When your kids grow out of their clothes, you might want to swap them with another family. A baby clothing exchange gives you the chance to clear out your children’s closets, refill them with new pieces, and make connections in your community.

The success of a clothing swap depends heavily on how well you plan it. Before you invite people, decide how much clothing to limit per family and what age range the swap will cover. Also, decide if you’ll allow other items, like shoes or toys. You should also decide whether to include maternity and men’s clothing, depending on space and goals.

Find a Location

Clothing swaps can take up a lot of space, so you’ll need to find a venue that has plenty of tables. A church hall, school cafeteria, library meeting room, or another large space works best. It’s also important to think about parking and stroller accessibility.

Set a Drop-Off Date

If you’re planning on holding a clothing swap, set a deadline for when participants can drop off their items before the event. Ask them to organize their clothes by size and to bring hangers if possible.

Set a Swap Date

The best time to host a clothing swap is in late fall or early winter, right before the weather turns cold. This makes it easier for parents to swap out their children’s warm-weather wardrobe for winter clothes.

Create a Layout

Arranging the clothes in a U-shape or long lines of tables eases the flow of people through the swapping process. It’s also helpful to sort and label the tables by gender (girls on one side, boys on the other).

Establish a Check-out Process

A check-out table is crucial to make sure everyone gets out of the swap with only the clothing they intended to buy. This is also a great way to monitor items that might be left behind by mistake.

You may also choose to have a space for “landing zones” for items participants might think twice about or don’t need anymore. This allows guests to go back through their clothes before leaving and make a decision about what to keep or donate. Lastly, set up a coffee or tea station where you can offer snacks to your guests as they shop.