What to Buy
What you actually need, by sport and age.
Honest starter kits for the activities your kid is doing. Real cost ranges. How to choose between options. Written by parents who have already bought the wrong thing at least twice.
Sports
Baseball
Glove, bat, helmet, cleats. Tee-ball through middle school.
Basketball
Shoes, ball, athletic gear. Indoor sport, low overhead.
Crew
Most gear is club-provided. What you actually buy: a few specific things.
Cross country
Trainers, racing flats, layered cold-weather kit.
Flag football
Mouthguard, cleats, gloves. No pads, no helmet.
Golf
A starter set, gloves, balls. Used clubs are fine.
Gymnastics
Leotards, grips, tape. Most apparatus stays at the gym.
Hockey
Skates, helmet, stick, full pads. Plan for serious investment.
Lacrosse
Stick, helmet, gloves, pads. Boys and girls gear differs.
Martial arts
Gi, belt, mouthguard. Discipline differs by style.
Soccer
Cleats, shin guards, ball, water bottle.
Softball
Mostly the same as baseball, with a few specific tweaks.
Swimming
Suit, cap, goggles. The cheapest sport on the list.
Tackle football
Helmet, pads, cleats. The most equipment-heavy youth sport.
Tennis
Racket, shoes, balls. Stringing matters more than you think.
Track and field
Spikes by event. Sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps, throws.
Volleyball
Shoes, knee pads, ball. Indoor and beach variants.
Performing arts & activities
Ballet
Slippers, leotard, tights. Pointe later, on the teacher's timeline.
Band
Instrument, reeds, accessories. Rent before you buy.
Cheerleading
Shoes, bow, practice clothes. Competition uniforms via the team.
Choir
Almost no equipment. The list is short and cheap.
Dance
Shoes, leotards, tights, recital costumes. Style-specific.
Stunt and tumbling
Mat shoes, bracing, athletic tape. The tumbling-track essentials.
Theater
School plays, community theater. Mostly time, less equipment.
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