At what age do you feel is appropriate to involve your kids in helping out with the family garage sale? What tasks best suit them?
We spoke with both parents and yard sale experts to get their feedback and insights. Here’s what they had to say:
Stacy Ross, founder of San Diego Bargain Mama says kids age four and up are typically at the right age to both attend and participate with a family yard sale. “Tasks that have them feel very included or being in charge of things like snacks and drinks for sale with their own small table. Stacy also says, “Have the kids price their own items with your recommendations and encourage them to talk to the kids who arrive and show them what they might like to buy.”
“By the age of five, children should be old enough to lend a hand, says Andrew Schrage of Money Crashers. “By that age, they are typically responsible enough to help clean up, greet customers, and direct buyers who have questions to the parents. When the yard sale has finished, they can help with cleaning and repackaging unsold items. They can also help out beforehand by going through their own items, such as clothing and toys, and selecting things that they’ve outgrown. These items can be displayed in an area that they are responsible for, which gives the child a sense of ownership and salesmanship.”
Helaine Fendelman says, “Involve your kids by having them help prepare refreshments such as cookies and lemonade to sell.” “Encourage them to price and sell their own items.”
“Children as young as five can help tag items, make signs and set up the “store,” says Joanne Rinaldi, a Certified Professional Organizer with Neat Freaks Professional Organizing LLC.
Everyone agrees that kids have great talent when it comes to coloring and adding their creativity to your yard sale signs and helping to hang signs. Be sure to explain to your children throughout the yard sale process the benefits of having a sale, not just for your family but for others as well. Help kids realize that this can be a fun effort and is like running a basic business for a couple days. Kids will really get into it if you help make it fun and help them realize what they can get out of the experience.
Have you involved your kids with a recent family yard sale or do you plan to this summer? Share your tips and experiences with us by commenting below!