Target Car Seat Trade-In 2026: Dates & How to Get 20% Off

If you’ve got a car seat gathering dust in the garage, you’re not alone—millions of parents hold onto expired or outgrown seats simply because proper disposal feels like a hassle. Target has been solving that problem for a decade now, and its 2026 spring trade-in event gives you a solid reason to finally clear it out while scoring 20% off your next purchase. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of the April 19–May 2 window.

Discount Offered: 20% off Target Circle Bonus ·
Eligible Trade-Ins: Old car seats and bases ·
Reward Applies To: New car seats, strollers, select baby gear ·
2026 Event Dates: April 19 – May 2 ·
Coupon Validity: Typically 2 weeks

Here are the key details governing this trade-in cycle.

What month is Target’s car seat trade-in?

Target runs its car seat trade-in events twice yearly, with the spring edition landing in April or May and the fall edition typically arriving in September or October. The pattern has held since 2016, when the retailer launched the program as a way to divert expired and outgrown seats from landfills.

Spring event dates

The 2026 spring trade-in event runs from April 19 through May 2, with the redemption window extending until May 16 for those who want to shop the coupon after the event closes. Select stores will host special family-friendly activities on April 25–26 to mark the program’s 10-year milestone. (Target Corporate)

Typical schedule

Based on prior years, the fall 2026 event is predicted to run September 20 through October 3, though this hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. The spring event tends to run slightly longer than the fall edition—the 2026 spring spans 14 days compared to the 2024 fall’s 10-day window. (The Krazy Coupon Lady)

The implication: if the spring window slips past early May, you may still catch the coupon redemption deadline, but the trade-in portion closes on May 2.

What car seats are eligible for trade-in?

Target accepts virtually any car seat for trade-in, regardless of brand, condition, or expiration status. That includes infant seats, convertible seats, combination seats, and car seat bases—even if they’re damaged, outgrown, or have been involved in a crash. (Target Official FAQ)

Expired seats

Most car seats have an expiration date stamped on the label, typically 6–10 years from the manufacture date. An expired seat may no longer meet current safety standards, which is exactly why Target’s event encourages parents to retire them rather than hand them down. (Consumer Reports)

Damaged seats

Seats with cracks, frayed harnesses, or missing parts are accepted as-is. There’s no requirement to cut straps or remove fabric covers before dropping them off. However, safety experts strongly recommend replacing any seat that has been in a crash—even a low-speed parking lot bump can cause invisible structural damage that compromises the seat’s ability to protect a child in a future collision. (Safe in the Seat)

The pattern: the looser the eligibility rules, the more seats get diverted from improper disposal—and that’s the whole point of the program.

How do I prepare items for Target trade-in?

Preparation is minimal. Unlike some recycling programs that require disassembly or component separation, Target’s trade-in accepts car seats and bases as-is. You don’t need to remove fabric covers, cut straps, or take anything apart. (The Car Seat Pros)

Remove fabric

Technically optional but helpful: if you want to repurpose the fabric covers for a DIY project, you can remove them—but the event workers will handle seats with covers intact. Just make sure all loose items like toys or inserts are cleared out of the seat.

Check for recalls

Before dropping off, check whether your seat has an open recall using the NHTSA recall database or the manufacturer’s website. A recalled seat that hasn’t been repaired should not be reused, making the trade-in event an ideal disposal path. (Consumer Reports)

How does the trade-in process work?

The process is straightforward: bring your old car seat or base to a participating Target store, locate the drop-off box near Guest Services or at the store entrance, and scan the QR code to add the coupon to your Target Circle account. (Target Corporate)

In-store steps

Walk in with your car seat, tell a team member at Guest Services that you’re participating in the trade-in event, and they will direct you to the drop-off box. No purchase is required to drop off a seat. The QR code on the box links directly to the Target app where your 20% Circle bonus loads into your Wallet. (Consumer Reports)

Receive coupon

The 20% off coupon applies to new car seats, strollers, travel systems, and select baby gear at Target. You need an active Target Circle account to receive it—sign up for free through the Target app if you don’t have one. The coupon is valid for redemption from April 19 through May 16, 2026, and can be used across two separate transactions. (The Krazy Coupon Lady)

The catch: one coupon per Target Circle account, so trading in five seats still gets you one discount. The workaround is having each household member with a separate account claim their own coupon.

How much does Target give you for old car seats?

Target doesn’t pay cash for trade-ins. Instead, the value comes as a 20% Target Circle bonus that lowers the price of your next qualifying purchase. For a new car seat priced at $200, that saves you $40—roughly the cost of an infant insert or travel bag you might have bought anyway. (Safe in the Seat)

Discount value

The 20% applies to the full pre-tax total of eligible items. The coupon stacks with other Target offers, meaning you can combine it with a sale price or a registry completion discount if applicable. (BabyList)

Usage limits

Each Target Circle account earns one 20% off coupon per trade-in event, regardless of how many seats you bring in. The coupon can be redeemed twice across separate transactions, but the $200 cap on maximum savings referenced in prior events no longer applies—there’s no stated ceiling on the discount amount. (The Krazy Coupon Lady)

Step-by-step participation guide

Three steps separate you from a 20% discount and a properly recycled car seat.

Target car seat trade-in timeline

The milestones below track the program’s growth from its 2016 launch through the 2026 spring event.

The pattern: spring events have consistently run 14 days while fall events run 10 days, and the coupon redemption window adds roughly two weeks after the trade-in period closes.

Confirmed facts vs. rumors

Most details about the 2026 event are officially confirmed through Target’s corporate announcement and the official FAQ page. A few details remain unverified.

What experts and parents say

“If your car seat has been in any crash, even a low-speed parking lot bump, it should not be reused.”

— Safe in the Seat (Child Passenger Safety Expert)

“Target will accept and recycle all types of car seats, including: infant car seats, convertible car seats, car seat bases, and more.”

— Target Official FAQ

“Come in with your car seat, tell them you’re trading it in and they will take it, give you the discount—it’s that simple.”

— Parent participant (via BabyList community)

“The spring 2026 event runs from April 19 to May 2, 2026, and offers a 20 percent discount.”

— Consumer Reports (Consumer Safety Advocate)

Summary

For parents with an expired or outgrown car seat, the Target trade-in event remains one of the simplest ways to do right by safety and your budget simultaneously. The April 19–May 2 window gives most families a two-week runway, and the May 16 coupon expiration adds a grace period for those who miss the trade-in deadline. The 10-year milestone confirms this isn’t a one-off promotion—it’s now a reliable twice-yearly ritual. Parents who act during this spring window will get the longest redemption period available, making it the optimal time to clear out that old seat and stock up on what their child actually needs.

Related reading: Target Circle Card Login

After completing Target’s car seat trade-in for your 20% discount, shoppers can explore the best toddler car seats 2025 to select top-rated safety options for young children.

Frequently asked questions