Budget-Friendly Ways That You Can Support Your Kids’ Sports Interests

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Although we love to support our kids, sometimes, their hobbies can tend to be a bit expensive. Sports hobbies can be especially taxing with the cost of entry fees, equipment, and travel to games. However, with proper planning, you can find an affordable route to success. Here at USC, we love to see young athletes meet their peak potential, so we have some tips for how you can support your kids even if you are on a budget.

The Benefits of Sports for Kids

If your children are excited about joining a sports league but you are hesitant to allow it, then we are here to tell you that youth sports can be very beneficial to a growing body and mind. For instance, constant movement will keep them physically active and strong. Plus, they will get plenty of emotional support and positive feedback that can help them to grow as adults.

On top of that, sports also help your kids to learn the reality of disappointment, and that is important. While it feels great to win, it is important to teach them that winning isn’t the most important result. Instead, the true value of sports comes from the teamwork they experience and the chance to work together for a common goal. It also shows them that losing isn't the end of the world and that they can do better next time.

Find Affordable Equipment

To get your kids started, you will need to buy the sports equipment, but if you go to a retailer then you will likely pay a pretty penny. Instead, look around for bargains. You can look online for a local sports equipment outlet or you can go on Facebook Marketplace where people are always selling or trading the items you may need.

Your kids will also need to improve their physical health to succeed, and you can find affordable workout equipment at places like garage sales, yard sales, and on websites like Craigslist. You can also speak to friends of older kids and see if they have anything that they no longer need. If all else fails, consider buying your equipment during the off-season.

Bring Your Child to a Sports Game

The best way to learn any new hobby is to watch the professionals do it first, and the same goes for sports. Bring your child to a game in town and they can watch how it is done so they can get the inspiration they need to keep going.

If you don’t shop for deals, then a sports game can be on the expensive side, but you don’t have to pay a fortune. For instance, you can grab tickets and check out a Dodgers game by going online on a website like Top Pick and filter by date, price range, and seat rating. There are plenty of seats to go around at a large park so you won’t be left out. When you are looking at the site, pull up the 360-degree virtual in-seat views, so you can see in real time where you will be and if you will be seated near your child’s favorite player.

Consider the More Affordable Sports

While your child may be interested in playing football or hockey, those require a lot of equipment and they can become costly very quickly. Instead, look for sports that require fewer purchases and your kids can still have fun and get the activity that they need. For instance, track and field typically only require the need of a shirt and shorts and they may not require a lot of travel. Sports like bowling, volleyball, and even baseketball are generally more affordable and they are a lot of fun.

In the end, there is no reason not to put your kids in sports. By finding affordable equipment, trying a cost-effective sport, and finding great prices on professional games, you can fit this hobby into your budget. If you would like to know more about the amazing things happening at USC, then check out our blog.