Tips to Host a Clothing Swap for Kids

It's a certainty that your children will quickly grow out of their clothes, so instead of spending hours browsing online sales or clothing racks, start planning a kids' clothing swap where parents can exchange items — for free. Make your event a success with these detailed steps for planning your swap.

Organize, Organize, Organize

A successful clothing swap is made in the organizational stages. You need to think of as many contingencies as possible — and recruit plenty of help.

• Find Co-hosts - Reach out to a couple of friends to help with this endeavor. A few helping hands will save time and ease stress. Plus, your friends have their own network of people to add to the guest list.
• Start a Guest List - Who should you invite to the swap? It's best to collaborate with your co-hosts to create a list. First, start by determining an upper limit of guests. You'll also want to determine the age range you're going for — babies and toddlers or elementary school, for instance. Your list can also grow year after year once you've got your logistics down. You could even make it a neighborhood-wide event.
• Pick a Location - This really depends on the above step and how big or small you want to the swap to be. If you're thinking a small group of 30 or fewer, then someone's home may work if organized properly. For larger events, you will want to consider a neighborhood clubhouse or a multi-purpose room at a local church. Keep in mind, using a venue other than someone's home will probably add a cost to your event.
•  - Your best bet is a weekend morning or early afternoon, but you also want to consider seasonality. It's best to organize a swap as parents are ready to switch out winter clothes for spring and summer or vice versa. Send out invites at least a month ahead of time. : Send invitations and with SignUpGenius.