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Soccer, field hockey, ice hockey, ice skating, skateboarding, snowboarding, tennis, gymnastics, fencing, rowing, karate, volleyball, softball, basketball, football — there are so many great choices when it comes to youth sports that it can be hard for a child to pick just one. That’s why so many kids try out several different activities before landing on the one that’s a perfect fit for them.
Participating in team and individual sports bestows all kinds of benefits to a child; the health-related benefits of sports are the most obvious, but participating in athletic endeavors also boosts kids’ emotional well-being and social skills. Extracurricular activities can make a student more attractive to a college admissions board and teach them valuable lessons that will last a lifetime, as well.
From a parent’s perspective, however, all of these athletic endeavors can be an expensive proposition. Paying for lessons, coaches, access to the gym or other facility, specialized gear and equipment, and uniform such as a softball jersey can take a hefty toll on your wallet, and that’s even before you factor in the cost of gas to get your child to practices and back, the fast-food meals you eat on busy afternoons and evenings, providing team snacks, and the costs associated with traveling to other towns for matches, games, tournaments, and camps.
That’s why we’ve compiled some helpful hacks and tips for how to save money on athletic equipment. Read on and learn how to save big!
1 Ask Around for Loans or Hand-Me-Downs
When your child expresses an interest in a new sport, put out a call on Facebook or your neighborhood swap site to see if anyone has the necessary equipment gathering dust in a corner of the basement. You might be surprised at how many folks will give you these items outright, sell them for a song, barter, or loan them.
Once your son or daughter has gotten a taste of the sport and decided to continue, you can invest in gear of his or her own. If they decide this particular activity isn’t for them, you can simply return the items and be grateful you didn’t have to spend money on it.
- Buy Used
Buying used sports gear is another great way to let your young athlete give a sport a whirl, without taking too big a bite out of the family budget. There are loads of ways to score previously enjoyed equipment. Start online by checking eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and dedicated sports swap sites like 2nd Time Sports, Swap Me Sports, and Sideline Swap.
Next, try local consignment and thrift stores, or see if there’s a Play It Again Sports location near you. Garage and rummage sales can also be a treasure trove of decent used sports items, but of course they can be hit or miss.
- Buy New, But Find Bargains
Amazon also offers used equipment, but there are also a couple of little-known offshoots of this e-commerce juggernaut to know about. Warehouse Deals generally stocks returns, refurbished items, or opened/damaged box items. There is also a section of Amazon called Bargain Finds. Like going to a yard sale, scoring a great deal on exactly the right size of skis or hockey helmet is a matter of luck, but it’s worth scouring the offers nonetheless.
A little digging can also turn up other ways to buy new sports equipment for discount prices. For example, you could buy a stand up paddle board direct from manufacturer websites, or snag a pair of cleats from Overstock.
- Look to the Facility or Organization Itself
Depending on the sport, the place where your child will be taking lessons might have a stash of loaner equipment. Some junior roller derby leagues have a supply of skates, pads, and helmets for an aspiring skater to borrow. The gym where your daughter takes fencing lessons probably has some sabers, foils, and masks in the storage closet.
There’s no harm in asking, so it’s worth looking into. The coach or organizer might also know of lower-cost resources for beginner students or struggling families.
- Have Your Child Earn the Money
If you have older children, or if this is the sixth activity they’ve tried in as many months and your sports-equipment budget is maxed out, consider asking your child to earn the money him- or herself. This will instill good values at the same time it teaches them the value of a dollar — or the value of a snowboard!
Kids can make and sell baked goods, create slime, offer custom artwork to family members and friends, walk dogs, babysit, shovel snow or mow lawns, or even do chores around Grandma and Grandpa’s house to earn the necessary funds.
As an added bonus, your child may be more inclined to stick with the activity, even if it’s difficult for them, simply because they’ve invested so much time and energy in making their participation possible.
Do you have any other resources for finding low-cost sports equipment? Have you ever asked your athlete to chip in toward the cost of a uniform? What’s your policy regarding new extracurricular activities? Share your thoughts in the comment section!