trendy kids’ toys—most of them plastic, most of them pricey, and most destined to lose their shine by February. If you’re feeling the same fatigue, I promise that secondhand gifts can feel even more magical.
As a self-proclaimed thrifty gal who spends an arguably concerning amount of time at op shops and on Facebook Marketplace, I constantly see amazing, affordable items that make incredible gifts for kids.
Here are my favorite secondhand gift ideas for kids.
Dress-Up Box
Kids never get tired of dressing up, and creating a dress-up box is one of the easiest, most affordable gifts you can pull together.
You can thrift:
- Superhero capes
- Fairy wings
- Tulle skirts
- Purses and handbags
- Hats and headbands
- Beaded necklaces or pretend jewelry
Pop everything into a cute basket or hang items on a peg rail (also thrifted or handmade!) and you’ve instantly created hours of imaginative play. It’s always been the go-to play activity for my kids when they have friends over, and it’s endlessly customizable depending on what you find.
Art Supplies
Thrift stores are a goldmine for craft supplies if you’re willing to dig a little. I’ve usually found this section in a rickety old box or in a bin of the least organized tidbits you’ll ever see, so I go full raccoon but the hunt is worth it for some amazing secondhand gifts for kids, I promise.
Search for:
- Paint sets
- Colored pencils and crayons
- Brush sets
- Canvases
- Felt sheets
- Pom poms, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes
- Play-Doh tools
- Fun paper
- Stickers and stamps
Group everything into a small rolling cart, caddy, or craft box and you’ve got a creative gift basket that keeps kids busy for days. This is perfect for rainy days, holiday breaks, or “I need to work for ten minutes, please entertain yourself” moments.
A Dollhouse
This one is close to my heart because dollhouses have become half my personality. The good news? You can find so many secondhand dollhouses on FB Marketplace for around $20–$30.
The fun part is that you can make this gift as simple or as elaborate as you want. Be warned this can totally blow the budget with accessories if you let it, but you can also use literal trash like toilet paper rolls or other thrifted items like popsicle sticks to make the cutest little things.
Or, you could save the remodeling for after you gift it and turn it into a fun activity to do with your little one.
Play Kitchen or Pretend Play Stations
Play kitchens are one of the most enduring, most used toys in our house. I refinished ours nearly five years ago, and both kids played with it constantly.
Search your local thrift stores or Marketplace for:
- Play kitchens (IKEA ones pop up all the time)
- Mud kitchens
- Water tables
- Cash registers
- Pretend coffee shops
- Grocery store setups and play food
A little sanding, paint, or new hardware goes a long way. And the best part? Kids will use these for years.
Bikes, Scooters & Outdoor Toys
If your child is ready to upgrade their scooter or bike, it’s definitely worth checking secondhand first. Kids grow out of wheels so fast that most listed items are in great condition!
You could also keep an eye out for toys like:
- Bikes and trikes
- Scooters
- Balance bikes
- Ride-on toys
- Roller skates
- Sand pits
- Sports equipment
You can usually find them heavily discounted and with plenty of life left in them.
Books, Board Games & Puzzles
This is one of the easiest secondhand gift categories because books and puzzles are everywhere.
Look for:
- Classic board games
- Early chapter books
- Picture books
- STEM games
- Vintage puzzles and wooden toys
Wrap them in brown paper with a cute ribbon or chuck them in a thrifted basket for a cozy “reading nook” themed gift. You could also pair puzzles with a puzzle mat for a little new & old mix.
Tea Party/Picnic Sets
More pretend play, but I see dishes and linens so often and I just know they’d make the cutest gift. How cute would it be to thrift a whole picnic set and give your little one set of coupons for different themed picnics you could do together? Adorable.
A note, though: If you’re thrifting a tea set, make sure dishes are lead-free and safe for play. Stick to modern ceramic, enamel, stainless steel, or wooden sets, and invest in something like this just in case.
What to look for:
- Teacups and saucers
- Tablecloths
- Cloth napkins
- A little woven basket
- Cute cutlery
Playhouses & Cubby Houses
Every now and then someone lists a cubby house for free, as long as you’re willing to haul it. With a little paint and some creativity, you can turn a well-loved cubby into the ultimate backyard hideout.
Why Secondhand Gifts Work So Well
Honestly, kids don’t care whether a toy was $7 from the op shop or $70 from a big box store. I experimented and asked my kids what they got for Christmas last year and they honestly struggled to answer.
But, when I think about the things they play with over and over again consistently, it’s always these kinds of things.
Secondhand gifts for kids are budget friendly for sure, but they’re also sustainable, creative, upcycled or collected with love, and often far better quality than the plastic, trendy toys that go viral each year.
Final Thoughts: Meaningful Doesn’t Have to Mean Expensive
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by gift giving (or trying to stay on budget this year), secondhand gifts for kids are one of the easiest wins. You spend less, create more meaningful experiences, and keep great items out of landfill.
And if you thrift something that needs a little DIY love—well, you know I support that journey wholeheartedly, too.
