How to budget for youth sports without breaking the bank
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Key takeaways
- Youth sports are good for children but can be expensive
- It’s important to incorporate sports costs into your family budget
- You can keep costs down by starting in a recreational league and buying used equipment
Participating in youth sports is an enriching experience for many children. Beyond the health benefits of being physically active, kids learn about teamwork, develop leadership and social skills, and make new friends. But oftentimes parents feel overwhelmed by the cost, which can easily approach an average of $1,000 a season, according to a survey by Project Play and Utah State University. Fortunately, industrious parents and leagues have come up with ways to keep expenses manageable.
What are the top expenses in youth sports?
The cost of youth sports is much more than the fee for joining a league or a team. You’ll need to pay for uniforms and equipment — whether soccer cleats and shin guards, golf clubs, baseball bats and gloves, tennis racquets or football helmets and pads. There are post-game snacks, fundraisers and end-of-season coaches’ gifts. Your child may want to attend additional training, lessons or camps. And if your child is on a travel team, you’ll need to pay for gas, hotels and meals.
How do I set a realistic sports budget and stick to it?
Start by creating a household budget, if you don’t already have one, and include a line item for youth sports. Do some research on how much a sport will cost before signing your child up. The more specific you can be, the better. That way, sports are part of your spending plan and not something you have to scramble to fund at the last minute.
Consider setting up a separate savings account just for sports and make regular contributions, even out of season. Then track your expenses to ensure you’re sticking to the budget. Involve your child. Saving for and spending on their sports are great opportunities to teach your child about money.
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What are some money-saving tips?
Some sports, like hockey and golf, often involve more equipment or specialized facilities, which can increase expenses; while others such as soccer, basketball or track and field tend to have lower overhead costs. These activities can be a great way to develop fundamental athletic skills that can be applied across a wide variety of sports. Of course, if your child is passionate about a particular sport, that enthusiasm is important to nurture as well.
Local recreational leagues can provide good competition at a significantly lower cost than travel leagues. They also take less time, which makes it easier for kids to try a number of different sports. Elementary and middle school sports programs, if available, are also a cost-effective option. Some rec leagues and school programs will waive fees, provide financial assistance or let you set up a payment plan.
Peer pressure can drive unnecessary equipment purchases. Remember that brand new, top-of-the-line equipment won’t make your child a better athlete. Consider buying second-hand equipment or using hand-me-downs from siblings or friends. You’ll be surprised how much like-new equipment is available. Besides outgrowing their gear, kids often change their minds about a sport before the equipment gets much use. Start with basic pieces, then add as your child’s commitment and skills grow. And check if your league has arranged discounts with local sports stores.
Teams often offset expenses like traveling to tournaments by holding car washes, bake sales or other fundraisers. You can also ask local businesses or community groups to sponsor your team and donate cash or equipment. Some major corporations and non-profit groups make grants to individual families to cover fees and equipment. And check with local, state and federal governments to see what financial help they may offer.
You may be able to save money by carpooling, sharing short-term rentals or hotel suites, swapping equipment, and buying snacks in bulk. Chartering a bus or renting a van to travel to distant tournaments may be cheaper than driving separate cars.
Why youth sports matter
Research shows that children who are physically active do better throughout their lives.
- Less likely to be obese, smoke or use drugs
- More likely to go to college
- Have better mental health and self-esteem
- Earn more and are healthier as adults
FAQ about youth sports
That depends on your child’s age, skills and commitment. What’s important at young ages is that your child is having fun, developing skills and trying a variety of sports — all of which they can do in less expensive recreational leagues. As your child ages, a travel team may be worth the additional time and expense if they want to play in high school and college. Use their enthusiasm, motivation and commitment as guides.
