Cost-Savings Strategies for Preschool Families

When it comes to saving money, most preschool families are looking for simple cost-savings strategies. Raising a preschooler can feel like it goes by in a flash, mostly tracked by how quickly they outgrow their clothes, interests and toys. Watching a little person grow up can surprise you in so many ways. And, it can also be surprisingly expensive. 

Saving just $27 per day on small purchases or last-minute deliveries can tally nearly $10,000 in savings over the course of a year. With the right cost-saving strategy, you can make a big impact on your budget. Here are some small, easy-to-implement shifts that can really add up over time.

Six Easy Ways to Cut Costs with Young Children

Check out our top six small shifts that are easy to implement and that can really add up over time.

1. Buy in Bulk: Buy kitchen staples at bulk retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club — pasta, rice, shampoo, packaged snacks, nuts, toilet paper, wipes. With coupons, membership discounts and promotions, savings can be substantial, especially for larger families. The Kitchn compares the two retailers in “Costco vs. Sam’s Club: We Compared Membership Fees, Return Policies, Prices, and Even Food Courts.” 

2. Plan Meals and Stick to an Easy Rotation: Preschool-aged kids can be hard to please in the recipe department. Keep things simple and affordable by planning meals for each week in advance and working with a rotation of 8-10 fan favorites. 

Ideas might include: taco night, stir fry and rice bowls, spaghetti and meatballs, chili or curry, pizza or breakfast for dinner. Whatever your family loves, keeping it in the rotation makes things easy and lightens the weight on you and your wallet. For breakfast, try these Breakfast Ideas for Kids.

3. Buy Clothes Second-Hand or Swap: Waiting for seasonal sales is a great time to stock up on new clothes for your kids. You can also consider finding a local consignment store to drop off old items and purchase new ones. Here are a few of our favorite Denver consignment stores that offer kids items:

• Once Upon a Child (Arvada and Centennial)
• Kid to Kid  (Aurora and Littleton)
• Just Between Friends ( large flea-market style pop-up in Aurora) 
• Arc Thrift Stores Und Goodwill (locations throughout Denver)

Also consider scouring online bargains via Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor and other online sales groups. Often, people offer items for extreme discounts or for free simply to get it out of their houses. 

Hosting a clothing or toy swap can be one of the easiest ways to restock without breaking the bank. Partner with your preschool or arrange an event with a small group of families to organize and exchange clothes, toys and gear. Here are a few tips from Parent Map about “How to Host a Clothing or Toy Swap Party.” 

4. Buy Multi-Use and Neutral Furniture: The desire to buy baby furniture or kid-specific patterns is strong when kids are young, but as they grow, they (and you!) might tire of  (or simply outgrow) those items, colors or patterns. By buying items that can be used for many purposes or altered as tastes change, you can save big money on little furniture. Here are a few examples:

• Buy a neutral (white, black, wood) kids bed, and then swap out a throw pillow, sheets or blanket as tastes change instead of buying a new bed. 
• Buy storage containers that are multi-use like storage ottomans, couches with hidden storage or even bookcases that are not child-specific so they can be used in other parts of the house as needs shift. 
• Try to avoid items that your child will outgrow quickly or that your child may get sick of like sequins, unicorns, robots, etc. That dinosaur chair will be fun for a while, but try a more neutral option that may adjust as your child grows and can be customized with a smaller, more affordable pillow or toy as tastes change. 

5. Embrace DIY: Before you catch yourself buying that kids painting kit or the make-your-own robot set, assess what items you may already have in your house that you can use for free. Toilet paper rolls, crayons, cardboard boxes, rocks and leaves, stickers, flowers, and so many other everyday items can create just as many memorable moments for artistic expression than an expensive pre-made purchase. 

Just like clothing, art consignment and reuse stores are a great place to buy used items for creative projects. ReCreate Denver Und The Craft Box are two Denver favorites. 

Goodwill and ARC stores are also fantastic places for creative ideas–grab old frames, art supplies, decor items, cutting boards, mugs, etc. and create your own project. 

6. Lean into the Library: From arts and crafts to new book purchases, your local library can be a great resource for saving money. Denver Preschool Program has a longstanding partnership with Öffentliche Bibliothek Denver, and the branches across the city offer activities, events and, of course, an endless supply of books matched perfectly for preschool-aged readers. To find a library or free activities and events near you, check out the Denver Public Library Calendar. Also be sure to read our blog post, “Denver Public Library: Space, Activities for All Families, Anytime.”

More Ways Preschool Families Can Save Money

Looking for more tips on how to cut costs? Check out our guide to lowering your preschool costs. Also, be sure to check out our recent blog posts that ensure maximum fun with minimal costs. 

• “Celebrating Preschool Kids: Throwing a Birthday Party on a Budget”
• “Spring Break With Young Kids: Mini Vacations Close to Denver”
• “Denver Art Museum Family-Friendly Programming: Día del Niño Celebration, Create & Play, Summer Camps, and More!”
• “Fun, Affordable Fall Family Activities in Denver, Including Upcoming Free Days”