Toy and Halloween Costume Swap in Ottawa-Gatineau

A firefighter costume worn for one night. A bin of blocks nobody opens anymore. A snowsuit that got too short in a single winter. Kids outgrow their things far faster than they wear them out. A toy swap, for costumes and clothes too, is the simplest way to keep all of it moving between families in Ottawa and Gatineau, instead of buying new every season.

Here's how to swap, what to check before you pass something on to another parent, and how to do it on UpChansa, for free.

Why swap instead of buying new

• One closet empties, another fills, in a single meetup.
• What's worth little to resell is worth a lot to the parent looking for exactly that size, theme or game.
• No money has to change hands. You leave with what you need, not with a few dollars.
• Nothing ends up in the trash while it still has use left in it.

And if you just want the space back, giving it away works too. More on that below.

Halloween costumes: swap before October 31

A costume gets one night, maybe two. Next year it's too small, or your kid wants to be something else. That makes it the perfect thing to trade, but timing matters: a proposal that shows up on October 30 shows up too late.

• Post early, ideally by mid-October, so other parents have time to see it and you have time to meet.
• Complete costumes only: hat, cape, wings, accessories, all in the same bag.
• Washed, with no stains, no split seams and no broken zippers.
• Put the size in the title, because it's the first thing a parent looks for: "Dragon costume, size 4-5".
• Say what you want in return in the "What are you looking for? (optional)" field: "costume size 6-7, any theme".

If you were searching for used Halloween costumes for kids near you, this is the other half of the answer: list the one your child has outgrown, and you become someone another parent can trade with.

Toys: what swaps well, and what doesn't

What goes fast:

• board games and puzzles that are complete (count the pieces, it takes five minutes);
• blocks, figures, vehicles and wooden toys;
• children's books in good shape;
• battery toys that work, tested before you post them.

What goes to recycling instead:

• broken toys, or toys that no longer work;
• games with missing pieces;
• toys that are scribbled on, sticky or stained.

Those are the rules most community toy swaps use, and they're simple courtesy toward the family on the receiving end. One clear photo of everything in the box, plus the recommended age in the description, saves a lot of back-and-forth.

Outgrown clothes and gear

Kids' clothes trade best as a bundle, by size: "Size 2 bundle, 12 pieces, fall and winter". A parent would rather make one trip that covers a whole season than five trips for five sweaters.

• Group by size and season: snowsuit, boots, mittens, toques.
• Wash, fold, and photograph the bundle laid out, not in a pile.
• Check drawstrings on hoods and necklines (see the safety section).

For car seats, cribs and baby gear, read the safety section first: some of the rules are strict.

How to swap on UpChansa, step by step

Let's be clear up front: a swap happens between two listings. To offer your costume for another parent's, your costume has to be listed. That's free and takes a few minutes.

1. List the item your child has outgrown, with photos and the size in the title.
2. Tick "Open to exchange" on the form (or later, by editing the listing).
3. Fill in "What are you looking for? (optional)": the size, theme or kind of toy you want.
4. On another parent's listing that's open to trades, click Make an offer, then switch to the Exchange tab.
5. Under What you're offering, pick one of your own active listings.
6. Choose the Cash top-up: Straight swap, I add cash or They add cash, then Propose exchange.

The other parent accepts, declines, or counters on the top-up. If nobody has posted your size yet, list yours anyway and say what you're after: that's often how the right proposal shows up.

Just want to give it away? Tick "Free / donation": the listing shows "Free", nobody can send you a cash offer, and you choose who gets it.

All the details, with screenshots, are in the Exchange an item guide and in our post on trading items on UpChansa.

Safety: what you can't sell or give away

In Canada, consumer product safety laws don't distinguish between new and used products, and they apply to anyone who gives away an item, not just to people who sell (Health Canada, guide to second-hand products).

It's illegal to sell or give away, among others (Buying second-hand products):

• baby walkers;
• traditional drop-side cribs;
• infant self-feeding devices;
• inclined infant sleep products;
• polycarbonate baby bottles that contain BPA;
• yo-yo balls and balloon blowing kits.

Before you pass anything on, make sure it hasn't been recalled (look it up on Recalls and safety alerts) and that no essential parts are missing.

• Car seats: they need the National Safety Mark, must never have been in a vehicle during a collision, and must not be under a recall. Check the expiry date. If you don't know the seat's history, don't pass it on (second-hand car seats).
• Drawstrings: kids' outerwear tops, newborn to size 12, should have no drawstrings in the hood or neck area (Health Canada notice).
• Costumes: go for nylon or heavyweight polyester, which are less likely to catch fire. "Flame resistant" doesn't mean fireproof. Face paint beats a mask, and reflective tape helps kids be seen after dark (Halloween safety).

UpChansa doesn't inspect items: the person who posts is responsible for what they pass on to another family.

Meeting safely

• Pick a busy public place in daylight. The Ottawa Police Service offers Safe Trade Zones.
• Check both items on the spot: unfold the clothes, try the costume on if you can, test the toy.
• If there's a cash top-up, count it before you leave.
• You never have to go through with a trade. If something feels off, walk away.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find used Halloween costumes for kids near me?

Some organizations and libraries run costume swaps in the fall, on set dates. On UpChansa you can swap any time: list the costume your child has outgrown, tick "Open to exchange", and say which size you need.

How does a toy swap work?

Each parent lists their item, at least one of the two listings is open to trades, and one parent offers their listing for the other's. You agree on any cash top-up, then meet up to make the swap.

Where can I sell used toys and kids' clothes?

You can list them on UpChansa for free, at a price, as free, or open to trades, and there's no commission. Whatever you sell or give away has to meet current safety requirements: not recalled, complete, and not on the banned list.

Can I sell a used car seat or crib in Canada?

A traditional drop-side crib, no: it's illegal to sell or give one away. Any other crib or car seat has to meet current requirements, and Health Canada advises against using a car seat whose history you don't know. When in doubt, don't pass it on.

What costume fabrics are least flammable?

Health Canada recommends nylon or heavyweight polyester. A "flame resistant" label doesn't mean fireproof, so keep kids away from candles and lit jack-o'-lanterns.

Is swapping free on UpChansa?

Yes. Posting is free, swapping is free, and UpChansa takes no commission. If there's a cash top-up, it's settled directly between the two of you.

Your turn

Go through the closets and the toy box. List what's been outgrown, tick "Open to exchange", and say what you're looking for. Live nearby? See everything you can buy, sell, swap or give away across Ottawa-Gatineau.

Post your outgrown costume, open to exchange · Step-by-step: Exchange an item