Just so you know, What to Expect may earn commissions from the shopping links included on this page. All sales and prices are accurate at the time of publishing.

Got a car seat or two collecting dust? Great news: the annual Target Car Seat Trade-In event has begun! From now until September 28, you can trade in an old car seat or base and receive a 20% off coupon toward baby gear like strollers, high chairs or even another car seat. If your little one is ready to transition out of their infant car seat, I highly recommend taking advantage of this offer.

To snag the 20% off coupon, simply drop off your old car seat in a designated box near Guest Services at your local Target. Afterward, scan the nearby QR code to receive the Target Circle Bonus. This bonus, valid for two uses until October 12, can be applied to both in-store and online purchases.

Now, depending on what you decide to buy, you can make that 20% coupon really work in your favor—especially since it can be used twice and combined with other discounts. You don’t want to waste it on something you could have gotten cheaper elsewhere! That’s where I come in. Using my knowledge of the latest baby deals and my personal experience with baby gear, I’m here to help you stretch that discount. I’ve scoured Target’s wide range of eligible baby items, compared prices with other retailers, and reflected on my personal experience with each item. The result? The eight best items to buy with your Target Car Seat Trade-In coupon. 

A stroller to take you from 1 newborn to 2 toddlers

Mockingbird Single-To-Double Stroller 2.0

$450 $324 w/ coupon See More
Available at Target

Deemed the Best Stroller by What to Expect, the Mockingbird Single-To-Double Stroller 2.0 has all the bells and whistles of its luxe counterparts for a fraction of the cost. I’ve tried many strollers and found that the Mockingbird has the smoothest ride, even on the bumpiest surfaces. It’s also one of the easiest to convert from a single to a double, thanks to the intuitive 2nd Seat Kit. It can even become a triple stroller with the Riding Board. The Mockingbird stroller rarely goes on sale, so being able to use your 20% coupon on top of its discounted price is a true win.

An award-winning car seat

Graco’s 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

$300 $192 w/ coupon See More
Available at Target

If you’re transitioning your baby out of an infant seat, I recommend Graco’s 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat. Voted Best Convertible Car Seat in the annual Mom Must-Have Awards, its four-in-one design means you can use it as a rear-facing car seat (from 4 to 40 pounds), forward-facing car seat (from 22 to 65 pounds), high-back booster seat (from 40 to 100 pounds), and backless booster seat (from 40 to 120 pounds). But its longevity isn’t the only reason this car seat is a winner. It’s easy to install and adjust, and it's made from highly durable material.

Another Good Buy: The Britax One4Life ClickTight All-In-One Convertible Car Seat is another favorite car seat among What to Expect staff and community members. It’s already marked down from $350 to $245, and with your Car Seat Trade-In discount, you can knock that price down to under $200! 

The easiest playard to assemble

Graco Pack ‘n Play

$60 $38.40 w/ coupon See More
Available at Target

The best baby item I bought: the Graco Pack ‘n Play. I’ve used this for over two years, both as a contained play space when my daughter was a baby and a travel crib into her toddler years. It’s easy to set up (my mom can do so without help!) and takes up little space when it’s assembled or in storage. 

Another Good Buy: Graco offers an extensive line of playards, including its Care Suite Playard. It has all the features of the standard Pack ‘n Play, as well as bassinet and changing table. It’s currently 15% off, but with the added 20% discount, you can take the price from $150 to just under $103. 

A (very) rare high chair sale

Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair

$299 $239.20 w/ coupon See More
Available at Target

If your child is about to start solids, you’ll want to get a high chair ASAP. My personal recommendation: the Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair. With its chic design and sleek silhouette, the Tripp Trapp blends seamlessly into your dining setup. Not to mention, it’s designed to provide proper side and back support to maximize your child’s comfort. The Tripp Trapp can also be used well into adulthood, thanks to its multiple seating modes. This longevity justifies the high price tag of this rarely-on-sale chair, so saving 20% on it is a big win!

Another Good Buy: Voted Best High Chair in the Mom Must-Have Awards, the Graco Table 2 Table Premier High Chair is another convertible high chair that takes your child from infancy to toddlerhood. It’s already marked down from $200 to $160, and your 20% off coupon will take the price down to $128. 

The minivan of stroller wagons 

Evenflo Pivot Xplore

$320 $256 w/ coupon See More
Available at Target

Perfect for kids who've outgrown their strollers but still can’t handle long walks, stroller wagons let parents easily transport children (and their gear) over long distances. The Evenflo Pivot Xplore is the best of the bunch. With all-terrain tires and a three-position telescoping handle, it’s incredibly easy to maneuver on any surface. It's spacious enough to provide two toddlers with plenty of legroom, yet it folds down to the size of a single stroller, making it easy to store.

The best bouncer for small spaces

Maxi-Cosi Kori 2-in-1 Rocker

$140 $112 w/ coupon See More
Available at Target

With a base measuring 19.5 by 16.75 inches, the Maxi-Cosi Kori 2-in-1 Rocker is perfect for families looking to save space. But that’s not the only reason I love it. The stylish seat offers multiple modes, converting from a rocker to a stationary seat. It's also incredibly easy to adjust the height and even easier to operate, allowing you to free up your hands while still soothing your baby.

A double-duty swing

Graco DuetSoothe Swing and Rocker

$190 $121.60 w/ coupon See More
Available at Target

I love a versatile device, and the Graco DuetSoothe Swing and Rocker is one of the best. As a swing, it offers three positions, a vibration function, music, nature sounds, and an engaging overhead mobile. You can also detach the seat and use it as a rocker, which is easy to carry from room to room thanks to its handle. Since some babies prefer swings while others like rockers, this flexibility helps you figure out what your baby prefers — and stick with it!

An affordable travel system

Evenflo Pivot Travel System

$320 $204.80 w/ coupon See More
Available at Target

Welcoming another baby? Consider upgrading to an Evenflo car seat and stroller. The Evenflo Pivot Travel System, combined with the LiteMax Infant Car Seat, offers a smooth ride and six different modes of use. You can easily configure the stroller seat to be front- or rear-facing, depending on your preferences. This flexibility extends to the infant car seat, toddler seat, and newborn bassinet. It also comes with several nice-to-have features, such as a parent cup holder, a bumper with snack tray, and a large undercarriage storage basket.


FAQ

To take advantage of the Target Car Seat Trade-In, bring your old car seat to your local Target. (I recommend calling ahead to make sure they’re participating.) Once there, place your car seat in the designated box near Guest Services. Afterward, scan the nearby QR code to receive the Target Circle Bonus in your Target app.

Just about any car seat is eligible for the Target Car Seat Trade-In. The retailer will accept infant car seats, convertible car seats, car seat bases, harness or booster car seats. Target will also accept expired or damaged car seats, as the purpose of the event is to properly recycle car seat material.