Trade in Your Old Car Seat at Target for 20% Off Kid Gear

What Car Shoppers Need to Know

• Target’s car-seat trade-in event runs from April 19 through May 2.
• Trade in your used car seat for 20% off a new one or other baby gear.
• Target car-seat trade-in events typically happen every spring and fall.

Kids don’t outgrow car seats as quickly as they do clothes and shoes, but parents still need to upgrade to a new seat from time to time. That means they’ll have to spend a few hundred dollars more often than they would like. That’s where Target’s car-seat trade-in events come in: Parents can drop off their old seat for recycling and receive a coupon for 20% off their next car seat or select other kid gear.

Related: This Toyota Sedan Fits Car Seats Better Than Toyota’s Entry-Level SUV

When Is Target’s Trade-in Event?

Target’s next car-seat trade-in event starts Sunday, April 19, and runs through Saturday, May 2. They are semi-regular events that typically happen each spring and fall.

How Does It Work?

The trade-in events are simple: Just take your used car seat to a local Target, drop it in a box near the Guest Services counter, and scan the barcode on the box with your phone. You’ll need to download Target’s app to receive the coupon. You can then take 20% off qualifying baby and kid accoutrements twice until May 16.

How Do I Know Which Car Seat I Should Buy?

The type of car seat that’s best for your child depends on their age, height and weight. Rear-facing seats are typically best from birth until three years, or until your child exceeds the height or weight limit of their seat. At that point, they graduate to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether. Again, they should stay in this seat until they exceed the height or weight limit, usually when they are between four and seven years old.

Once they outgrow the forward-facing seat, children should use a booster seat until they are tall enough for the seat belt to fit properly. Proper fitment means the lap belt lies across their upper thighs — not their stomach — and the shoulder belt crosses their shoulder and chest, not their neck or face. For in-depth details on determining the right seat for your child, check out NHTSA’s guide to child car seats.

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