Did you know that in the United States and Canada, the average amount of money that parents spend on toys for each child is around 300 U.S. dollars (2019 statistics)? Once you add the gifts from grandparents, aunts and uncles, and other friends and family members, most children in North America probably have a small fortune in the toys that fill their rooms. The global toy market had an estimated size of more than 90 billion U.S. dollars in 2019, and that number is only expected to grow in the coming years. 

From the traditional Legos and Barbies, to more sophisticated toys that incorporate robotics and other electronics, the toy market is continuing to evolve. Shopping for your children's birthday or for Christmas presents for your nieces and nephews is becoming increasingly complicated as the variety and diversity of toys are only continuing to increase. 

As our kids grow older, however, the toys, play sets, clothing, children's furniture, and other items that we purchase for them eventually get left behind. As any parent knows, kids seem to grow out of their clothing on a monthly basis. Once children reach a certain age, many of the toys and other treasured items are relegated to a “keepsake” box in the attic or eventually thrown into the trash. 

Though that treasured child blanket or the first pair of baby shoes may be keepsakes that you want to hold onto for the memories they evoke, many parents understand that the items our kids leave behind as they grow older certainly take up a lot of space in our homes. Most of us equate trash and pollution with the everyday items that make their way into our garbage cans before eventually being sent to the local landfill. However, the children's clothing, furniture, toys, and other items that we throw away also have a sizable environmental footprint. This article offers a complete and in-depth look at how parents can efficiently and responsibly get rid of the items that their children have outgrown. 

Junk King is the nation's leading professional junk removal company. We have hundreds of different franchises in several states across the United States. Our professional junk removal services are offered to both residential and commercial clients. We can help you remove virtually any type of junk that you may have lying around your home or business, including old furniture, hot tubs, appliances, construction debris, yard debris, and anything and everything else that is not classified as toxic waste.

If your basement, attic, or garage is filled to the brim with boxes of baby clothes, old toys, and the bunk bed that your child grew out of, Junk King can help you quickly and efficiently get rid of those items.  Below, we briefly explain the type of “kid's junk” that many parents accumulate over the years, and how parents, grandparents, or other guardians can responsibly get rid of those items that they no longer want or need. We also respond to a few frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to how to responsibly get rid of a children's items in an environmentally friendly manner. Lastly, we explain why Junk King is the best professional junk removal company to help you free up space in your home as your kid's inevitably outgrow the hundreds of items that we purchase for them throughout their childhood. 

What is a Kid's Junk? 

According to one recent analysis, “at any given age, the average American child has between 70 and 100 toys—and some as many as 200.” With birthdays and Christmases an annual occurrence, the amount of “stuff” that children accumulate can seem to grow exponentially on a year-by-year basis. One expert in the global toy industry finds that the average lifespan of a toy fad is only about eight months from its launch until it's marked down. As the popularity of certain toys eventually fades, many parents race to make sure that their children have the latest toys on the market, thus relegating older toys to the abandoned shelves of a closet before they're eventually thrown away. 

And it's not just the toys that our children accumulate that eventually end up stored in our home or thrown out with the rest of the garbage. Think about all the other items that we purchase for babies and children throughout their lives. Cribs and playpens are necessary to keep infants and toddlers safe, as are car seats for children of different ages. Stair barriers, banister guards, helmets for helping kids learn how to ride their first bike, and an arsenal of other safety gear are a top priority for parents who want to make sure that their curious toddler stays healthy and safe. 

Meal times add another stash of items that children quickly grow out of. Most parents probably have an entire cupboard filled with baby bottles, plastic forks and spoons, “Sippy cups,” bibs, school lunch boxes, and other special plates and utensils that your children used throughout their childhood, but that you probably wouldn’t feel comfortable putting out on the table to entertain company. 

Of course, there are other larger items that we purchase for our children that they also eventually leave behind. Race-car themed toddler beds, bean bags and children-sized couches, bunk beds, dressers, and other children's furniture often ends up awkwardly placed in the guest bedroom or an empty corner of the basement. Clothing is another major item that we purchase for children and that they quickly grow out of. Unless you have a second child who gets the “hand-me-downs,” most of those clothing items are only used for a year (at most) before eventually getting stored or thrown out. 

