Have Kids? These Sports Could Cost You $2,000-Plus per Year

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Does Pee Wee Football have sponsors?

Most kids are like Energizer Bunnies—long past their parents ready to take a nap. So it’s really necessary to give them a proper outlet for that energy, such as organized sports.

Unfortunately, that necessity begins to seem more like a luxury once you start immersing yourself in the world. personal loan affect. Her annual average cost of just one kids’ sport (for one child) is almost $700. And most kids actually play more than one of her sports.

The price to play can vary considerably from sport to sport. Many of the cheapest sports require minimal gear. But that’s not the only factor. Popularity, ease of finding used gear, and travel needs all play a role.

Winter sports top the charts

In a study by the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, parents provided cost data for 21 sports. The top of the charts, or the most expensive sports, are ice hockey and ski/snowboard.

5 most expensive kids sports

1. Ice Hockey: $2,583
2. Ski/Snowboard: $2,249
3. Field Hockey: $2,125
4. Gymnastics: $1,580
5. Lacrosse: $1,289

The top two sports are a good example of how costs are highly dependent on many factors in each sport. With an average annual cost per child of $2,583 for her, ice hockey seems expensive overall. Registration and travel costs far exceed the cost of equipment and lessons.

Skiing/snowboarding, on the other hand, appears to be near the top of the list based solely on equipment costs. This makes sense. Even buying the necessary layers to prevent freezing can be expensive. And that’s before adding in the high cost of skis and snowboards.

At the other end of the spectrum, the least expensive sports tend to be those that require minimal equipment. Athletics, cross-country, flag football, and all other sports where uniforms are basic and don’t require pads, sticks, or other expensive gear.

The 5 cheapest sports for kids:

1. Athletics: $191
2. Flag Football: $268
3. Skateboard: $380
4. Cross Country: $421
5. Basketball: $427

That said, very popular/common sports that require a lot of equipment can also be fairly affordable. may be But football is so ubiquitous that not only are they fairly affordable when new, but they are also easy to find used.

Gear is expensive, but travel can be even worse

Equipment cost may be the first thing that comes to mind when considering a new sport, but in reality, it is not the driver of the total cost of most sports in our study. is the biggest expense for

For example, the average cost of field hockey is $2,125 per year. Only about a quarter of that cost comes from equipment. The majority (44%) of the cost of playing games is $934 a year spent on travel to and from the game.

(And we’re not talking about the fun kind of trip that brings you those sweet treats Travel benefitsThis is often hours of driving in a van full of kids who have spent the last two hours sweating in their pads. Talk about a labor of love. )

Of course, just enrolling your child in a sports team can be expensive. Ice hockey registration alone is said to cost an average of $634 a year. The other two sports in the top five also have high registration fees. Field hockey is $409/year and lacrosse is $411/year.

If your child wants to play sports without a team, you’re not off the hook. Most non-team sports are the type that require some sort of class or lesson.

For example, gymnastics costs an average of $1,580 per year, of which more than a quarter (27%) is just tuition. But it’s not even the worst. Tuition is more than 40% of his average annual cost of $1,170 to play tennis. Also, over 60% of his martial arts related costs are spent on lessons.

How to save

Participating in sports benefits children in a myriad of ways. It helps them develop confidence and sportsmanship.

But if you’re on a tight budget, the $700 annual surcharge might seem like a lot. Raising children is already expensive at no additional cost. Luckily, there are a few ways you can reduce the cost of your child’s sport without cutting it out completely.

• Rent first: Most parents have gone through the pain of shelling out hundreds of times just to let their child decide for three weeks just because they don’t like the sport anymore. See if you can rent more expensive equipment until you’re sure.
• Second hand purchase: Kids can run out of gear long before its useful life is over. Try to get used gear from friends, family and teammates. Many independent sporting goods stores also sell second-hand goods. (don’t buy second hand Helmet; may lose effectiveness. )
• Carpool: Travel costs for away games and tournaments can be expensive. Where possible, share travel expenses with other parents to minimize out-of-pocket costs.
• Bundle class: If your child is in a sport that takes many classes, ask the gym/dojo etc. about class bundles. Many places offer package deals that cost less per class than he pays for one class at a time.

At the very least, think of your child’s sports expenses as an investment. Your child will likely be happier and healthier. Plus, you get entertainment from it too. I never laughed until I saw her 7-year-old try skating in a hockey outfit.