I paid $2,292 for my kids' after-school activities last year — and that was just the starting price

The author said she allows her children to play only one sport a season to help keep costs manageable for her family.

Courtesy of Rachel Morgan Cautero.

Families spend thousands each year on youth sports and after-school activities.

We only allow our kids to play one sport a season, but they also take piano lessons and are Scouts.

I've found a few ways to help keep the costs of extracurriculars down for us.

Youth sports is now a $40 billion industry, and the average family spent $1,016 on their child's primary sport in 2024, a 45% increase from just five years ago, according to Aspen Institute's Project Play .

When I saw this number, I almost laughed.

Last season, we spent $2,292 on extracurricular activities for our two boys, ages 6 and 8.

And this just covered registration fees and uniforms.

The real total we're paying is far higher.

As a mom of multiple kids, I couldn't help but feel that the cost of kids' sports has become completely out of reach for many families.

We've found ways to save, but it's still a big commitment.

The costs add up quickly Here's how it breaks down for our family.

In the fall, our youngest played t-ball, which had a $98 registration fee, our cheapest activity by far, though it didn't include the cost of cleats, helmets, or bats.