Outside the home, our yards and garages might also be storing other larger kid's items that rarely get used anymore, including: 

• Swings, slides, and other playground equipment
• Old bicycles 
• Trampolines 
• Sports equipment 
• Inflatable pools 
• Battery-powered cars

After a couple decades of raising children, parents should not be surprised to find that virtually every nook and cranny of their home is filled with items that their children have left behind. Though getting rid of those items might certainly lead to a certain sense of nostalgia, it can also free up needed space in your house. 

Some Statistics on Kid's Junk 

The amount of “stuff” that we purchase for our children throughout their lives doesn’t only clutter our home, but it also comes with a sizable economic cost and environmental footprint. Consider the following statistics:

• According to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture, the average family spends around $1,280 annually on children's clothing. That amounts to approximately 6 percent of the total costs to raise a child.
• At least 10 percent of Americans rent offsite storage, making self-storage facilities the fastest growing segment of the commercial real estate industry over the past four decades. It's probably safe to assume that much of that rental storage space is used for storing our kid's “stuff.” 
• A quarter of all American households with two-car garages do not have any space in those garages to park their cars inside them. Only 32 percent of those households only have room for one vehicle.
• Only 3.1 percent of the world’s children live in the United States, but these children own 40 percent of the toys consumed globally. 
• The average American throws away 65 pounds of clothing per year, much of that undoubtedly being clothes that our children have grown out of. 
• In 2015, a family will spend approximately $12,980 annually per child in a middle-income, two-child, married-couple family. That amounts to almost a quarter million dollars per child from the time they're born until they reach the age of 17. While some of that expense obviously goes to food, schooling, and other essentials, we also spend an enormous amount of money on consumer items for our children that eventually either get put into storage or thrown away. 
• Around 80 percent of children's toys eventually end up in a landfill, incinerator, or the ocean. At least 90 percent of those toys are made of plastic and are used for just six months on average.
• The toy industry uses 40 tons of plastic for every $1 million in revenues and is the most plastic-intensive industry in the world. 

These statistics go to show that the toys, clothing, furniture, and other items that we purchase for our children don’t only cost parents a large amount of their income, but they also take up an enormous amount of space in our homes. The environmental impact of these items, especially once they are discarded, is also a major issue that parents should take into consideration. 

How to Responsibly and Efficiently Get Rid of Kid's Junk

So what exactly should parents do with the toys, clothing, beds, furniture, playground equipment, and dozens of other kid's “stuff” that inevitably accumulates over the years? Unfortunately, the vast majority of kid's “junk” usually gets thrown into the trash where it is eventually landfilled or incinerated. According to one recent analysis, “seven states are looking at running out of landfill space in the next five years, one state will reach capacity in five to 10 years and three states have 11 to 20 years to go.” 

On a national level, then, we only have an estimated 62 years until all of our currently operating landfill facilities are filled to overflowing. Given this reality, many cities and towns around the country are implementing ambitious public policies to attempt to achieve a “zero waste” future. This goal attempts to eventually divert 100 percent of trash from the landfill through recycling, refurbishing, donating, and repurposing items that are no longer of use. 

Whether you just sent your last child off to college and are going through the process of reclaiming space in your home, or you simply cannot find enough space to store your children's stuff that they hardly ever use, there are fortunately several environmentally friendly ways to get rid of your kid's junk. Below, we quickly run through a few of the ways you can get rid of your kid's items without simply sending them to the dump. 

Sell Your Kid's Stuff 

There is a huge market for used children's clothes, furniture, toys, and other kid's items. Because new items can be costly, many parents are on the lookout for bargain used items. Of course, to sell your kid's stuff that they no longer use, it's important that the items are still functional and in decent shape. You're probably not going to get a lot of buyers for a rusty trampoline that is filled with holes or your child's jeans that have more stains than natural color. 

