What Is Kid to Kid, and How Does This Consignment Store Work?
Kid to Kid is a consignment retail chain that specializes in buying, selling, and trading children's items—primarily clothing, toys, gear, and furniture. If you're unfamiliar with consignment shopping, it's a straightforward model: the store sells items on behalf of their owners, takes a percentage of the sale price, and gives the rest to the original owner. For families managing the costs of raising children, understanding how Kid to Kid operates can help you decide whether it fits your needs and budget.
This article explains how the store works, what you can expect when buying or consigning items, and the key factors that affect your experience.
How Kid to Kid's Consignment Model Works
Kid to Kid operates on a consignment system, not a traditional retail model. Here's the basic process:
If you're selling items to the store: You bring gently used children's items to a Kid to Kid location. A staff member inspects them for condition, cleanliness, and current demand. If they accept your items, they place them on the sales floor with a price tag. When an item sells, Kid to Kid keeps a percentage (typically 40–50% of the sale price) and returns the remainder to you. If items don't sell within a set timeframe—usually 60–90 days, though this varies by location—you either pick them up or authorize the store to donate or discard them.
If you're buying items: You shop the store's inventory at typically lower prices than new retail, since the items are gently used and the store has lower overhead than traditional boutiques. Every item has been inspected by the store before hitting the sales floor.
This model creates a win-win structure in theory: sellers recoup some money from items their children outgrow, and buyers save significantly on children's essentials.
What Items Can You Consign?
Kid to Kid accepts a range of children's products, though acceptance standards are strict. Common consignment categories include:
- Clothing and footwear (seasonal, barely worn, name brands often prioritized)
- Toys (functional, with all pieces, batteries, and original packaging when available)
- Gear (car seats, strollers, high chairs, cribs—though safety recalls disqualify many items)
- Books (popular titles in good condition)
- Sports equipment and outdoor gear
Not all items are accepted. Kid to Kid typically rejects items that are stained, torn, missing pieces, or out of fashion. Car seats with unknown histories or recalls are frequently declined due to safety concerns. Items must also align with current market demand—slow-moving inventory takes up valuable shelf space.
Each location makes its own acceptance decisions based on local demand and current inventory levels. This means the same item might be accepted at one store and declined at another.
What You'll Earn as a Seller
The amount you receive depends on several factors:
Sale price. Kid to Kid sets the price for each consigned item based on brand, condition, age, and current demand. Designer brands and trendy items typically command higher prices. Seasonal items (winter coats in summer, or vice versa) may price lower.
Store commission. The store's cut generally ranges from 40–50% of the sale price, though this can vary. You keep the remainder.
Item type. Higher-ticket items like strollers or car seats sometimes have different commission structures than clothing.
Timing. Items that sit unsold for 60–90 days are typically returned to you or disposed of, meaning you earn nothing if they don't sell within that window.
To get a realistic picture of potential earnings, call your local Kid to Kid before bringing in items. Ask what commission percentage they charge, how they price similar items currently in stock, and what happens to unsold inventory.
The Buyer's Perspective: What to Expect
From a purchasing standpoint, Kid to Kid offers savings but comes with trade-offs:
Price advantages. Prices are typically 40–60% below new retail for comparable items, making it an economical choice for families cycling through clothing sizes quickly or looking to stock up on toys and gear without premium price tags.
Inventory variability. Unlike traditional stores with consistent stock, Kid to Kid's shelves reflect what consignors have brought in. Selection changes frequently. You might find exactly what you need one visit and nothing suitable the next. Popular brands and sizes move quickly.
Condition consistency. All items have been inspected, but "gently used" means different things to different people. Some items may show light wear; others look nearly new. It's worth examining items closely before checkout.
Return policies. Most Kid to Kid locations have limited or no return policies on consigned goods (the store didn't manufacture them), so inspect before purchasing.
Key Variables That Shape Your Experience
Several factors determine whether Kid to Kid is a practical fit for your family:
Your children's ages and how quickly they grow. Families with infants and toddlers often recoup more because these items cycle through quickly and have high demand. Older children's clothing and toys may take longer to sell.
Brand preference. If you consign or buy only name brands, Kid to Kid's inventory may align better with your needs. Generic or lesser-known brands may price lower and sell more slowly.
Seasonality. Winter coats sell faster in fall; summer clothes move in spring. Off-season consignments often sit longer.
Location demand. A Kid to Kid in a suburban area with high turnover will move inventory faster than one in a slower market, affecting both your earnings timeline and buying selection.
Item condition standards. The pickier the store is in your area, the fewer items get accepted—but those accepted may sell faster.
Your timeline. If you need immediate cash or have no space to store rejected items, consignment may frustrate you. If you're flexible, it works fine.
What Makes This Different From Other Options
Consignment isn't the only way to recycle children's items. You could also:
- Sell directly online (Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Craigslist) for potentially higher per-item prices but more effort
- Donate items for a tax deduction and zero hassle
- Trade with other parents informally
- Sell to buy-sell-trade apps that handle logistics
Kid to Kid fills a middle ground: less effort than direct sales, faster inventory turnover than a garage sale, but smaller payouts than selling privately.
Before You Visit
If you're considering Kid to Kid, here's what to clarify beforehand:
- Commission percentage for different item categories
- Acceptance criteria specific to your location
- How items are priced (do you negotiate, or does the store set prices?)
- Timeline for unsold items and what happens to them
- Whether you can request buyout offers for bulk consignments
- Current demand for the types of items you plan to sell
Call ahead or visit in person. Staff can give you realistic expectations based on what's currently moving in your area.
Kid to Kid works best for families who understand the consignment model—that payouts take time, not everything sells, and selection varies—and who find those trade-offs acceptable in exchange for lower prices and the ability to recycle children's items. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities, timeline, and how your family's needs align with consignment realities.