Consumer Expenditure Survey · BLS CE 2024

Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending

U.S. households spent $189/yr on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment in 2024 - 0.2% of the average budget . Up 4.4% vs 2023 ; the top income quintile outspends the bottom by 5.6×. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

2024 avg
$189
Budget share
0.2%
vs 2023
+4.4%

CES spend plate

Line TOYS-HOBBIES-AND-P · Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment $189 · 0.2%

SHARE-TRACE · QUINT-ELITE · YOY-UP · REAL-EASE · REGION-WEST · BOOK-LOWER

  • SHARE-TRACE 0.2% of budget
  • QUINT-ELITE 5.6× Q5/Q1
  • YOY-UP +4.4% YoY
  • REAL-EASE Below CPI
  • REGION-WEST West leads
  • BOOK-LOWER #85/99 dollars

Nearest dollar peer: Pets (+$691)

Instrument codes from this line’s budget share, income-quintile gap, YoY move, real change vs ~21% CPI-U (2020-2024), regional lead, and corpus book size, not a budgeting recommendation.

Spend neighbourhood around Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment

Lowest and highest poles plus nearest dollar peers among sibling lines, not a full-board reprint. Figures from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey.

Dollar neighbourhood · Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment

Average annual spending · 2024 · poles + near peers

Source: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey As of 2024-12-31

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Spending Trend (2020–2024)

Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending per household, 2020–2024

National average annual spending

Source: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey As of 2024-12-31

$160$170$180$190$200$210 20202021202220232024 $189
Year Annual Amount
2024 $189
2023 $181
2022 $167
2021 $199
2020 $170

Income stretch on a smaller toys, hobbies, and playground equipment line

A smaller CES line: even the top quintile is $390/yr, with the bottom at $70 (5.6× gap).

Income Group Annual Amount
Lowest 20% $70
Second 20% $116
Middle 20% $169
Fourth 20% $197
Highest 20% $390

See full income breakdown →

West leads toys, hobbies, and playground equipment geographically

West leads at $250/yr.

Region Annual Amount
Midwest $202
Northeast $178
South $152
West $250

See full regional breakdown →

Lifecycle peak · 25–34

25–34 heads spend the most on this line at $307/yr - the lifecycle peak on a smaller book line.

Age Group Annual Amount
25–34 $307
35–44 $245
45–54 $239
55–64 $137
65–74 $121
75 and older $63
Under 25 $134

See full age breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions (show 6)
How much does the average household spend on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment?
The average American household spent $189 on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment in 2024, according to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. This represents 0.2% of total household spending.
Is toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending increasing?
Toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending increased by 4.4% from 2023 to 2024 ($181 to $189). Over 5 years (2020–2024), it changed by +11.2%.
How does income affect toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending?
The lowest income quintile spends $70/year on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment, while the highest quintile spends $390/year, a 5.6x difference. Higher-income households spend more in absolute terms but may allocate a smaller share of their budget.
Which region spends the most on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment?
The West region spends the most at $250/year, while the South region spends the least at $152/year on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment.
Which age group spends the most on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment?
Households headed by someone in the 25–34 age group spend the most on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment at $307/year.
Does household size affect toys, hobbies, and playground equipment spending?
Yes. 1 Person households spend $82/year on toys, hobbies, and playground equipment, while 4 People households spend $377/year. Larger households generally spend more in absolute terms on most categories.

Other smaller CES lines near toys, hobbies, and playground equipment

Dollar-amount and budget-share neighbours from BLS CE 2024 (this category excluded).

Similar dollar amount

Nearest other categories by 2024 average annual spending ($189 here).

Category 2024 avg
Processed fruits and vegetables $203
Laundry and cleaning products $209
Small appliances and miscellaneous housewares $155
Fish and seafood $224
Other meats $150
Sugar and other sweets $230
Medical supplies $233
Fresh milk and cream $141

Similar budget share

Nearest other categories by share of the household budget (0.2% here).

Category Budget share
Fats and oils 0.2%
Fresh milk and cream 0.2%
Fuel oil and other fuels 0.2%
Other meats 0.2%
Postage and stationery 0.2%
Reading 0.2%
Small appliances and miscellaneous housewares 0.2%
Cereals and cereal products 0.3%

Average household budget · Methodology · BLS CEX source

Informational only - not advice. See disclaimer.

Every figure on PlainHousehold is rendered directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.