For selling your child's used clothes, toys, and other items, consider participating in a neighborhood garage sale, or listing your items on your local Craigslist page. Believe it or not, there are actually online marketplaces that are specifically dedicated to selling children's used items, kind of like an E-Bay for parents looking to sell their children's stuff that is cluttering their home. 

Kidzen is one online platform where parents can sell used children's clothes. If you don’t have time to manage an online ecommerce platform, you can also connect with a certified seller who will do the work for you for a small fee.  Similarly, in the day and age of global pandemics, many potential buyers will probably not be up for going to physical yard sales. Varage Sale is like an “online garage sale” where you can buy and sell locally most any used item that you want to get rid of. This is a great platform to hopefully connect you with local parents looking for discount deals on a huge variety of used children's items.  

Donate your Kid's Stuff

If you simply don’t have the time to organize a garage sale or spend hours uploading pictures of your used kid items to an ecommerce site, donating your children's used stuff is another great possibility. Though it may be hard to believe, around 3 percent of children in the United States do not have a bed of their own, meaning that they either share a bed with one (or several) siblings, or sleep on the floor. Similarly, many underprivileged families may not be able to afford adequate clothing, toys, educational materials, and other important and essential items that most take for granted. 

Fortunately, there are several different organizations that specifically help parents donate their child's used clothing, toys, furniture, school supplies, and other kid's items to families in need. Consider checking with your local Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity to see what items they may take at their drop-off locations. Similarly, Green Drop is another organization that helps convert lightly used clothing and household items into critical funds for great American charities!

Repurpose or Upcycle your Children's Used Items 

In some cases, donating or selling your children's used items is simply not possible due to the sorry state they're in. Nobody is probably going to want your child's used baseball uniform that is stained beyond repair. However, teaching your children the value of repurposing or “upcycling” old, worn-out items can be an important way to help your child develop an environmental awareness. Instead of simply throwing out those old, stained clothes, consider teaching your child how to cut and sew those old clothes into new items such as a produce bag, a reusable grocery bag, or a unique denim rug for their room. Even old children's mattresses can be reupholstered and turned into a comfortable porch swing. 

Recycle your Kid's Stuff 

Almost all of your children's used items can also be recycled fairly easily.  As we mentioned above, the vast majority of toys are made from plastic, which is easily recyclable. Your child's used clothing can be taken to textile recycling drop-off centers. If your child played with different types of electronic toys or school items, these may be classified as “e-waste”, and could leach toxic chemicals if sent out with the trash. Fortunately, e-waste recycling centers are also popping up around the country. Check with your local recycling agency or municipal solid waste company to see what things can and cannot be recycled. 

Full-Service Junk Removal

Let's face it, getting rid of your kids' junk is going to be a time consuming process. Not to mention, sorting and choosing which of  your children's toys and belongings to get rid of can cause a lot of stress and strife in the household. We’ve put together some tips for creating more space by getting your kids involved in the junk removal process:

1. Get rid of large items you don't use.
Did the play structure in the backyard get any playtime this year? Maybe you can get rid of that treadmill no one uses. Removing bulky items can make space for more practical things like a desk. You can involve your kids by asking them how they would like to use the extra space.

2. Set up a system that empowers your kids and gives them a choice over what they keep and what they throw out.
A simple three basket system will help your kids select the items they want to keep, items they want to donate, and items they're ready to throw out. Let them know what will happen to the items they give up, and share some guidance for how to choose the things they want to keep.

3. Give your kids creative freedom.
Instead of allowing your kid's things to slowly take over the entire house, you can work with your kids to clear their rooms of clutter by giving them some creative freedom.

Maybe they need a desk to complete their school work or shelfs to display some of their accomplishments. Whatever the case, most likely they'll have to get rid of some old items to make room for their new stuff, but they'll be excited to do it if they can be involved in the decorating process. This can also turn into a fun DIY project if they want to revamp an old book shelf or turn an old table into a desk.

