13 Things That Are Great as Hand-Me-Downs (And the Things You Should Probably Toss)

Every parent knows how quickly their kids outgrow everything they wear and enjoy. One day, your tiny newborn is sleeping in the tiniest pajamas, and the next, you’re going to the store to buy something bigger. If you’re planning on having more children down the line or you have nieces and nephews you like to spoil, you may be keeping your children’s older possessions with the hopes of making them hand-me-downs for the next kids who come around. 

You’re not alone in your thinking. Hand-me-downs have long been a parenting tradition, and for good reason. They save money, reduce waste, and often carry sentimental memories. A favorite blanket, beloved storybook, or adorable holiday outfit can become part of a family's history, passed from one sibling to the next. With that said, not everything needs to be passed on. In this guide, we’ll tell you which items make great hand-me-downs, and what you should discard. This way, you can make great memories while reducing unnecessary clutter around the house.

Keep: Clothes

Baby clothes are perhaps the ultimate hand-me-down. Most infants outgrow outfits long before they've had a chance to wear them out. If clothing has been washed properly and stored in a dry location, it's usually perfectly fine to reuse. If everyone takes care of their clothing, some outfits can last for generations. Before giving clothes away, be sure to wash everything thoroughly, remove stains as soon as possible, store the clothing in sealed plastic containers, and label the containers by size and season. 

While you’re thinking about which clothes to keep, consider also keeping dress-up clothes and toys, like princess dresses, pirate hats, and superhero capes. Dress-up clothes are rarely worn enough to wear out completely. They often remain perfectly usable through multiple children. Wash fabric pieces before storing them and repair loose seams if necessary.

While they’re not for babies, you can also consider handing down your maternity clothes to a new mother in need. Clothes continue to become more expensive over time, especially for pregnancy wardrobes worn for only a few months. Store these clean maternity clothes in airtight bins to keep them clean and prevent discoloration.

Finally, if you live in a cold area and you’ve accumulated baby coats, snow pants, mittens, hats, and boots, then consider giving them to someone else once your kids outgrow them. These accessories can also be costly, so it’s a nice gesture. As long as waterproof materials remain intact and zippers work properly, these seasonal items are excellent candidates for hand-me-downs.

Toss: Pacifiers

Pacifiers are among the first items that should never be handed down. The silicone or latex weakens over time, even if the pacifier appears fine. Plus, tiny cracks can trap bacteria, and worn nipples may break apart. Even if your kids are currently using pacifiers, most manufacturers recommend replacing them every few months. Every new baby should get new pacifiers. 

The same idea goes for bottle nipples. They experience constant chewing, sucking, sterilizing, and washing, and through it all, they can crack, thin out, tear, and trap bacteria. You can keep the actual bottles, but purchase new nipples.

Finally, avoid handing down teething toys with cracks or punctures. Some gel-filled teethers lose their seal over time. Others will be unsanitary. If there's any question about their condition, replace them.

Keep: Books

With basic care, children’s books can last for decades and make for excellent hand-me-downs. Board books are especially durable, while hardcover picture books often become treasured family favorites. Keeping books around is essential because they’re filled with knowledge, and they are a form of entertainment that doesn’t require a screen.

New parents can never have enough books to read at bedtime. Before keeping books, inspect them for torn pages, mold, loose bindings, and excessive chewing damage. If you’re waiting for new kids to hand them off to, place them in storage containers where they can stay safe until the time comes.

Toss: Old Cribs and Mattresses

A crib mattress should remain firm and supportive. Your baby can get injured if it does not have the support it needs, so consider tossing any used mattress. This is especially true if you notice that it’s torn, sagging, moldy, or water-damaged. If you notice these issues with a mattress you’re still currently using, it should also be replaced. 

If you’re using a crib that is more than a few years old, you should consider tossing it rather than giving it away. Many older cribs no longer comply with modern regulations. Drop-side cribs, for example, have been banned in many places because of safety concerns. If you're unsure whether yours meets today's standards, replacing it is often the safest choice. Don’t give it away.

Keep: Wooden Toys

Though they may be rarer now, high-quality wooden toys work great as hand-me-downs. If you’re of a certain age, you may have a few wooden toys lying around. Don’t throw them out. Things were made better back in the day, so your wooden toys could last for generations. Unlike many plastic toys, wooden blocks, puzzles, train sets, and stacking toys often survive years of enthusiastic play. Before providing them to someone else, check for splinters, loose pieces, peeling paint, and cracks. Don’t let dirt deter you. Often, a quick cleaning is all they need.

Some wooden toys you could certainly hold onto are building blocks. Some building blocks will be made of plastic, and those are okay to keep as well. These toys encourage creativity and problem-solving skills across multiple age groups and rarely become obsolete. If you have a set of blocks you’re considering keeping for future children, ensure all pieces are intact, no sharp edges have formed, and the toys have been thoroughly cleaned. 

Toss: Worn Shoes

You’re likely going to go through many shoes as your child grows. They may not wear some of them at all, and those are okay to give away. However, worn shoes should not be passed on. Unlike clothing, shoes mold to a child’s feet over time. Handing down heavily worn shoes can negatively affect support and comfort for the kids you hand them down to. If the soles are uneven or the shoes have lost their shape, donate them only if they're barely used — or recycle them if they're worn out.

