Back-to-school season means more than buying notebooks, backpacks, and new clothes, since many families are also preparing for another round of team fees, uniforms, equipment, practices, and games. With everyday costs putting pressure on household budgets, parents are looking for places to spend less without pulling their kids out of activities they enjoy.
A KPMG Consumer Pulse Back-to-School survey found that 7 in 10 families planned for their children to participate in sports during the 2026 school year. The findings also point to changes in family spending, with many parents cutting back on dining out, personal entertainment, and travel to help cover school-year costs.
Kids’ Sports Are Staying in the Budget
Outdoor sports were the most common school-related activity in the survey, with 43% of respondents reporting participation. Soccer ranked first among outdoor sports, followed by baseball and softball, while basketball was the leading indoor sport.
The cost of playing goes beyond team registration, since children may also need new uniforms, shoes, equipment, and extra coaching. Nearly one in four respondents said their children’s activities had led them to buy sports apparel more often, and among children taking part in extracurricular training or tutoring, 42% received sports training or coaching.
Related: 10 Reasons Why Your Child Might Get Sick Frequently
Dining Out Is One of the First Things Families Are Cutting
Restaurant meals are an easy place to trim spending as school routines pick up again. About half of consumers with children returning to school said they expected to eat out less often, while just 12% planned to dine out more.
Saving money was the main reason respondents gave for cutting back on restaurant visits. Cooking at home more often can leave families with extra room in the budget for school supplies, sports fees, and other expenses that come up during the year.
Related: If You Remember These 17 Things, You’re a True Child of the 70s
Weeknight Meals Are Getting Simpler
Busy evenings leave less time for complicated dinners, especially when children have practices or games after school. In the survey, 48% of respondents said they expected to prepare simpler meals with fewer ingredients and shorter cooking times.
Nearly one-third also planned to cook in batches or prepare meals ahead of time. For parents juggling work, school, and sports schedules, a simple meal at home can help keep food costs down without adding another long task to the day.
Related: Storybook Magic at Oakland’s Children’s Fairyland
Personal Entertainment Is Also Taking a Hit
Dining out isn’t the only expense families are looking to reduce, since personal leisure and entertainment are also on the list of planned cuts. Parents may choose to spend less on their own outings and optional purchases so their children can continue playing on a team or taking lessons.
Those decisions can mean fewer movie nights, concerts, or paid activities for adults in the household. The trade-off depends on each family’s budget, but the survey suggests that some parents are willing to give up personal extras to cover their children’s activities.
Related: 7 Forgotten Corners in Your Home That Could Store So Much More
Some Families Are Pulling Back on Travel
Vacations and other trips can take up a large part of a family’s budget, making travel another area parents may reconsider. Some survey respondents said they planned to spend less on trips or put travel plans off to help manage school-year expenses.
For these households, keeping a child in sports may take precedence over a getaway or a weekend trip. Families can still plan time together, but they may choose shorter outings or less expensive activities closer to home.
Higher Prices Are Adding Pressure Elsewhere
Sports and school costs are rising alongside the price of everyday necessities, leaving families with less room for optional spending. KPMG reported that back-to-school spending was expected to increase in 2026, with nearly 80% of parents who anticipated spending more blaming higher prices rather than plans to buy more items.
Groceries, gas, and vehicle maintenance are also competing for a share of each paycheck. When those bills take up more money, parents may have to rethink restaurant visits, trips, and other purchases to keep the household budget in check.
Parents Are Making Room for What Matters to Them
The survey suggests that families are choosing where to cut back instead of reducing every expense by the same amount. For parents who value their children’s sports participation, that may mean keeping team fees and equipment in the budget while spending less on dining out, entertainment, and travel.
