Kids often have a surprising way of valuing their stuff, sometimes selling things for just a penny or even less. Whether it’s old toys, clothes, or random trinkets, you might be amazed at what your kids would let go for next to nothing.
Understanding what your kids are willing to sell and why can give you insight into their priorities and how they view money. This idea can also open up opportunities for teaching them about value and saving in a simple, real-world way.
Outgrown Disney princess dresses
Your kids can quickly outgrow those Disney princess dresses. Once they don’t fit anymore, these dresses often lose value fast.
Even official or premium dresses from places like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique don’t hold up well in resale.
You might find limited buyers willing to pay much for used costumes. If you want to save money, consider buying dresses outside the parks instead, where prices are lower.
Broken LEGO sets
If your kid’s LEGO set is missing pieces or has broken parts, it usually won’t fetch much money. Most buyers want complete sets or undamaged pieces, so broken ones sell for pennies or less.
You might try to get replacements for missing bricks, but damaged sets often lose value fast. Sometimes, selling the pieces individually can help, but it usually takes a lot of time.
Faded Pokémon cards
If your kid’s Pokémon cards have seen better days, you might not get much for them. Cards with worn edges, creases, or faded colors tend to lose value quickly.
Even rare cards can drop in price if their condition is poor. So, while your kid might think they have treasure, faded cards often sell for just pennies or less. Keep them protected if you want to hold onto any worth.
Worn-out action figures
If your kids’ action figures are missing pieces or have lots of scratches, don’t expect much resale value. Collectors usually want them in good shape, so worn-out ones often sell for pennies, if at all.
You can still try listing them online, but be honest about their condition. Sometimes, they might work better as parts for other toys or for crafts.
Torn comic books
If your kid tears a comic book, it usually loses most of its value. Even a small rip can bring the price way down.
Comic shops often base offers on condition, so a torn comic might only get 10%-25% of what a perfect copy would sell for.
If you want to keep any value, try to store comics carefully to avoid more damage. Torn comics won’t fetch much, unfortunately.
Old sticker collections
You might find your kids hanging onto sticker books from the ’70s or ’80s. While some vintage stickers like those old fuzzies or scratch ‘n sniffs can catch interest, most don’t go for much these days.
Collectors tend to focus on specific brands or rare sets. If your kids’ sticker stash is just random or common ones, it likely won’t fetch more than a few cents. Keep an eye out for condition, though—damaged stickers lose value fast.
Used kids’ headphones
Your kids’ headphones often lose value fast, especially once they’re used. Kids tend to outgrow them or get new ones with better features.
Many used kids’ headphones sell for just a few dollars or less. Damage, wear, or outdated designs make them less appealing to buyers.
If you want to sell, expect low offers. Investing in high-quality or newer models might keep some resale value, but most will still go for pennies.
Chipped toy cars
If your kid’s toy cars have chipped paint or scratches, they usually lose a lot of value. Most buyers want toys that look decent or better, so worn-out cars often get passed over.
You might find that chipped toys end up in bargain bins or get sold for just pennies. It’s tough to get more unless the car is rare or has some special feature.
Unwanted Barbie dolls
If your kids have old Barbie dolls, don’t expect them to sell for much. Many get sold for just a few dollars or less.
Unless the doll is vintage or rare, most Barbies won’t be worth much on places like eBay.
Your kids might even sell them for pennies if they’re damaged or incomplete. It’s common for parents to find their childhood Barbies gone with little value left behind.
Dented lunch boxes
If your kid’s lunch box has dents or scratches, expect it to sell for very little. These metal lunch boxes lose value quickly once damaged.
Even if it’s a vintage piece, dents usually mean it’s not worth more than a few pennies. You might find it hard to sell unless it’s in near-mint condition.
For everyday use, you could keep it, but don’t expect much if you try to resell it later.
Tangled friendship bracelets
Your kids might trade or sell Tangled-themed friendship bracelets for just a few pennies. These bracelets often feature small charms and colorful beads inspired by the movie.
They’re popular at parties and among friends, but because they’re small and easily made, they don’t hold much resale value. Expect your child to part with them quickly for a low price.
Scratched kids’ DVDs
If your kids have scratched DVDs, don’t expect to get much for them. These discs usually sell for pennies or less because buyers worry about playback issues.
Scratches don’t harm the DVD player, but they can cause the movie to skip or freeze. Most people prefer DVDs in good condition, so damaged ones lose value fast.
Still, you might find some secondhand buyers willing to take them cheap, especially if the movies are hard to find or Disney titles.