Last updated: August 2026
Target’s spring 2026 car seat trade-in already ran from April 19 through May 2, 2026, with the coupon usable through May 16. The fall 2026 event is expected in September, though Target hasn’t published the exact dates yet. Either way, parents can trade in an old car seat for a 20% Target Circle bonus toward a new one.
If you searched for the Target car seat trade-in 2025 last year, you already know how this program works. It’s back for 2026, and this guide covers the real dates, how the trade-in process actually works today, and what’s changed since last year.
What Is the Target Car Seat Trade-In Program?
Target runs this event to help parents get rid of old car seats the right way. Car seats are built from plastic, foam, fabric, and metal, so they can’t just go in the regular trash. Instead of ending up in a landfill, Target collects the seats and recycles the materials into new products.
Target has run this trade-in event since April 2016, and the impact has added up. Over the past decade, the program has kept more than 58 million pounds of material out of landfills, and the recycled resin has gone into more than 690,000 Brightroom and Room Essentials home products sold in Target stores.
Target Car Seat Trade-In 2026: The Actual Dates
Here’s what’s confirmed and what’s still expected for 2026:
- Spring 2026 (already happened): April 19 – May 2, 2026, with the 20% coupon redeemable through May 16, 2026.
- Fall 2026 (expected, not yet officially confirmed): Most retail trackers expect the event sometime in September 2026, based on the pattern from recent years — the 2025 fall event ran September 21 to October 4, and 2024’s ran September 15 to 28.
If the spring window already passed and a fall date hasn’t been announced yet on Target’s own trade-in page, it’s worth checking back in late August, since Target typically confirms fall dates a few weeks ahead of the event.
What Changed Since the 2025 Trade-In
A couple of details are worth knowing if the last time you traded in a seat was back in 2025:
- The reward is now officially called a Target Circle bonus rather than a plain coupon, and it requires a free Target Circle account to claim, not just the Target app.
- The 2026 spring coupon was redeemable twice during its active window, so a single trade-in could cover two separate purchases instead of one.
- Target has kept the program running twice a year (spring and fall) after some inconsistency in past years, including a skipped fall event in 2023.
Why the Program Matters
Car seats don’t last forever. Most expire within 7 to 10 years, according to guidance from car seat maker Graco, since materials weaken with age and repeated exposure to heat and cold inside a parked car. Older seats also miss newer safety updates that current models include. Trading one in through Target means it gets recycled responsibly instead of sitting in a garage or ending up in the trash, where the plastic and metal would otherwise take decades to break down.
What Do Parents Get in Return?
Trading in a car seat earns a 20% Target Circle bonus, which can go toward a new car seat, stroller, travel system, or other select baby gear, both in stores and online. The bonus doesn’t have to be used immediately either — it stays valid for a couple of weeks after the event ends, giving families time to shop around before deciding.
How the Trade-In Works in 2026
The process is still simple, though it now runs through Target Circle instead of a plain app scan:
- Join Target Circle first, since it’s free and required to claim the bonus.
- Bring an old, expired, damaged, or even outgrown car seat to a participating Target store.
- Drop it in the recycling box, usually near Guest Services.
- Scan the box using the Target app to receive the Circle bonus.
- Use the bonus in-store or online on eligible baby gear.
What Types of Car Seats Are Accepted?
Target accepts:
- Infant car seats
- Convertible car seats
- Car seat bases
- Booster and harness seats
Condition doesn’t matter. Expired, cracked, or even a seat that’s been in a car accident can still be dropped off, since everything gets broken down for recycling regardless of its state.
Tips to Prepare for the Next Event
- Check expiration labels first. Most seats list an expiration date directly on the shell, usually 6 to 10 years from manufacture.
- Round up every old seat in the house. Multiple seats can usually be traded in during the same visit.
- Set up Target Circle ahead of time. Doing this before heading to the store avoids fumbling with account setup while holding a car seat at Guest Services.
- Decide what to buy in advance. Popular brands like Graco, Chicco, Baby Jogger, and Evenflo tend to sell out quickly once the bonus applies, so having a shortlist ready helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: When is the Target car seat trade-in 2026? The spring 2026 event ran April 19 through May 2, with the coupon usable through May 16. The fall 2026 event is expected in September, though Target hasn’t confirmed exact dates yet.
Q2: What discount does Target give during the trade-in? A 20% Target Circle bonus toward a new car seat, stroller, or select baby gear, redeemable twice during the recent spring event.
Q3: What types of car seats can be traded in? Infant seats, convertible seats, bases, and booster seats, whether they’re expired, damaged, or simply outgrown.
Q4: How do I redeem the bonus? Drop the old seat in the recycling box at a participating store, then scan it using the Target app tied to a free Target Circle account.
Q5: Why does Target run this program? It keeps car seat materials out of landfills and gives parents a cost-effective way to upgrade to newer, safer gear.
Q6: Can more than one car seat be traded in at once? Yes. Multiple seats can typically be dropped off in the same visit.
Q7: Does the seat need to be clean before trading it in? No. Target accepts seats as-is, since they’re recycled rather than resold.
Q8: Can the bonus be used online? Yes, it works both in-store and online on eligible baby gear.
Q9: Does the trade-in bonus apply to strollers? Strollers themselves can’t be traded in, but the Circle bonus earned from a car seat trade-in can be applied toward buying one.
Q10: How long does the bonus stay valid after the event? Typically a few weeks, giving families time to shop without rushing.
Q11: Is there a cost to take part? No, joining Target Circle and trading in a seat are both free.
Final Takeaway
The Target car seat trade-in program has become a reliable twice-a-year event for families, and 2026 has followed the usual pattern so far. The spring window already ran in April, and a fall event is expected in September, following the timing from recent years. Setting up a free Target Circle account ahead of time is the one detail that’s genuinely worth doing early, since it’s now required to actually claim the bonus.
For more real, up-to-date automotive and family gear guides, check back closer to September for confirmed fall 2026 dates.
Sources: Target’s official newsroom announcement, reporting from WGN-TV/Nexstar and The Krazy Coupon Lady on 2026 event timing.