Old Car Seat Trade In: How Target’s 2026 Event Works
I have taken advantage of Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Event more than once over the years, and it's totally one of those parenting deals that is actually worth putting on your calendar.
When my kids were younger, it was an easy way to clear one of the old infant car seats or old travel systems out of the garage and put the savings toward whatever seat or new products we needed next. And Target makes the whole thing refreshingly painless: bring the old seat into the Target store, find the drop-off boxes in the designated drop-off area, open the Target app, scan the QR code, and go.
No trying to figure out what to do with a giant expired old seats. No hauling it back home. And you get a discount toward new baby gear in the process.
Good news: the Target Car Seat Trade-In Event is officially back for fall 2026.
When Is the Next Car Seat Trade-in Event at Target?
This fall’s event runs now through October 3, 2026.
Trade in an old car seat during the event and you can receive a 20% off Target Circle Bonus toward a new baby gear purchase. (Just make sure you're a Target Circle member already!)
That makes this an especially good time to upgrade an infant car seat, convertible car seat or booster seat—or shop for other baby gear you already know is on your list.
How Does the Old Carseat Trade in Work?
The process is pretty simple:
Bring your unwanted car seat to a participating store. Look for the designated car seat trade-in area or ask Guest Services where to find it.
Open your Target app. Make sure you're signed into your Target Circle account.
Scan the QR code at the drop-off. This adds the 20% Target Circle Bonus to your account.
Drop off your old seat and shop. Use your bonus toward an eligible new baby gear purchase.
CITYMOM TIP: Don't wait until you're standing inside Target to download the app or figure out your login. Get your Target Circle account ready before you leave home so the actual trade-in takes about two minutes.
What Old Car Seats Can You Trade In?
This is the part parents often overthink.
If you have an old, unwanted or expired and used car seat taking up space, the trade-in event is worth checking before you throw it away. That can include the car seats and/or car seat bases your family has outgrown as you move from infant seats to convertible car seats and even booster car seats.
It's also the perfect opportunity to check the expiration date on the seats currently sitting in your car, garage or storage. If you're unsure whether a seat should still be used, check the manufacturer's instructions and labeling before passing it along to someone else.
KIDS REALLY DO GROW OUT OF EVERYTHING SO QUICKLY…
Before You Use That 20% Off: Shop Strategically
Here's where I really like to take advantage of the event.
Don't automatically buy the first new car seat you see just because you have a coupon. Decide what stage your child is moving into, compare the seats you're considering and check Target's current sale prices first.
Target is also advertising up to 20% off select baby gear (including baby home gear!) during the current promotion, so it's worth checking which offers can be combined with your trade-in bonus and reading the individual offer restrictions before checking out. Target notes that promotions, pricing and availability can vary by location and online.
In other words: the trade-in is the deal. Knowing what you're shopping for before you get there is how you make the deal really work for you.
What Other Retailers or Brands Offer an Old Carseat Trade In?
Target is by far the most popular of all these expired car seat trade in events.
The Walmart car seat recycling program ended in 2019 after hitting its goal of 1 million collected car seats.
Meijer Stores (primarily located in the Midwest) offers an annual Spring Trade-in Collection.
Terracycle is a great resource for other ways to recycle carseats.
