Your local library likely offers children's programs free of charge, as may your parks department. Consider checking your local parks department for extracurricular activities, sports, and summer day camps. Often, these programs will be less expensive than private options. In many areas, the YMCA is another good choice for affordable children's activities. If you have an area arts council or art museum, you may be pleasantly surprised by the array of arts related children's activities for a low cost. Team sports, played for a public league in a non-competitive way, may be less expensive than some alternatives.  

While choosing lower cost activities is one way to save, another is to simply limit your children's activities. Today's kids are busier than ever, and high gasoline costs make these activities more costly than ever before. You may find it helpful to restrict children to a single activity each, or combine activities when possible to keep things affordable. Some places even offer sibling or family discounts that may help you save. Family memberships can also reduce the costs of some activities.  

Lower income families may find that scholarships are available to reduce the expense of some children's activities. While it can seem difficult to choose to apply, if paying for additional classes or lessons would be a financial hardship, consider seeing if you qualify for financial aid at the YMCA, a local community center for after school care. Making use of these programs may allow you to offer your children opportunities you otherwise could not.