Kids' Toys at Bin Stores: What Parents Should Know
Bin stores can be a treasure trove of kids' toys at amazing prices. Here's what parents need to know about safety, selection, and getting the best deals.
Why Families Love Bin Stores for Toys
Children's toys are expensive — and kids' tastes change fast. A toy that consumed your child's attention for three months ends up in a closet, and meanwhile, the next must-have item has already arrived. Bin stores offer a meaningful solution to this cycle: brand-name toys at a fraction of retail, often in excellent or even brand-new condition.
Parents who shop bin stores regularly report saving hundreds of dollars per year on toys. Birthday gifts, holiday presents, everyday play items, and educational supplies all flow through the liquidation system and into bin stores. Here's how to shop this category smartly.
What Kinds of Toys Show Up in Bins
The toy category at bin stores mirrors what's popular at retail — with some lag, as popular items sell through faster at the original retailer before becoming returns. Common finds include:
Action figures and character playsets (Marvel, Star Wars, Disney)
Building sets (LEGO and similar brands)
Board games and card games
Arts and crafts kits (painting, slime, jewelry making)
Dolls and accessories
Remote-controlled vehicles
Outdoor toys (frisbees, jump ropes, water balloons)
STEM toys (coding kits, science experiments, building challenges)
Baby and toddler toys (rattles, shape sorters, soft toys)
Puzzles
Brand-name items — Hasbro, Mattel, Fisher-Price, LEGO, Melissa & Doug — appear regularly. The quality of finds varies day to day, but toys are consistently one of the best categories at most bin stores.
Safety First: What Parents Must Check
Unlike clothing or kitchen items, toys require specific safety scrutiny, especially for younger children.
Check for Age Warnings
Toys with small parts (rating: not for children under 3) should not be purchased for toddlers or babies regardless of how appealing they look. The choking hazard is real and non-negotiable.
Inspect for Damage
Broken plastic can create sharp edges. Check that hard plastic components are intact. Look for exposed wires on electronic toys. Anything that looks structurally compromised should be left behind.
Test Electronics When Possible
Battery-powered toys should be tested if at all possible. Bring a pack of AA and AAA batteries to the store (or ask if the store has a test station) to verify electronic toys function before buying.
Check for Recalls
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a database of recalled toys at cpsc.gov. If you're unsure about a specific item, you can check the model online before buying. This is especially relevant for older items that may predate safety standard updates.
Baby and Infant Toys
Exercise extra caution with toys intended for infants. Soft toys should have no loose parts or attachments that could detach. Check that stitching is tight and there are no choking hazards sewn in.
Complete Sets: The Big Challenge
The most common issue with bin store toys is missing pieces. A 500-piece LEGO set returned with 50 pieces missing is still fun, but it's not the set advertised on the box. Board games are often missing dice, cards, or tokens that make play impossible.
Strategies for Dealing with Incomplete Sets
Open and check: Many stores allow you to open boxes to verify contents. Take the time to do this for games and building sets.
Price it accordingly: If a game is missing minor components you don't care about, the bin price might still make it worthwhile.
Find pieces online: LEGO sells replacement parts through its website. Replacement dice and game cards are available cheaply on eBay.
Buy for parts or pieces: Sometimes a partial set is still valuable for mixing with existing toy collections.
Best Value Toy Categories at Bin Stores
Lowest Risk (usually complete and functional):
Outdoor play items (balls, jump ropes, yard games)
Arts and crafts supplies
Simple dolls and action figures (no pieces to lose)
Books
Moderate Risk (worth checking carefully):
Electronic toys (test before buying)
Small playsets with figures
Science kits
Higher Risk (inspect thoroughly):
Board games (missing pieces common)
Large building sets
Remote-controlled items (test electronics, check remote is included)
Toys as Gifts: Timing and Planning
Many parents use bin stores strategically for birthday and holiday shopping. This works especially well if you:
Shop throughout the year and store gifts for upcoming occasions
Are flexible about exactly which toy — you take what you find rather than hunting for a specific item
Have children whose age ranges align with the most common toy categories (ages 3–12 tend to be best served by bin store inventory)
Reselling Toys from Bin Stores
Toys are a popular reseller category, especially around the holiday season. Brand-new, sealed toys that are popular or in short supply can be resold at retail or above. Older "vintage" toys and collectibles have dedicated buyer communities on eBay and Mercari.
For toys intended for resale, prioritize:
Items that are sealed or complete
Popular current brands and franchises
LEGO sets (always in demand, always hold value)
Anything related to current movies, shows, or trends