Target's Car Seat Trade-In Event Is Back. Here's How to Make the Most of It.
Hint: It’s not just about car seats. Parents can save 20 percent on CR Recommended strollers, monitors, and high chairs, too.
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Good news if you’re shopping for a new child car seat—you can save money with Target’s Car Seat Trade-In Event. The event runs from April 27 to May 10, 2025, and offers a 20 percent discount on car seats, strollers, and select baby gear when you trade in an old car seat.
Target says it has recycled more than 3 million car seats it has received through the trade-in program since its start in 2016.
Here’s how to make the most of the event to maximize your savings.
How to Trade in Your Old Car Seat for a Discount
If you don’t already have it, download Target’s Circle app. Drop your donated car seat into the designated box at a Target store, and scan the redemption code on the box with the Target app. Your bonus shows up in the Wallet section of your Target app, and you have until May 24, 2025, to use it.
Here’s what you might not already know about this popular savings event: The discount can be used on qualifying purchases both in-store and online, and can be redeemed twice—plus you can combine it with other offers like promo codes and coupons.
Qualifying baby gear includes not just car seats but also strollers, stroller wagons, travel systems, travel cribs, and high chairs. Because you can use your discount twice, you can upgrade to a new car seat while saving on a new stroller, too. The discount excludes items sold and shipped by Target Plus and clearance.
Pro tip: No seat to trade in for recycling? You might be able to find one in your community by checking local Give Freely or Buy Nothing groups online.
When to Trade in Your Old Car Seat
Not sure whether you should upgrade your child’s car seat? It’s time to purchase a new one if your seat is expired or damaged, or if your child has outgrown it, says Emily Thomas, PhD, auto safety manager at Consumer Reports and mom of two young boys. Emily has participated in the trade-in event herself to recycle an older seat and used the discount to buy an additional car seat for her husband’s car.
Here, Emily explains exactly how to know when it’s time to upgrade your car seat:
CR Recommended Picks to Save On With a Trade-In
Our car seat ratings and buying guide can help you pick the best for your family. CR members can also access recommendations on baby gear, from strollers to high chairs. Here are some of our top picks in every category, all available on Target’s website at the time of publication.
