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.

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 quicklyHere'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. And have you seen how expensive bats are? Our oldest skipped sports last fall, so that gave us a bit of a break.

The author said that registration for t-ball was manageable, but the costs of equipment, uniforms, and travel add up quickly.