How much do you spend on your children's hobbies?

Former_MSE_Molly

The kids are nicely settled back at school... And then the dreaded forms arrive.

"Ballet, football, cricket, hockey, swimming, drama - sign up to us all!", they read.

But does it have to be pricey?

We want to know what activities your children get involved in, and how much they cost?

Are there any hobbies you say no to, because they're just too much money? Or find the cost goes up annually?

Or have you been lucky in finding a reasonably priced activity?

Do you know of any MoneySaving ways to pay for your children's hobbies?

Maybe the same activity cost much less in another part of town? Are newbies given a percentage off?

Leave your thoughts below - we're interested to know if you have any hobby hacks up your sleeves!

- MSE Molly

[purplesignup][/purplesignup]

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

strawb_shortcake

My Husband and I volunteer with the local scout group, this has meant that we are exempt from monthly subs saving £36 per month, we pay for all their trips.
Further benefit is the transferable skills to the work place and getting to join in with all the fun thst they are having. Abseiling, climbing, archery, scuba diving, sailing are some of the activities we've been able to do would recommend it 110%

Daughter used to have riding lessons, thankfully stopped before she got any good for it to be very expensive but there was the option for them to work and learn in the stables to earn their riding lessons.

dsab

Our motto has always to let them try, and if they are really into it then we don't really mind the price.



We have 2 daughters and they are mad into gymnastics, both in a regional squad involving 10 hours of training a week etc. In addition to that they also play Football and an Instrument and swim. So it actually really adds up:


- Gymnastics £240 a month
- Swimming about £30 a month
- Football £100 a year
- Music lessons £100 a month


And that doesn't include any of the equipment (last gym leotards cost in excess of £90 each), or the trips involving hotel stays to competitions, or the music exams and books etc. So on average we probably spend £600 on the kids activities a month. A lot of money, but in our eyes well worth it. We have had very little scope to save by moving them to another club, but we get family discount at all the activities, as both girls are doing it.



The only rule is that as soon as they slack around on any of those activities, then we won't be paying for it anymore. Either have a proper go at it, or don't do it at all.

thriftylass

We are restraint by working full time so it's mostly clubs in school during afterschool club hours (these are either free or cost about £10 a month. Both go horse riding only once a month (£20 each) as they are aware it's expensive and it won't become a proper hobby. And that's it. Still on the waiting list for scouts etc so no cost yet. We tell them what the options are which are very limited anyway due to our hours. Most clubs are 3 or 4 pm when we work or in the middle of the weekend so not an option. Saves a ton of money

kingfisherblue

Mine are all adults now, but my daughter was a Brownie and a Guide. My son were Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts. Very affordable activities, and they learned life skills, tried a wide variety of activities that I couldn't otherwise have afforded, and had a great time.



I started volunteering for Guiding when my daughter was a Brownie - I didn't know that Rainbows existed. Almost twenty years later, I'm still a leader, and my daughter is also a volunteer with the same two units. My younger son has just started volunteering with Scouts. My older son is disabled, so unable to volunteer due to needing so much care.


Our Rainbows and Brownies pay £15 per half term, so a total of £90 a year, for subs. Uniform is extra, but we have some good quality used uniform that can be purchased for a donation. Trips are extra, but we keep them as low cost as possible.



If anyone is interested in Guiding or Scouting for their child, I would put their names down early. In my area, Guiding has waiting lists for most units.

Mrs_Soup

One of mine has done almost no out of school activities (but now has an expensive mountain biking habit) but the other does loads. Gymnastics, choir and swimming lessons all about £70 each per term plus this term he is doing glow in the dark dodgeball- another 70ish. Altogether that is about £300 a term. That is a new one though and may be a one off. He also does cubs (older one scouts) but as husband and I are leaders we don't pay subs for them but do seem to spend quite a bit on materials for the pack which never seem get reclaimed in full so it evens out. I did no out of school activities as a child as my parents were always saying we couldn't afford it so I'm inclined to let my children try things and see how they like it.

DevilsAdvocate1

We spend about £400 a month on my youngest's hobbies plus extra for competitions. TBH, I don't want to add it all up as I know it is alot.

caprikid1

No one who's child has a horse is yet to comment !

onomatopoeia99

caprikid1 wrote: »

No one who's child has a horse is yet to comment !

Unless they are on full livery at £££££ they'll be too busy picking stones out of hooves and mucking out to read forums :rotfl:

gollygosh

Horsey owner here, why oh why did I say yes to those huge, gorgeous, smelly, expensive, hay munchers.....oh yes it’s cause we love them ��

zagfles

We gave ours an allowance, around £120 a month, sounds a lot but it covered everything like clothes, mobiles, hobbies, school trips etc and they had to budget for themselves. Really helped when they went to uni, some of their friends were completely clueless and blew all their loan/overdraft in a few weeks on rubbish as they hasn't learnt how to manage money.