Due to inflation and high demand, extracurricular activities for kids have become much more expensive in recent years. According to Yahoo Finance, 52% of parents say they spend more than $1,000 per year on their children’s hobbies. Sports like horseback riding and karate help kids burn off energy and develop self-confidence and discipline, so the expense is definitely worth it. Although these 10 extracurricular activities for kids will drain your wallet, you’ll love watching your child play or perform so much that you won’t mind!
Horseback Riding
According to the Louisiana Federal Credit Union, horseback riding costs an average of $2,000 to $5,000 per year. But speaking from personal experience, that estimate may be on the low side if you plan to buy your child a horse. Between lesson costs, farrier and vet visits, and boarding and competition fees, owning a horse costs at least ten thousand dollars per year. Ouch!
However, if you can afford it, this hobby is a wonderful way to teach your kids responsibility and help them stay active. Students learn to care for their horses by picking out their feet, grooming them, and bathing them. English-style riding and dressage are difficult to master and require a great deal of discipline and physical exertion. Plus, riding and bonding with a horse is very therapeutic and can help your child cope with stress.
Figure Skating
Figure skating is one of the most expensive extracurricular activities for kids, especially if your child has dreams of competing on the national stage. Competing in the sport can cost upwards of $35,000 per year according to Money.com. Specialized, experienced coaches often charge $60 to $120 per hour for lessons. Skaters also have to pay for their practice time on the ice, competition fees, costumes, and choreography. Some skaters even cross-train as dancers to improve their technique.
If you can afford these costs, figure skating can be an incredibly enriching endeavor for your child. It’s both an art and a sport, allowing kids to express themselves creatively while building self-confidence and physical ability. When your child steps out on the ice with confidence and flair, the financial outlay will definitely feel worth it!
Ice Hockey
If you’re looking for cheap extracurricular activities for kids, unfortunately, ice hockey doesn’t fit the bill. If your child wants to play competitively, you’ll likely spend $2,500 per year or more on equipment, travel, lessons, and other costs. Player registration alone, (which is required to participate in competitions) costs over $600. Although ice hockey is a pricey activity, it will help teach your child how to cooperate with others and manage their time. Balancing competitions with homework will help your child learn to prioritize and work efficiently.
Skiing or Snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding are popular options for winter extracurricular activities for kids, but did you know on average it will cost $2250 per season? Your child will likely outgrow equipment like skis and snow pants every other season. Lift tickets can also be pricey depending on your location. Some resorts have free tickets for kids under a certain age or offer early bird specials, helping families save money. You may also spend a lot of time and gas traveling to ski resorts unless you have a hill nearby.
Fortunately, there are upsides to snowboarding and skiing. Your child will need fewer lessons than in most other activities, potentially just one or two a season. Plus, this sport is a great way to keep kids active after most summer and fall activities have ended.
Karate
Karate and similar martial arts are very popular options to keep kids active while teaching them self-control and personal strength. However, keep in mind that instruction costs can vary, ranging from just $50 per month to over $200 depending on the dojo. And if your child becomes interested in pursuing martial arts on a competitive level, private lessons and tournaments can quickly inflate your annual costs to $2,000. But the values that karate instills, such as respect and perseverance, are definitely worth the cost.
Piano
Piano is one of the most common extracurricular activities for kids, and for good reason. Learning to play the piano pushes our brain, and studies have shown that children who play music have higher IQs and improved performance in math and reading. Playing the piano is a skill that will stay with your child for life and is a very fun talent to show off. Before signing your child up for lessons, it’s important to understand the costs associated.
Your child will likely need weekly lessons to progress, which can add up to $3000 per year or more. Your child will also need access to a piano to practice outside of lessons. An upright is usually best for serious young pianists but can cost upwards of $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the brand. Upright pianos also require regular maintenance and tuning, so don’t forget to factor piano servicing fees into your cost estimate.
Golf
Golf.com has done a great job breaking down the costs for a child to learn to golf and become competitive at it. If your child just wants to learn casually and can find an older set of clubs, you are likely looking at about $1,000 for the season. This cost estimate includes start-up costs, tee times, and a basic lesson or two. If your child becomes competitive and attends tournaments, the costs can skyrocket.
From weekly lessons to equipment and travel, parents can be looking at a $20,000 bill per season. With all of that said golf is a great option when looking at extracurricular activities for kids. It gets your child outside and encourages sociability while being less dangerous than other contact sports like football. Learning to golf at a young age can even lead to fun summer jobs like being a caddy in high school. Plus, knowing how to golf can benefit your child’s career as it’s a common networking activity in the business world.
Tennis
Tennis is a great option when looking at summertime extracurricular activities for kids. It keeps kids active and improves hand-eye coordination, balance, and agility. Depending on how seriously your child decides to pursue tennis, you may not need to pay for too many lessons either. If this is just a casual summer sport, a single season of weekend camps can be enough to solidify basic skills.
If your child starts to pursue tennis competitively, expect costs to rise. Growing kids will need new tennis equipment and clothing more often than adults. Altogether, the cost of private lessons, tournaments, travel, and camps can add up to $1,100 or more each season.
Dance
Dance is one of the most popular extracurricular activities for kids, especially girls. It’s a fun way for kids to burn off energy, improve their physical fitness, and express their creativity. Similar to horseback riding, mastering different dance styles and learning routines requires dedication and practice, teaching your child the value of hard work.
However, the benefits of dance come at a cost. On average, parents spend between $60 and $150 per month on lessons. You’ll also have to cover the cost of footwear, clothing, and competition fees. But luckily shopping at discount dancewear stores can help you save money. Some dance studios also host fundraisers to help offset the cost of competing.
Sailing
If you live near the water and have a local program offering sailing camps for children, you may be able to get away with paying under $200 for weekly lessons and races spanning most of the season. Compared to some other options on this list, that is a downright bargain. Unfortunately, as your child progresses and gets older, these lessons quickly increase in price. Learning on larger boats with more rigorous programs like American Sailing can start costing over $500 just for a day or two on the water.
While your child can then potentially crew on other’s boats for races and similar events, this may spark a desire to buy a boat as an adult, which is prohibitively expensive. From docking and seasonal maintenance to repairs and recurring costs, owning a boat can cost $10,000 per year or more. However, the health benefits of sailing make this hobby worth it. Getting out on the water is a great way to reduce stress, build muscle and bone strength, promote heart health, and learn to collaborate well with other crew members.
Do you think the cost of extracurricular activities for kids is worth it? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Vicky Monroe is a freelance personal finance writer who enjoys learning about and discussing the psychology of money. In her free time, she loves to cook and tackle DIY projects.
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