Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment Spending
How much American households spend on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment — 2024 data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
Spending Insight: Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment
American households spent an average of $189 on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment in 2024, representing 0.2% of total consumer expenditures. This marks a notable 4.4% increase from 2023 ($181), outpacing general inflation and suggesting growing consumer prioritization of this category.
Since 2020, toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending has risen by 11.2% (from $170 to $189), broadly tracking with inflation-adjusted cost changes.
Income is the strongest predictor of toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending: the top income quintile spends $390/year versus $70 for the lowest quintile — a 5.6x gap. Regionally, the West spends the most ($250/year) while the South spends the least ($152/year). Use the cross-cuts below — by income, region, age, household size, and housing tenure — to see which demographic factors drive this category hardest for your situation.
Spending Trend (2020–2024)
| Year | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $189 |
| 2023 | $181 |
| 2022 | $167 |
| 2021 | $199 |
| 2020 | $170 |
By Income Level (2024)
How toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending varies across income quintiles
| Income Group | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| Lowest 20% | $70 |
| Second 20% | $116 |
| Middle 20% | $169 |
| Fourth 20% | $197 |
| Highest 20% | $390 |
By Region (2024)
Geographic variation in toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending
By Age Group (2024)
How toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending changes across the lifecycle
By Household Size (2024)
| Size | Annual |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $82 |
| 2 People | $234 |
| 3 People | $154 |
| 4 People | $299 |
| 5 or More | $377 |
By Housing Tenure (2024)
| Tenure | Annual |
|---|---|
| Homeowner (with mortgage) | $222 |
| Homeowner (no mortgage) | $266 |
| Renter | $153 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the average household spend on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment? ▼
Is toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending increasing? ▼
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Which age group spends the most on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment? ▼
Does household size affect toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending? ▼
Spending Guides
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
