Nowadays, who isn’t trying to locate places where cheap kids clothes are available? Not only do children grow out of their clothes quickly, but for many parents, it is critical to find a source of bargain clothing in order to replenlish their child’s closet.

Please understand that when I use the term “cheap,” I do not mean to imply “poor quality.” I use the word “cheap,” since as I write this, frankly, I’m feeling a liitle bit like a cheapskate right now when it comes to buying clothes. But, I’m not the only one tightening my belt. We’re looking for bargains. We want to get more for our dollar.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. The economy may be feeling a little shaky these days for some, but with a little ingenuity, we can still dress our kids quite well. Perhaps not to the standards of a Beverly Hills boutique, but then again… who really wants his or her kid running around playing in a 0 outfit that will be worth one dollar at the next yard sale (complete with the grass and mud stains)?

But you also don’t want your son or daughter to believe that he or she is merely wearing someone else’s old clothes that they didn’t like or want. This is where learning how to buy cheap kids clothes becomes an art.

So, with that in mind, here are a few ideas for shopping wisely for your child’s clothes without needing to take out a second mortgage.

We all know about yard sales and thrift stores by now. However, if your child is like many others, she or he might not particularly enjoy accompanying you while you make the thrift store or yard sale rounds. It may be easier for you if you can leave the children at home while you shop, but sometimes that’s just not feasible.

One way around this is to do something that I learned from a very wise parent a few years ago.

While her kids were still in the stage where they were all growing out of their clothes faster than she could buy them, she told them that their journeys to thrift stores and yard sales were “treasure hunting.”

In other words, she found ways to make it fun. The kids could find small items that they liked while she was concentrating more on getting her hands on some cheap kids clothes.

Another idea is to put out a notice on a community bulletin board or CraigsList that you are willing to swap children’s clothing for some items you might not be using any longer. For example, maybe someone wants that waffle iron and is willing to swap a few of her son’s outfits for it. Again, be creative.

Or, let’s say your pre-teen is about to enter a growth spurt. Why not consider having a tag or yard sale to get rid of clothes or toys that your son or daughter is no longer using? You can earmark the money for new clothes that way.

How about this: What if rather than simply buying clothes at a consignment store, the owner would allow a trade? You could then exchange your son’s or daughter’s outgrown clothing for a more updated wardrobe.

Search online using terms like “discount kids clothes” so that you don’t wind up at a pricey online store that won’t save you any money. In fact, have some friends shop with you so you can make a bulk order and save money on shipping!

Again, the fact remains that a lot of people are keeping their eyes open for deals. Cheap kids clothes. If you are in this category, remember: You are not alone! This article offered only a few ideas.

Why not get together with a few other parents and brainstorm some more ideas over your kids’ playdates or over coffee? You may be surprised at some of the solutions you come up with!