Kids + Extracurricular Activities = $$$

Since today is National Son’s Day, I was looking back at pictures of my boys, Auston and Aidon. During their school years, they were always incredibly active in extracurricular activities. If you looked through the photos on my phone from those years, the vast majority of them were taken at one sporting event or another!

Auston started playing sports when he was just 3 years old, and as soon as Aidon was old enough to join in, he did too. Over a 17-year stretch, I honestly don’t know how many track meets, baseball tournaments, basketball games, football matchups, and soccer matches I attended—but let me tell you, it was a lot!

Juggling two very active boys playing every sport they could was incredibly strenuous on our bank account back in the day. Main reason? We initially did not budget for it. Having to buy new athletic shoes for every season of every sport, new uniforms, registration fees, tournament gas, and last-minute fast food on the road… the list goes on and on. I know I am not the only parent who understands the intense financial strain that extracurricular activities can cause.

For some of you, it’s your daughter who plays all the sports, or your kids are deeply involved in choir, theatre, gymnastics, cheer, or band. The list of things kids can participate in these days seems truly endless. And while that is a wonderful thing for their growth, it can be a very expensive reality. Years ago, I even took Aidon to a Rubik’s Cube competition in Oklahoma. Yes, you heard me right—a Rubik’s Cube competition! We had to pay to register for the event, buy gas to drive all the way to Lawton, Oklahoma, pay for a hotel stay, and cover all of our meals on the road.

Thankfully, my husband and I eventually learned our lesson and began formally budgeting for these activities. We set up automatic monthly transfers to deposit a set amount into a designated secondary savings account right here at the credit union just for these expenses. Sometimes that account gets pretty empty—like when we are using it to pay for tickets to the boys’ games every week—and sometimes we are able to build up a nice cushion. But the key is that we plan for it now. Making that shift has made the biggest difference in reducing our stress levels and avoiding last-minute panic.

You don’t have to choose between your monthly budget and your children’s happiness. Here are some of our favorite practical ways to save on your kids’ extracurricular activities and plan ahead:

1. Capitalize on Early-Bird Registration

Many community sports leagues, dance studios, and after-school programs offer deep discounts of up to 30% just for signing up early. Sit down with your kids to discuss which programs they want to join well before the season officially starts so you can register the moment the window opens and snag those early-bird specials.

2. Purchase Gently Used Equipment

You can save hundreds of dollars on sports gear by purchasing high-quality, pre-owned equipment from trusted online resale marketplaces like Play It Again Sports and SidelineSwap. These platforms allow you to filter by condition, and they are also a fantastic place to sell your own kids’ outgrown gear to earn some extra cash for next season.

3. Organize a Neighborhood Equipment Swap

If you have a network of friends, neighbors, or fellow church members whose kids are also into sports or music, consider setting up an informal equipment swap. Kids grow out of shin guards, baseball cleats, and tennis racquets fast—often before the gear is actually worn out. Trading items from year to year can save everyone a bundle.

4. Rent Instruments Before Buying

If you have a budding musician at home, always rent their instrument of choice first. There is no way to tell if that sudden burst of passion they are currently nursing for the saxophone or the oboe is a passing phase or the beginning of a lifelong hobby! Some advanced school instruments can cost upwards of $1,000 to buy outright, but you can routinely rent them through school-approved vendors for a low monthly fee. If your child stays committed, you can eventually purchase a certified used instrument from specialized music platforms like Reverb.

5. Volunteer Your Time for Fee Waivers

If you have the time to coach a team, serve as a referee, or volunteer to manage the refreshment stand during games, ask the league coordinators about a volunteer discount. Many community leagues will happily wave or deeply discount registration fees for parents who step up to help keep the program running smoothly.

Extracurricular activities are a beautiful part of a child’s development, allowing them to shine outside the classroom, build confidence, and forge lifelong friendships. But there is no denying they are an investment. By making smart, structured financial choices—like opening a dedicated Secondary Savings Account at Abilene Teachers FCU and setting up automatic payday transfers—you can support your children’s dreams while keeping your family’s financial future completely secure.