Keep: Nursery Bookshelves and Furniture

Often, the best hand-me-downs are the items that every new parent needs, and nursery furniture certainly fits this category. Just ensure the items aren't so old that they’re no longer safe for kids. Bookshelves, toy organizers, changing tables, and dressers generally hold up well. If you are giving furniture to a new parent, you must ensure it will not cause harm. Inspect furniture for loose screws, wobbly legs, water damage, chipped wood, and peeling paint. Sometimes, a piece of furniture may seem rickety and old, but you’d be amazed at how simply tightening the hardware before reuse can restore old furniture to its former glory.

Toss: Damaged Drinkware

If you have baby bottles that are still in pristine condition, then consider handing them down to someone else. However, if they’re damaged in any way, toss them. Deep scratches in baby bottles may harbor bacteria. Discard any bottles that are cloudy, cracked, chipped, or warped. You should also discard your old small sippy cup valves that will wear down over time. Replacing these inexpensive parts helps reduce leaks and improve cleanliness. When you’re done with them, toss them out.

Keep: Baby Blankets and Bibs

When you’re thinking about which hand-me-downs to keep or toss, remember what you needed when you were a new parent. Future parents are almost guaranteed to need them as well. One essential item every baby will appreciate is a warm blanket. Receiving blankets, muslin swaddles (if still in good condition), and thicker blankets can all be reused. Fabric tends to age well when stored properly. Just be sure to wash it thoroughly before using it again. If blankets have holes or fraying edges, retire them.

Next, consider your burp cloths and bibs. These may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to hand-me-downs, but you’re going to buy a lot of them when you first have your child. Give away those that you don’t use. Even if some are used, these simple fabric items wash well and are inexpensive to store. Before giving them away, inspect them for mold, excessive staining, worn-out fabric, or permanent odors. If they have any issues, toss them.

Toss: Worn Plush Toys

Stuffed animals can absolutely become family treasures — but not all of them are worth saving. It’s important to inspect each fluffy friend before giving it away. Look for mold, broken seams, loose stuffing, strong odors, or missing eyes or noses that can become choking hazards. 

Keep: Baby Carriers

Soft baby carriers can be very costly, but they are essential for new parents. Before you consider handing down any carriers, ensure they meet current safety standards. Even if they are up to code, inspect them to verify that there are no tears, the buckles function correctly, and the fabric remains strong. 

Toss: Car Seats

While many baby carriers can make for nice hand-me-downs, giving car seats to others is generally a bad idea. Car seats have expiration dates. Over the years, materials weaken, and safety standards go out of date. If you’re considering giving your old car seat to someone else, inspect it carefully. Ensure it’s not expired, that it has not been in a car that’s had a moderate or severe crash, that no parts are missing, and that it has not been recalled. If you’re unsure at all, don’t put another child in danger by giving it away. Instead, ensure that you properly recycle car seats.

Keep: Toys Without Batteries

While older kids will gravitate toward electronics, babies and young kids often have toys that don’t contain batteries, and these generally last longer. Simple toys like shape sorters, stacking cups, rattles, push toys, and washed plush animals make great hand-me-downs. Give them a thorough cleaning before giving them to others. If you have simple toys that use batteries, remove the batteries first. They are often easily forgotten in electronics, and they will erode over time.

Toss: Open Containers and Used Products

This one may be more obvious, but just because you haven’t used all of something, it doesn’t mean you should give it away. For instance, avoid handing down used and expired sunscreen. Sunscreen loses its effectiveness after its expiration date, and it should not be relied on for UV protection. It’s a similar situation for diaper creams, ointments, and lotions. They have expiration dates and can become contaminated after repeated use. Finally, though they may be cute, don’t pass on used baby toothbrushes. Like adult toothbrushes, baby toothbrushes wear out and accumulate bacteria. Replace them rather than storing them.

General Tips About Hand-Me-Downs

In the end, what you decide to hand down to loved ones versus what you decide to keep can depend on several factors:

Items That Depend on Their Condition

Some baby gear falls into a gray area. They may appear perfectly safe, but what you do with them will depend on their age and condition. Items in this category include:

• Strollers
• High chairs
• Play yards
• Bouncers
• Baby swings
• Activity centers

Before using them, check for recalls, ensure that straps work properly, test the locking mechanisms, tighten the hardware, look for cracked plastic, and confirm that instruction manuals and documentation for them are still available.

Store Hand-Me-Downs Properly

Whether you’re handing off items today or you plan to in the future, essential care and storage are necessary. Follow these guidelines depending on the item:

• Wash everything before packing it away.
• Allow fabrics to dry completely.
• Use airtight plastic containers rather than cardboard.
• Avoid damp basements or hot attics whenever possible.
• Label containers clearly by size and age.
• Place silica gel packets inside bins if moisture is a concern.

Perhaps most importantly, always check online for any product recalls before giving something away so you don’t put anyone in danger.

The Bottom Line

Hand-me-downs are one of parenting's smartest traditions, so it’s worth continuing. You just need to be cautious. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself three simple questions before reusing any baby item: Is it clean? Is it in excellent condition? Does it still meet today's safety recommendations? If the answer to all three is yes, it's likely a great hand-me-down. If not, it's probably time to let it go. By thoughtfully choosing what to keep and what to toss, you can strike a balance between keeping memories alive, saving money, and staying safe.

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