How to Find Affordable After School Activities For Your Kids
For most families, especially those with several children, cost is a big factor to consider when deciding which activities after school you can afford. Music lessons, sports teams and dance classes can all carry a hefty price tag. However, some smart shopping for after school club options and supplies can significantly curtail your expenses. In this article, we’ll share some tips for saving money while still allowing your kids to participate in fun and educational activities once classes let out.
A shaky economy doesn’t negate the need for fun and educational activities after school, with sports being the most popular and expensive. Besides administration fees, parents have to pay for equipment, equipment maintenance, uniforms, transportation costs, and sometimes out of town accommodations. There are several ways to reduce these costs and make sports more affordable for your family. Start by shopping for equipment and supplies off season. Items like hockey gear are much cheaper in the warm months when they are discounted. Don’t hesitate to buy used equipment like sticks, balls, skates and nets that are in good condition. You can score great equipment at 40-70% less than retail at second-hand stores that carry used sports equipment. You can also ask the team if they have used uniforms that you can purchase or rent. Don’t let old equipment sit around the house either! Sell it through newspaper classified ads, online or at a consignment shop for cash or store credit. This is a great way to offset the cost of new equipment.
For kids who are into music, there are also any number of ways to reduce expenses. Instead of purchasing a new, pricey instrument that your child might become bored with, consider renting. A number of retailers subsidize school music programs by providing leases that you can make payments each month. This pay-as-you-go approach is perfect for a child who is studying an instrument for the first time. If you observe that they do not like it, you simply terminate the lease. Many music and used equipment retailers also provide second hand instruments and sheet music at discounted rates.
Membership and tuition charges comprise a sizable part of the price of after school programs. If one-on-one classes are too expensive for your budget, then there are more affordable options. Organizations including the Little League, Scouts, YWCA, YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs have economical membership costs and activities.
Discussing cost saving measures with other parents is an excellent way to come up with ideas. If your children participate in the same activities, you may save time and gas money by car pooling. You can also swap or share equipment, clothes or musical instruments. You may find parents who run activities after school out of their home, but make sure you thoroughly investigate this option to make sure it is a safe environment.
Getting your children involved with after school activities is a great way to keep them busy and supervised until you get home. And thankfully, there are lots of options for an after school program that can fit within your budget.
