Cost of Kids Extracurricular Activities

The cost of kids' extracurricular activities can quickly add up, with sports and activities like football, cheerleading, track and dance classes easily costing hundreds of dollars a month, per child. There are, however, some ways to lower the overall cost of extracurricular activities for your family, making them more affordable for your budget.

Affording Kids' Extracurricular Activities

From soccer and gymnastics to violin lessons and karate, the cost of extracurricular activities for children have made them a luxury for many families. The activities aren't cheap; the costs for application fees, registration costs, equipment and travel make extracurricular activities out of reach for many cash-strapped families, especially those with multiple children. Determined to give their children well-rounded experiences, parents are using novel approaches to afford and reduce the cost of outside activities for their children.

Making Sports Affordable

Consider the type of activities that you want children to participate in. This may sound simple, but many times, parents steer their children toward individual sports and private instruction, which are usually significantly higher than the cost of team sports. Generally, the costs of private clubs are five times higher than municipal or non-profit programs -- and they demand top-notch equipment, even for young players, according to www.TipHero.com.

If your child shows a budding interest in figure skating, for example, don't go out and immediately hire a private coach, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Instead, enroll her in an introductory figure skating class and try to gauge her interest. The introductory class will be less expensive, and it will allow you to see if your child remains interested and if she has remarkable talent. Your child may eventually lose interest in a sport after time, so it's wise to proceed cautiously before you invest a lot of money.

Avoid semi-professional and private instruction to save most parents hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Generally, team sports at activities at recreational centers like the YMCA, local park departments, churches and non-profit youth leagues are almost always less expensive, according to TeenagersToday.com.

Save On Sports Equipment

Equipment is often the second-highest cost for extracurricular activities. You can significantly cut down on this expense by buying professional-quality equipment at stores like Play It Again Sports and even resale stores. These stores typically carry gently used sporting equipment at a fraction of the cost of new equipment. As long as the equipment is safe, it will always be cheaper than the cost of buying it new. Some stores will let you trade in used equipment to fund additional purchases, and they typically have a wide selection to choose from.

Another option is to trade or buy used equipment from other parents in your neighborhood, school or church. Most children have equipment that they no longer use, but it can be perfectly suited for your child. Buying equipment at yard sales is another way to save. Also, you can save on equipment costs by renting equipment instead of owning it. Equipment like football shoulder pads and softball bats are often much less expensive if you rent as opposed to buy.

Volunteer Your Time

Many times, parents can use sweat equity such as volunteer work to cut down on costs. Organized sports usually need parental help, so get to know your child's coach or instructor and ask if you can trade time for costs. Typically, teams are open to cutting expenses if parents become chaperones, sell products or work at games.

Also, parents can ask if there are scholarships available. These scholarships are often based on financial need and are available only if parents seek them out. Ultimately, it helps to communicate with the team leaders or coaches if parents need financial assistance.

References

• Teenagers Today: Pay To Play
• Tip Hero: How You Can Cut Costs On Fall Youth Sports