How to save money going to the fair this summer

The late summer and fall means back-to-school, but also dozens of fall fairs in various communities throughout the country. While these events can be a great way to spend a family afternoon out, they are also notorious budget-busters.

Planning on taking the kids to the fair? Here are some tips to help keep your spending under control.

Check the schedule

Fairs tend to be pricier on the weekends, but often offer the same attractions and many of the same shows earlier in the week. If fair hopping is in your schedule, it’s worth taking a day off work. You skip the crowds and the lineups.

Eat at home

Who doesn’t love a good funnel cake? The thing with fair food is it isn’t usually great quality but is almost always very expensive. Save yourself a boatload of cash and eat at home, or travel well stocked with snacks.

If you must indulge, pick one treat. After all, who doesn’t love a good funnel cake?

Your tickets please

No doubt the main attractions at the fair are the rides. If there is some sort of deal that lets you buy a bracelet or a day pass that is usually a cheaper bet. If your kids are really little, you may not even need to spend a lot on rides, so keep that in mind.

The games

Those carnival games are lots of fun, but those stuffed animals aren’t really equitable to the amount of money that you spend trying to win them. And really- who has room for a life-sized stuffy anyways?

Community fairs

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, that still provides some of the fair flavour, seek out community events and fall fairs; these smaller events usually have lots to do for the kids (think pony rides and bouncy castles). No- you don’t have the Midway and the Tilt-a-Whirl, but you don’t have to pay the premium price tag either.