If you simply don’t have time to go through all of your children's used items that you want to get rid of, you can also hire a full-service junk removal company to do the work for you. Junk King is the nation's top-rated junk removal company with hundreds of different franchises located across the country. Our professional junk removal technicians make it easy for you to free up space in your home by getting rid of the clutter that comes with years of raising a family. 

Simply tell us what you want removed, and we will do all the heavy lifting and hauling. We are also one of the few junk removal companies that offers free, on-site pricing so that you can know exactly what you are paying for. In many cases, we may be able to haul away your kid's junk on the same day you contact us. 

Lastly, we are also proud to say that our company is 100 percent dedicated to keeping your kid's junk out of landfills and incinerators. All of the Junk King franchises have developed an extensive network with local recycling operations, non-profit organizations, thrift stores, donation centers, and others to ensure that all of the items we pick up get a chance at a second life. At least 60 percent of all the junk we haul away is completely diverted from local landfills in the communities we serve. 

Dumpster Rental

Lastly, you may also consider renting a dumpster to get rid of your children's used items. This options can be helpful when you feel that you need a little extra time to go through your children's items and determine what stays and what needs to go. Junk King also offers dumpster rental to our customers, and our customer service representatives can help you determine the best size dumpster for your needs and where you can safely and legally place the dumpster on your property. Once you've finished sorting through your children's items, simply give Junk King a call and they will haul away the dumpster and its contents. 

Cost of Kid's Junk Removal

Getting rid of your kid's junk and freeing up space in your home shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Unfortunately, many municipal trash services might charge you a hefty fee for removing larger items such as your children's used furniture or larger toys. Furthermore, some private junk removal companies do not offer transparent pricing, which could result in higher bills than what you originally expected to pay. 

At Junk King, we are committed to providing all of our customers with fair and transparent pricing mechanisms. We offer four simple ways to get a direct quote for the kid's junk you need hauled away: 

1. On-Site Pricing Estimate: On-site pricing is the best and most accurate way for us to assess the job and offer you the lowest price. Unlike other companies, our on-site pricing estimates are completely free, and come with no-obligation on your part. Our junk removal professionals will inspect the junk you need hauled away and offer you an upfront price. If a price is agreed upon, we will often be able to get rid of your junk on the same day. 
2. Call to Talk with a Trained Customer Service Representative: If you'd prefer to talk with someone before making a decision, you can call us toll-free at l 888-888-JUNK. Our customer service representatives can help you plan the logistics for any size junk removal and offer you a price estimate based on the amount of kid's junk you need to get rid of. 
3. Text us a Photo: For smaller jobs, you can simply take a photo of your items, text us at 737-888-5865, and we will text you back an estimate. Once you accept the estimate, all you have to do is wait for the Junk King truck to arrive.
4. Online pricing estimator: Lastly, Junk King also offers an easy-to-use online pricing estimator. Simply enter your zip code to ensure that you are in the right service area and provide a few more pieces of information regarding the junk you need removed. Our pricing estimator allows you to receive a transparent cost estimate based on either the actual items you need hauled away, or the anticipated volume in the Junk King truck you plan on taking up. The online pricing estimator is convenient, reliable, and time saving for those on a tight schedule. 

No matter what option you choose, as soon as a price is agreed upon, you choose a date and two-hour service window that works for your schedule. Our junk removal professionals will call you 15-30 minutes before we show up to promptly take your junk! 

Kid's Junk Removal FAQs

If you have never worked with a junk removal company, it's important to clear up some of the questions and doubts you may have. Below are a few answers to some of the most common frequently asked questions (FAQs) that our clients here at Junk King have asked in the past. 

What are you doing to ensure safety during COVID-19?

We take the health and welfare of our crew and customers very seriously. To keep everyone safe, we are 100 percent committed to maintaining a minimum 6-foot distance from every customer. Also, you can opt for “contact-less” service wherein our haulers can pick up your kid's junk curbside, never entering your home. You can also send photos to the Junk King team for a touch-less price quote, and even pay for our services over the phone to limit social exposure. Gloves, masks and hand sanitizers are provided on every truck used to protect both you and our haulers.

