Shopping for Toys at the Thrift Store? Check These 5 Things Before You Buy

Buying toys at a thrift store offers a wide range of options for all ages—and it's a sustainable and budget-friendly choice. Many of the toys you'll find have been gently used or are even brand new and still in their original packaging (if you're lucky). However, some toys may be missing a piece or two and may require a little extra care before they're safe for your child to play with or give as a gift.

To learn what to check before buying at a thrift store, we spoke with Onney Crawley from Goodwill Industries International. Ahead, she shares her top tips for what to look for when shopping for toys secondhand and giving them a second life of play.

The Best Toys to Buy at the Thrift Store

Shopping for toys at a thrift store is a little different from going to your local department or toy store. Whether you're shopping for your child or looking for a gift for another, keeping the child's age in mind is crucial for safety.

Crawley recommends looking for children's books, dolls, plastic figurines, action figures, and board games while thrift shopping for toys. "Books and plastic toys that are easy to clean are both safe and durable. There are many excellent name brands out there that are donated to Goodwill," she says.

While shopping, keep an eye out for new toys in their original packaging. It's a major score, notes Crawley, as this indicates the toy hasn't been used at all or has only been used gently. "Some donors do give brand new items to Goodwill; you never know what treasure you might find," she says.

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What to Check for Before You Buy

Here are five things to check before buying a toy:

1. Cleanliness: When assessing toys at the thrift store, make sure they appear clean. Once you get home, it's recommended that you safely sanitize the toy before use.
2. Overall condition: Check that the toy has minimal scratches and wear, says Crawley. If that's the case, you've found yourself a gem.
3. Intact parts: Toys such as board games, puzzles, Legos, or other sets should be examined to ensure all pieces are present and in good condition, Crawley recommends. You don't want to take a toy home only to find that your child can't play with it because key parts are missing.
4. Test electronics: "If you are looking at electronics in Goodwill, many stores will allow you to test the item by plugging it into an electrical socket to ensure that it is in working condition," says Crawley. If you're not shopping at a Goodwill, ask a sales associate whether you can test the electronic item before purchasing it.
5. Safety: "There may be perfectly usable toys for sale, but any toy-new or used-could pose a threat to younger children if it is meant for an older child," Crawley says. Before purchasing, check for any labels listing the recommended age group for the toy.

How to Sanitize Thrifted Toys Safely

Once you have scored on some great toys from the thrift store, it's important that you properly clean and sanitize them before letting your child play with them or gifting them. "Pillows, clothing and stuffed animals should always be laundered in a washing machine with hypoallergenic laundry detergent," said Crawley.

"For toys that could potentially be ingested, certain cleaning solutions should be used so the child cannot get sick," said Crawley. She recommends contacting your pediatrician to confirm which cleaning agents are safe for your child.