Have you ever been to a swap meet? Swaps are a great way to conserve resources because instead of tossing out items that you don't need anymore, you can exchange them for items that you want or need.

How Swaps Work

Go through your belongings and find items that you don't use anymore. Be sure your parents aren't planning to pass them down to a younger sibling!

Pick a date to have a swap party at your house, church, or school. Double check these dates with your parents, teacher, principal, or church leader to find out what works for them.

Pick a theme! You can have a winter swap to swap winter coats and boots, winter sports gear such as ice/hockey skates, sleds, or even snowboards and skis. Or you can have a summer swap to exchange rafts, snorkeling gear, camping equipment, kayaks, and boogie boards.

Or you can set up a swap based on the items your are swapping. Books, DVDs, CDs, video games, and toy swaps are great way to get some new media to keep you busy.

Costume swaps and clothes swaps help you to exchange items that are too small for you for something that fits! Maybe you can plan a Halloween costume swap.

Ask people to bring only those items that actually work and are clean.

Donate any leftover items to charity.