Am I able to drop off my car junk at a Junk King location?

At this time, Junk King Franchises across the country do not accept drop offs. However, we do offer a self-service junk removal option with our mini dumpster rentals. We will drop off a dumpster in your driveway and drive away. You keep it as long as you want and let us know when to come pick it up. You only pay for the space you use!

What is curbside pickup?

Simply leave your kid's junk outside, on the curb or driveway, in a side yard, backyard, or carport, and our professional crews will come by, pick up and haul away your car junk without ever making contact. You can even make payment over the phone.

How do you ensure that my kid's junk is not simply taken to a landfill? 

Every one of our Junk King franchises has a huge network of relationships with local recycling operations, donation centers, non-profit organizations, and other companies that help us find a way to either donate, recycle, or repurpose your children's used items. We are proud to not only help keep items out of our local landfills, but to also help facilitate donations of used items to families in need. 

Choosing a Company to Help with Your Kid's Junk Removal

As we have said throughout this article, not every junk removal company operates with the same values of customer service, environmental protection, and transparent pricing. When choosing a company to help with your kid's removal, make sure to prioritize companies with the following characteristics: 

• Transparent Pricing Mechanisms: An honest and trustworthy junk removal company should be able to offer you transparent pricing mechanisms. There is nothing worse than hiring a company to get rid of your precious used children's items only to find out that they are going to charge you double what they had originally quoted once the truck is at your home. Look for companies that offer either online pricing estimates or free, in-person quotes. 
• A Commitment to Recycling and Donations: The best junk removal companies will go the extra mile to ensure that the junk they haul away is not simply taken to the nearest landfill. Junk King is one of the few junk removal companies that can say that over 60 percent of all the junk we haul away is either donated, recycled, or repurposed. 
• Quality Customer Service: Lastly, the top junk removal companies will also offer superior customer service that ensures that you, as the customer, do not have to do any sort of heavy lifting or moving of the heavy kid's items that you need hauled away. 

Why Choose Junk King? 

Junk King is one of the few junk removal companies around the country that has an environmental ethic as a foundational element of our business model. We originally began our junk removal services in the San Francisco, California area as a way to offer our residential and commercial clients an environmentally friendly way to deal with all different types of junk and waste that they accumulate. We are proud to say that all of our franchises across the country are committed to recycling, donating, repurposing, or “upcycling” at least 60 percent of the junk that we pick up. For children's clothes, toys, furniture, and other used items, we are almost always able to recycle or donate a much higher percentage of what we haul away due to the high demand for these items and the ease of recycling. 

We understand that getting rid of bulky junk kid's furniture and large toys can be a difficult, especially for people who cannot do any sort of heavy lifting. Thus, we are also committed to making it extremely easy and efficient for you to get rid of your kid's junk. Once you have hired us, we will do all the heavy lifting and towing. You simply have to let us know where your used children's items are located and we will do the rest. Due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, we also offer no-contact service, meaning that you never have to physically interact with our junk removal technicians. 

Here at Junk King, we guarantee to offer fair and transparent cost estimates in writing. We also are confident that we can beat any written estimate, and offer the absolute best service in our industry. We truly believe that it is a combination of excellent customer service and a commitment to recycling, reusing, or donating more than half of the junk we pick up that has allowed our family business to continue to grow and expand into new locations around North America. 

Junk King is the number-one rated junk removal company in North America and has over 100 franchise locations in the United States and Canada. We are an established company with a proven track record. Our company is also fully insured, bonded, and licensed so that you can rest assured that you will never have to deal with unforeseen liabilities. 

No matter what type of kid's junk you need to get rid of, we are here to help you efficiently and easily free up space in your home. Give us a call at 1-888-888-JUNK, text a photo to 1-737-888-5865, or book an appointment online to save $20 on orders totaling more than $99. Junk King continues to offer free, on-site written estimates, which is still the best way for us to give you our lowest pricing possible.