It might be summer, but with football season right around the corner, it’s not too early to start thinking about taking care of your child’s equipment needs. Once August rolls around, parents and their kids are going to flock to sporting goods stores to get some gear, so beginning your search now could save a lot of headaches down the road.

Although your child may want to have that extra-special accessory to look cool or might want to get a fancier pair of cleats, it’s very realistic for a parent to put that shopping list together and not break the bank. In fact, if you have a budget, there are things to splurge on and things where you can take a more economical approach.

RELATED CONTENT: 5 youth sports costs that may surprise you

Are you the parent of a youth, middle school or high school football player who’s looking for more tips or resources? Check out our Parent Guide, Parents 101 course, nutritious recipes and more.

The first thing you need to do is know what your child’s program is supplying. Generally, a football team or program will supply a helmet, shoulder pads, pants, jersey and mouthpiece, but you may want to consider upgrades on your dime as you see fit. You may already know what kind of equipment is issued from previous experience, but if you’re new to the program, you should find out what they are supplying in terms of brand and condition.

The easiest piece of equipment to upgrade is probably the mouthpiece. Programs generally distribute a rather inexpensive mouthpiece, so go your local sporting good store and see if there’s a more durable and respected brand. There are several different versions and colors, so your child should have no problem finding something that will both feel comfortable and look good.  

RELATED CONTENT: The 3 best ways to get rid of gently used youth sports equipment

When it comes to pants, many programs require you to return them at the end of the season, so it’s very possible that your child is going to be issued pants that may have been worn previously over several seasons. If the pants the team supplies are not new or your child is just not comfortable with how they fit, there are sporting goods stores that sell them, and they tend to range in price. If you get a good pair from the program, you might want to consider buying another pair so your child has a pair for practice and a pair for the game. 

It goes without saying that shoulder pads are an essential part of football equipment and they really need to be as high-quality as possible, in good condition, and they need to fit correctly. If you know the program has quality shoulder pads, it’s probably not something to worry about until they are distributed. If you’re not happy with what is being offered, then shopping around for a personal set for your child is something to think about.

RELATED CONTENT: Prep for the Season: Football equipment checklist for parents and coaches

When it comes to cleats, this is really the area where the kids want to look good. Let’s face it … walk into any sporting goods store and you’ll see a wide variety of styles and colors. The kids see their favorite players on TV and they want to wear the same cleats. Unfortunately, some of these cleats can be a little pricey, and while it may not be a problem for some families, many families are operating under a budget. We’ve always been able to find brand-name cleats that look good and fit well if you shop around. 

Try to find cleats that were new styles last year but are on sale or clearance this year. If they fit and your child likes the style, what difference does it make if they were released this year or last year?

The helmet is the most important piece of equipment. This is the biggest inquiry that you can have for a program. The helmet is so important, helmet quality should be a determining factor in what league you want to register your child. What kind of helmets do you use? What’s that helmet’s consumer rating? Are they recertified and/or reconditioned each year?  How old are they? Parents have to do their homework on helmets. If you’re not satisfied with what the program has to offer, you owe it your children to buy your children their own helmet. How much you spend is really up to what you can do, but there are certainly better options than whatever a program is offering, and they vary depending on what you can afford. 

Before you know it, football season will be here and you want your child to be ready to step on the field. Safety is the most important aspect of equipment, but a kid also wants to look good, so getting a jump on lining everything up now is a good idea for the youth football parent. 

Peter Schwartz is a sports anchor for the CBS Sports Radio Network, FOX News Headlines 24/7 and WCBS 880 Radio in New York. His older son Bradley will be playing middle school football on Long Island this fall, while his younger son Jared plays flag football. Peter, his wife Sheryl and the boys are busy cheering on the New York Jets when they’re not at a youth football field.