What can you actually do with a budget of $10 or $50 at the CNE in Toronto?

How much fun can you have at the CNE with a budget of $10, $20, or even $50?

A day at the CNE can really rack up the dollar signs, and between the rising prices of midway games and food stalls, your dollar will get you much less mileage than in previous years.

So how do you spend a day at The Ex without breaking the bank?

Not including admission, we set out to see just how much of the CNE's plentiful food, entertainment, and shopping options you can enjoy with a budget of only $10, $20, or $50.

@blogto This is what $10, $20 and $50 can get you at the CNE 🤑 🎙️🎥 @emm.ohara @antonwongvideo @samkieme 💻 @luiz.strina ♬ original sound - blogTO

Food

Any day at the CNE requires a bit of fuel for your stomach. Cheap, dense foods like pierogies proved popular with our team, though many commenters also suggested the $1.99 pasta stand in the Food Building as a great way to fill up without putting a large dent in your budget.

Entertainment

Some midway games clock in as cheap as 25 cents. Rides, however, will put a $10 or more hit on your wallet, and anyone enjoying the CNE on a budget might want to opt for cheaper quick-hit entertainment with low-cost options like the Bowler Roller game, which will get you four plays for just a dollar.

Shopping

The midway and food may be the main attractions at the CNE, but hundreds of shopping stalls will constantly tempt you with fun and quirky offerings. For the majority of those who will spend most of their budget on midway games, rides, and food, there are still plenty of cheap goods you can score to complete your CNE experience, including art prints and fake flower bouquets.

How do you budget a day at the CNE?