If you've ever stepped on lego at 6am or opened a cupboard to an avalanche of toys, you're not alone. Most Australian families have far more toys than their kids actually play with - and at some point, you have to figure out what to do with old kids' toys that are just taking up space.
The good news is you've got options. Whether you want to make some money back, donate old kids' toys to a good cause, or just get them out of the house, here's a practical breakdown of what works.
I've been surrounded by kids' toys since I was 11 - growing up with my nieces and nephews meant every cupboard, corner, and shelf slowly filled up with plastic. As a naive teenager, I was probably one of the worst offenders for spoiling them. That experience is part of what led me to start Mini Marketa - I wanted to do something about all the toys that pile up in homes like ours. My first project was helping my sisters declutter theirs.
1. Sell second hand kids' toys online
If the toys are in good condition, selling them is the smartest move. Quality second hand kids' toys are in huge demand from parents who want great brands without paying full price.
What sells best:
Brand-name toys that are expensive new - Connetix tiles, LEGO, Duplo, BRIO trains, Jellycat, Grimm's rainbows, wooden toys, puzzles, and board games. Parents are actively searching for these at a discount.
Where to sell:
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Mini Marketa - built specifically for second hand kids' toys. Free to list, we handle payments and support, and you get paid when it sells. List your first toy here.
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Facebook Marketplace - good for local sales but you have to deal with hagglers and no-shows
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Gumtree - similar to Facebook, works for larger items like play kitchens and ride-ons
I've personally helped my sisters and friends declutter using all three. I started with Facebook Marketplace but quickly got tired of the haggling, the no-shows, and having to meet strangers at their house (which can feel a bit dodgy). That's where the idea for Mini Marketa came from. I wanted something simpler and safer, where parents could just list a toy, post it if they like, and get paid without the back and forth.
How much can you make?
It depends on the brand and condition, but as a rough guide:
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Connetix/Magna-Tiles: 60-80% of retail price
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LEGO sets (complete): 50-70%
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Jellycat: 40-60%
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Wooden toys (Grimm's, Hape, Le Toy Van): 40-65%
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Fisher-Price/VTech: 15-30%
2. Donate old kids' toys to charity
If you'd rather give than sell, there are plenty of places that accept toy donations in Australia.
Where to donate kids' toys in Sydney:
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The Smith Family - runs toy drives, especially before Christmas
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Salvation Army (Salvos) - accepts toys in good condition at most stores
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St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) - quality toys accepted at stores
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Ronald McDonald House - toys for kids and families during hospital stays
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Toy libraries - many accept donated toys for their lending collection
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Women's shelters - contact your local council to find shelters accepting donations
Where to donate kids' toys in Australia (not just Sydney):
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Most Salvos and Vinnies stores accept toys nationally
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Check with your local council for community toy drives
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Facebook groups: search "[your suburb] free stuff" or "buy nothing [your area]"
Before you donate: Most charities won't accept broken toys, toys with missing pieces, or heavily worn soft toys. Give them a wipe down and check all the pieces are there. If in doubt, call ahead.
I love donating toys, but I've turned up to drop-off points before only to be told they're full or not accepting donations at the moment. It's frustrating when you've done the hard work of sorting and packing everything up. That's one of the reasons we run toy drives at Mini Marketa - you donate the toys to us, we sell them, and the proceeds go to charity. No getting turned away. If you'd like to see if we have a drive running, check our website or email us at hello@minimarketa.com.
3. Pass them on to friends and family
The classic hand-me-down. If you've got younger kids in your circle, a box of age-appropriate toys is always welcome.
A quick "hey, would your kids be interested in some Duplo?" goes a long way. Not everyone wants a surprise garbage bag of toys on their doorstep.
Best for: Baby and toddler toys (0-2 age range) where kids grow out of things quickly.
4. Join a toy swap
Toy swaps are a great way to refresh your toy collection without spending anything. You bring toys your kids are done with and swap them for something new-to-them.
Where to find toy swaps in Australia:
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Facebook groups: search "[your suburb] toy swap" or "kids swap [your city]"
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Local playgroups and mothers' groups
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Community centres and libraries often host swap events
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Some councils run annual swap meets
Best for: When your kids are bored of everything but you don't want to buy more new toys.
5. Repurpose or upcycle old toys
Some toys can have a second life as something completely different.
Ideas for repurposing old kids' toys:
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Turn figurines into fairy garden decorations
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Use wooden blocks as bookends or shelf decor
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Old toy cars make surprisingly good drawer handles
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Soft toy overload? Rotate them - put half in storage and swap every few months. Kids think they're "new" again
I've tried the rotation trick when my nieces or nephews come to visit and it works a treat!
6. Recycle old toys in Australia
Not all toys are recyclable (mixed-material plastic is tricky), but here are your options.
Toy recycling options in Australia:
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TerraCycle - runs toy-specific recycling programs with drop-off locations around Australia
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Council clean-up - most councils have scheduled bulky waste collection for large toys like ride-ons and play kitchens
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Hard plastic toys - check your local council website for hard plastic drop-off points (most kerbside recycling doesn't accept them)
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Electronic toys - take to an e-waste drop-off point (most councils have these)
Best for: Broken toys, toys with missing pieces, or anything too far gone to donate or sell.
7. Throw it away (and don't feel guilty)
Sometimes a toy is just done. It's broken, half the pieces are missing, the dog chewed it, and it sat in the rain for a week. It happens.
Not everything needs a second life. The goal is to be intentional about the toys that can be reused and let go of the ones that can't.
How to decide: sell, donate, or bin?
Here's a quick guide:
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Good condition + brand name = sell it. You'll make money back and another family gets a great toy at a discount.
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Good condition + generic brand = donate it. It's still useful but probably won't sell for much.
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Broken or missing pieces = recycle or bin. Don't pass the problem on to a charity.
The bigger picture
Australians send an estimated 22 million toys to landfill every year. That's a lot of plastic that didn't need to end up there.
By selling, donating, or swapping even a portion of your outgrown toys, you're keeping them in play longer - and saving another family from buying new.
That's exactly why Mini Marketa exists. We make it easy to buy and sell quality second hand kids' toys online, so great toys get played with longer and fewer end up in the bin.
Ready to start? List your toys on Mini Marketa - it's free, and your living room will thank you.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I donate old kids' toys near me?
If we're running a Toy Drive, you can send them to Mini Marketa. In Australia, the easiest options are Salvos, Vinnies, and The Smith Family stores. Most accept toys in good condition. Your local council website will also list community donation points and toy drives near you.
Can you sell second hand kids' toys online?
Yes. Platforms like Mini Marketa are built specifically for selling second hand kids' toys. Brand-name toys in good condition (LEGO, Connetix, Jellycat, wooden toys) sell particularly well. You can also try Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree.
What kids' toys are worth selling second hand?
Toys that are expensive new and hold their value - Connetix tiles, LEGO, Duplo, BRIO, Grimm's, Jellycat, and quality wooden toys. A complete LEGO set can sell for 50-70% of retail. Cheaper plastic toys generally aren't worth listing individually.
How do I recycle old toys in Australia?
Check TerraCycle for toy-specific recycling programs, and your local council for hard plastic drop-off points and bulky waste collection dates. Most kerbside recycling bins don't accept toys due to mixed materials.
Are second hand toys safe for kids?
Yes, as long as you check for damage, small parts, and recalls. Give them a clean before use. Wooden toys, silicone toys, and hard plastic toys clean up especially well. Avoid second hand toys with chipped paint or broken battery compartments.
