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From football pads and baseball bats to soccer cleats and tennis balls, sports can enrich children’s lives and help shape their futures. However, many families are all too familiar with how expensive these extracurricular activities often are. Between team fees, uniform costs, and travel for away games and meals, the bills start to add up quickly.

According to the Aspen Institute’s 2025 Project Play survey, the average sports family in the U.S. spent $1,016 on their child’s primary sport in 2024, a 46% increase since 2019. The survey also showed that these costs varied by age; parents of children between six and ten years old spent nearly $700 for their child’s primary sport. That figure nearly doubled to $1,346 for those with 15- to 18-year-olds.

With the cost of living continuing to rise, it can be challenging to balance your family’s budget while investing in your child’s future. Here are five practical tips to help you  manage these costs, save smart, and support your child’s interests while reducing financial stress. 

1. Create A Dedicated Savings Fund

Much like saving for college or a family vacation, setting up a dedicated savings account for extracurricular sports expenses can make a big difference. Many banks like Arvest have online tools that make it easy to set up automatic transfers and track progress toward your goal. 

Even smaller, regular deposits like $20 every other week can add up over time, and automatic transfers can make saving easy and consistent. The more costs you can knock out by saving ahead of time, the better.

2. Estimate Costs To Build Them Into Your Budget

Before signing up for different sports or new teams, take stock of what your child wants to do and what each activity will cost. Factor in registration fees, equipment (and replacements), uniforms, travel, food, and extras like lessons or training camps. 

Once you have a rough annual estimate, divide that number by 12 and treat it like paying a monthly bill in your budget. Depending on how those costs fit into your budget, it might be wise to have your children only pursue one or two sports.

3. Shop Smart By Seeking Savings

Look for gently used equipment or uniforms from local resale shops, community groups, or other families. Don’t be afraid to ask about payment plans or scholarships, either. 

Every dollar you save upfront reduces the chance of needing to borrow funds or accumulate credit card debt later. You may also want to consider traveling together with other parents whose kids are on your child’s team or creating a carpool group to get your kids to practice.

4. Let Your Child Be Involved 

Encourage your children to be involved and aware of how much participating in sports can cost. Older kids can help with individual and team fundraisers, take on small jobs, or contribute birthday or holiday gift money toward sports. 

This not only helps ease the financial burden of being on a team, but it can also help them learn valuable money management skills. They may also want to ask for new equipment or gear for birthday or holiday presents, which can further alleviate some of these costs.

5. Adjust Your Plan As Needed

Your children’s interests or priorities may change as time passes, so review your extracurricular budget at least once a year to consider adjusting it. Everyone’s financial situation is different, so a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work as well here. Reviewing your budget can allow you to prepared for new activities and even redirect money where it’s needed most.

Participating in team sports often helps children develop essential life skills. Even as costs for these activities remain high, consistent budgeting and saving can help families allow their kids to be involved in activities they love without overextending their budgets. 

Phillip Partain is the community bank president for Arvest Bank – Saline County.ν

Arvest is an Equal Housing Lender and
Member FDIC.