To lie about his age for free admission?

[WaitForCake]

It's DS's 3rd birthday in a couple of weeks. I'm taking him to an attraction.

It's free for under 3s, but adult price at 3 upwards. Money is tight, but after a tough few months between lockdown and his DF moving out after our split, I want to do something nice for him.
As there is no inherent difference in what he'll get from the experience the day before his birthday and on the day of his birthday, WIBU to just buy him a 2 year old ticket?

I can't take him the day earlier due to work (I did consider this already).

YANBU - get the 2 year old ticket
YABU - pay the adult price for him

[LolaSkoda]

Yanbu

[Rememberallball]

I see if you can take him somewhere that doesn’t charge adult prices for a 3 year old.

[purpleboy]

As the margins are so tight I would just say he is 2. Sounds like you all deserve a treat.

[AskingforaBaskin]

YANBU

[AryaStarkWolf]

YANBU, an adult ticket for 3 years up is a bit steep

[Alloftheboys]

How likely is it that he’ll blab that he’s 3?

[WaitForCake]

He specifically asked for this attraction after seeing it on TV. Granted, he'll be 3 and if I just start talking about somewhere else he might forget but he can be quite one-track minded so I think he'll still keep reminding me about it if I don't take him.

[Ponoka7]

I totally agree with you doing this. It's a complete rip off. We are looking at AI for next year and the primary age children are the same price as Adults.

Pricing used to be a lot fairer.

[BobbieDraper]

I just dont think it's right.

You can argue all you like about the venue arbitrarily choosing 3 as the payment age, or about the difference between 2 and 364 days old and 3 years old but the bottom line is, they are a business and they choose the terms. It is your choice to go or not to go once you know the terms; if you dont like them, then dont go. No one is forcing you. But dont go and steal a day in the park. It is theft.

Your son will surely be able to do more activities than he could 6 months ago, at aged 2. The park have to choose a cut off for when children will start using more of the activities, and 3 is a reasonable age for their movement and strength etc.

I just think its wrong; all these places have been closed for months. Many will be really struggling. To steal from them isnt right.

I know a whole bunch of people will say it's fine, and I'm guessing those are the responses you will pay most attention to, but it doesnt make theft ok.

[notanothertakeaway]

YABU and you know it

Hope he enjoys his birthday, but it's not on to lie

[WaitForCake]

@Alloftheboys

How likely is it that he’ll blab that he’s 3?

Good question! He's already going round telling people he's 3 now and he's not quite there yet.

[nettytree]

I remember on my 5th birthday, I got on the bus and told the driver. My mum was not happy she had to pay the child fare then. Make sure your child keeps quiet and not wear any age badges.

[PleasePassTheCoffeeThanks]

For the sake of 1 day... most people would do it (but won't admit it on MN!). Especially if from 3y they have to pay adult price.

[converseandjeans]

YANBU
I find MN ridiculous - someone claims benefits fraudulently and apparently that's OK and people should keep out of it. Yet this is always judged as being out of order.

[GetUpAgain]

Of course buy him the cheaper ticket. No one in their right mind would begrudge this. It is perfectly fine. Have a lovely time!

[AryaStarkWolf]

@notanothertakeaway

YABU and you know it

Hope he enjoys his birthday, but it's not on to lie

for fucks sake

[Mywifeandkids1]

Considering business’s will be really suffering atm, I just couldn’t do it personally!

[paintedsmile77]

I wouldn't think twice, lie.

[FrugiFan]

You could get away with it but personally I dont think I could as I would feel too guilty about lying.

Our local theme park charges for children over 1m, rather than by age. It does make sense as they can actually check it whereas by age then it's easy to lie and I'm sure a lot of people do. Also you can go on nesrly all the rides when you're 1m so its s bit more logical whereas 3 is arbitrary really.

[Pinkchocolate]

Everyone I know has done this at least once! If your son says he’s three, laugh along and say “yes, next week you are three”. YANBU. Enjoy your day.

[BobbieDraper]

There are plenty of place which have adult and child prices, and there are plenty of place which have the same price for adults and children.

At a park, the kids really get the same enjoyment (sometimes more) as the adults get, so charging the same price really isnt unreasonable.

There is an amusement park in the valley near me, and its £10 for adults and children. When it opened, nobody was complaining about the prices.


The place you want to go is a private business. It's not a right. It isnt something being provided by the government for all. It's a business.

In the rest if your life, when you cant afford something.. do you lie and steal to get it? Because that is what you're doing. Just because it isnt a physical item, doesnt change that.

Do it if you want too, but dont pretend it isnt stealing.

[BiggerBoat1]

I can see how its tempting but it is essentially theft. Attractions have had weeks and weeks of closure during what should have been their busiest time. Their employees are probably facing tough times too and they're not out of the woods yet. Not all of these attractions will survive which means not all of the people who work at these places will keep their jobs and they must be as worried about money as you are. Do the right thing and pay the right price. If you can't afford to go, then plan a treat for your DS that you can afford.

[PumpkinP]

I did this till my son was about 5, use to have a double buggy so I stuck him in the bottom seat with a blanket over him 😂. Would still do it now (he is 6) if I still had the double, always got away with it.

[WaitForCake]

If we are talking about businesses needing money, isn't it better they get one full paying adult over not having a booking? It's on a standard working day and there's loads of tickets available so in that sense, having some income is better than none.

(Yes, I know I'm clutching at straws here).

[ThePlantsitter]

What time of day was he born?

Mumsnet always says an aghast 'no' to this stuff but yes of course you should do it. They should have a more sensible pricing structure.