Leeds mum launches free seven-day challenge to tackle children’s clutter before Christmas

A new free family challenge aims to help households in Leeds and West Yorkshire organise children's outgrown belongings one manageable task at a time, rather than face a whole-house clear-out.

The initiative is called Outgrown, Not Wasted. The challenge grew out of mum-of-two Karolina Gudes's own family life, where deciding what to do with useful belongings was often harder than simply spotting what had been outgrown.

Leeds City Council highlights its School Uniform Exchange, developed with Zero Waste Leeds, which helps families find good-quality second-hand schoolwear.

Instead of trying to clear an entire home at once, parents deal with clothes one day, toys the next and then books, baby gear, shoes and larger possessions before a final day of decisions.

There are five possible decisions for each belonging: keep, pass on, donate, recycle responsibly or sell. An item worth keeping is as valid a result as one ready for another home.

Karolina said: "The aim isn't to tell parents to sell everything. Sometimes keeping something, giving it to someone else or donating it is a much better outcome."

Outgrown, Not Wasted applies the same reuse thinking to children's everyday clothing, books, toys and baby equipment at home.

Kidora is a UK parent-to-parent marketplace specialising in preloved baby and children's items, with local collection and nationwide delivery available. The challenge is separate from buying and selling: families can use it without opening an account.

The run-up to Christmas gives families a practical reason to check toy boxes and wardrobes first. Rediscovering what is still used may be just as valuable as identifying items ready to leave the house.

A toy or garment may simply need checking and cleaning, while certain baby products require more careful safety checks. Items that cannot safely be reused should not be passed on.

The challenge is completely free, including a downloadable family checklist and resources for schools, nurseries, PTAs, Family Hubs and community organisations. Parents can begin on whichever day suits their household.

The challenge can begin whenever it suits a household. All seven days and the printable resources are available at: https://kidora.uk/outgrown