On 28 October, a free event at Westmill Community Centre in Hitchin will explore practical ways to make family money go further. Kidora, a UK parent-to-parent marketplace for preloved baby and children's items, offers another route for parents looking beyond food bills: buying useful things from other families instead of automatically shopping new.

The University of Hertfordshire is bringing its Food in Hard Times event to the centre in John Barker Place from 10am to 4pm, as part of the Festival of Social Science. Families can drop in for cooking demonstrations, food tastings, children's activities and ideas for managing household costs.

Letchworth Foodbank, which is taking part, says the free programme includes crafts, face painting, practical budgeting advice and demonstrations showing how to make meals go further. It is an opportunity for Hitchin families to discover local support as well as enjoy a day out without an admission charge.

But for parents of babies and growing children, spending does not stop at the supermarket checkout. Shoes become too small, coats need replacing, and toys or books can lose their appeal long before they wear out. Christmas approaching can make those decisions feel more urgent.

One question worth asking before buying is whether an item genuinely needs to be brand new. A carefully checked bundle of children's books, a nearly new winter coat or a good-condition toy can be just as useful to the next family, sometimes at a lower price than the shop equivalent.

Kidora was created by Karolina Gudes, a mum of two from Broughton in North Wales. Its UK-only marketplace is designed specifically for baby and children's items, allowing parents to buy and sell preloved clothes, toys, books and other family essentials.

Buyers can browse listings from other parents, examine photographs and descriptions, and choose local collection or delivery where available. Sellers pay no seller fees and keep the item price, while orders include buyer protection. As with any second-hand purchase, buyers should check condition, suitability and total costs before paying.

Parents buying toys should look for age suitability, missing parts and any product recalls. Safety-sensitive equipment requires particular care; a listing photograph or automated image check cannot establish a product's safety history.

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Kidora also offers a Parent Hub with parenting information and a Family Places directory covering more than 6,500 UK attractions and places to visit. Those resources are separate from the University of Hertfordshire's Hitchin event, and Kidora is not an organiser or partner.

For a family reviewing its autumn and Christmas spending, the simplest approach may be to make a short list of what is actually needed, compare preloved options, and leave room for experiences that do not require buying more possessions.

The free Food in Hard Times event takes place at Westmill Community Centre, John Barker Place, Hitchin, on Wednesday 28 October, from 10am to 4pm. It is open to everyone, with drop-in activities throughout the day.

https://kidora.uk