For many families, the financial commitment of youth sports can be more than they’re comfortable with. Follow these tips to help budget for your child’s sports without breaking the bank:
What’s the Real Cost of Putting My Child in Sports?
When allowing your child to participate in sports, it’s important to understand the full cost. You won’t just be driving them to a few practices and paying a fee to join the team. Common expenses include:
- Uniform
- Practice clothes
- Sports bag
- Team photos
- Sports equipment like bats, balls, gloves, cleats or protective gear
- Gas
- Hotels
- Meals
Use Financial Planning for Extracurricular Activities
If your child is set on playing a sport but you don’t see how you can afford it, try rearranging where your money goes. After paying bills and putting money into your savings, prioritize paying for your child’s sport. This may mean you’ll have to cut back on certain things as a family. Examples of ways to cut back include eating out less, carpooling and using less gas, or monitoring the thermostat to decrease your utility bills.
Look for Discounts and Fundraising Opportunities
There are plenty of options when playing a sport on a budget. Try to buy non-essential items like athletic clothes and accessories secondhand. Also, consider buying seasonal sports equipment in the off season when there will likely be low demand. If there is an expensive tournament your child’s team wants to participate in, instead of shelling out cash from your personal funds, consider fundraising. Try having a team bake sale or car wash to raise money and get the community involved.
Buy Used Sports Equipment for Kids
Buying used sports equipment is another great budget friendly option. Consider looking on Facebook marketplace for anyone nearby selling old sports equipment. Also, if you know someone with kids older than yours that did sports, considering asking if you could borrow their equipment, they’ll most likely say yes and be happy to get rid of items they no longer use. Stores such as Play It Again Sports allow you to buy used items, and trade in your old sports equipment for money.
Set Up a Dedicated Sports Fund
If you know your kids are interested in sports and money is tight, consider setting up a sports fund well before the season starts. Set aside money each month to go towards sport expenses. If you don’t have any room in your budget to set aside, consider picking up a side hustle and saving up the extra cash. Have your kid help add to the sports fund by selling unwanted items or picking up a part time job like babysitting. This will teach them that they need to work for things in life, and the importance of working towards a financial goal.
Tips for Budgeting Sports Travel for Kids
Youth travel sports expenses often include traveling for games out of town - and sometimes out of state. It’s best to plan for these travels well before so you don’t end up paying the most expensive price for accommodations. As soon as you get the game dates, research cheap hotel and housing rentals. Consider inviting some of the other families to stay with you to split costs. Also, pack food for your family so you don’t have to buy expensive restaurant meals.
Look for Community-Based or Low-Cost Programs
Your child may want to play on a travel sports team, but those can often be expensive. If paying for a travel team is out of your budget, consider putting them in a community or school based program. Talk to them and explain that although money is tight, you still want them to succeed and follow their dreams. In addition, instead of expensive private sports lessons, consider taking them to some community classes or asking around your neighborhood if any older kids would be interested in giving them some lessons.
Explore Alternative Sports and Activities
Sometimes, it might not be the right time financially to put your child in organized sports—and that’s completely okay. Prioritizing essentials is a responsible and important decision. Talk with your child about the situation and reassure them that there are still plenty of ways to stay active and have fun together. Consider regular trips to the park, neighborhood games, or exploring free programs offered by local parks and recreation centers. You might be surprised by the community resources available!
