Sports on a Budget: How to Get Your Kids Active Without Breaking the Bank

We’ve all been there: your child comes home from school and says, ‘Can I start playing (insert the name of a sport here)?’. On the one hand, as parents, we want to say ‘yes’. But isn’t playing sports expensive? Especially when considering all the equipment, the coaching, and the travel costs that are part of the sporting experience.

The good news is that introducing your child to sport and keeping them active doesn’t have to break the bank.

Low-cost sports for kids

Despite what you might think, the cost of entry for some of the ‘bigger’ sports is low. Of course, if your child wants to have lessons, there might be additional costs involved. But you can start your kid out in these sports without spending a fortune.

🏃‍♀️ Athletics/Running: Perhaps the cheapest sport of all. All your child needs is a good pair of running shoes. What’s more, coaching is often available through schools or low-cost clubs.

🏀 Basketball: As long as you have a basketball, you can play this sport just about anywhere. What’s more, you can help your child learn essential skills – even if you have not played the game yourself.

⚽️ Soccer: Like Basketball, all you need is a soccer ball to get started. If your child progresses to play at a local club, you might need to buy cleats, but until then, a ball and a place to play will do.

🏊 Swimming: Not just a sport, but a crucial life skill as well. The equipment is cheap – swimming costume and goggles is a great start point. Swimming lessons can be pricey, but you can introduce your child to the water yourself and help them learn some crucial water safety skills.

🥾 Hiking: Does your child love to explore? Of course they do. If they have a good pair of shoes and a sense of adventure, take them out into nature and enjoy some quality time together.

a few that are more expensive

Some of the sports listed below may cost a little more to introduce your child to. However, if your child is keen and you can afford it, then they will get a lifetime of enjoyment from them.

🎾 Tennis: Tennis can be a cost-effective sport if you can source cheap equipment. However, if you want to introduce them to coaching, then the cost of lessons and/or court time can be prohibitive for some.

⛳️ Golf: A fantastic sport that is a lifelong pursuit. Golf is an expensive sport to introduce your child to, with high equipment costs. The cost of visiting or joining your local course can also be very high.

🎿 Skiing: There’s no doubt that children who learn to ski young will carry that skill through their entire lives. However, the equipment is expensive (and needs changing most years), and lift passes to resorts can be a barrier to entry.

How to Make Smart Savings on Sports Equipment

There are a few ways you can get the best bang for your buck when buying sports equipment, and still make sure your child enjoys their introduction to the sport.

💰 Buy used: This is a sensible approach for expensive sports like skiing. Check out sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, second-hand sports shops… the list is endless. You can pick up quality gear that may only have been used for a year or two before the child has outgrown it.

💰 ‘Good enough’ really is good enough: You don’t need to buy the most expensive gear for your child to start playing a sport. It’s far more important to get them a racquet that is the right size, or shoes that fit properly, rather than the most expensive thing you can find.

💰 Buy out of season: When the soccer season starts, some kids want to play soccer. When the snow falls, some kids want to go skiing. When these things happen, the prices go up. If you think you can predict what your child will be interested in, or you’re keen to introduce them to a sport, buy the equipment out of season to grab a bargain.

You Have the Gear. Now What?

Once you’ve got them ready to play, the fun stuff begins. You can introduce them to a local club or coach, but why not try teaching them the basics yourself?

That’s where Growletics can help. We’ve got tips and advice on how to introduce your child to a variety of different sports, and games you can play at home with them.

One last thing…

Introducing your child to a sport is one of the best gifts that you can give them. Many sports become a source of lifelong enjoyment for children, keeping them active, building their confidence, and helping them to learn valuable life skills. By using these strategies, you can get them started in a sport without having to spend a fortune.