To say 3 year old DC is 2 for free theme park entry?

exactly !

Yes people do this, my DD was small too and I said she was still 2 until she was 3.5 then felt too guilty!

I am less than 5ft, I took my DC and a friend to a theme park once, I'm a bit of a wimp so I don't generally get my moneys worth from that type of thing. I lined up with DD and friend to go on the log flume and the man said they had to come back with an adult! 🤣

Yes we do this, my DD is tiny and the difference at our local zoo is literally £37!! If you are over 2 you are an adult apparently 🤷‍♀️

Ofc. Go for it

I would

It’s insane you’d even bother to ask this on mumsnet. This place is like a parallel universe sometimes

I was getting on the tour bus in Liverpool with my sons and was asked the age of the youngest one.

"He's seven" I said, being honest.
"No," said the driver, spreading the fingers of one hand out. "HOW old is he?"
Me, catching on, "Oh, he's five"
"Then he travels for free" said the driver, God bless him.

Of course, DS then pipes up indignantly, "I'm not five"

They still let him on for free. I love Liverpool.

do it

My three year old is particularly tiny - they took one look at her and said she’s one in their eyes so she could go free ….

I wouldn’t mind doing this as it’s not like they will be getting much use out of the place/rides anyway. If they want to charge for 3 year olds then they should provide lots for them to do, bet they don’t.
Im still annoyed we had to pay for a full child ticket for DD in some gardens with a play area for older children when she was 1. She was asleep in her pushchair the entire time.

I'm going to a soft play area next week. Children are 10, 9, 7 and 16 months. Price is £6.95 aged one and above. Youngest was 10 weeks prem si looks around 10 months. Won't be paying, she's not even walking and will either be asleep or on my lap!

Not even remotely true. Their public liability and the amount you pay at the entrance have nothing to do with one another.

We was in a resteraunt last night and the kids menu stopped aged ten, DS turned 11 a couple of weeks ago, we said he was 10, he wouldn’t eat an adults portion.

If your child is small for her age she probably won’t be able to go on many rides either.

I also hate how theme parks don’t have a spectator pass, I hate going to just be the donkey who Carrie things whilst everyone else is on the rides and pay a privilege for it!!

I’ve been there!

Three days after my son turned 4, my cousin asked him how old he was:

”I’m 4 but I’m 3 when we’re riding Thomas The Tank Engine”

It was twice as much to ride Thomas at 4 than it was at 3. I’d be damned if I’m paying an extra tenner for the sake of three days.

Doesn't everyone do this?

I was a tall child so faking a younger age wasn't especially believable. But I can remember being taught by my mum 'if anyone asks you are 4 (or whatever was the qualifying age for discount)'

I also don’t agree with it being height based as just because a young child is taller mean they are mature enough to want to go on a ride.

The point of charging by height is they could go on the ride though if they wanted to. A child who is older but smaller isn't actually allowed on the rides so they are being charged more but able to use less of the facilities and depending on the theme park there's normally a large proportion of stuff shorter children can't use which is pretty crap if they've paid the same price as a much older child who can use the whole park.

I am the type of person who will point out I have been given too much change, I prefer to be honest.

But I have done what you are going to do. If I paid more at the gate, then I had less to spend inside, at the gift shop for example, so I was telling DS "no, sorry, can't afford it". But if I paid less at the gate then I had more money to spend inside. My DS got a better experience as he came away with stuff from the gift shop and had ice creams and lunch etc.

I probably ended up spending more overall when I paid less at the gate.

Would you also steal from a shop if you knew you wouldn’t be caught?

There is no difference.

I more than make up for a free child by having to pay a full adult price and not going on any rides. So in my eyes they're quids in.

lol at it's only 'a few bob extra'. Throw a few notes my way will you?

Absolutely go for it. Especially if there isn’t many rides for the 3 year old to go on.

It’s one of the perks of having a tiny toddler

I have problems as my DC are all very tall and look much older. I have been asked on a couple of occasions when I hadn’t paid for my two year old as he looked well over three. I also don’t agree with it being height based as just because a young child is taller mean they are mature enough to want to go on a ride. I have always been honest to teach my children honestly but it is up to you really.

I paid the proper price for small grandchildren last summer, never occurred to me not to do so. Then got absolutely fleeced for ridiculously priced ice cream and soft drinks. I shall think twice next time

🙄

Sorry, but I’m appalled by the casual dishonesty people are displaying. If you think theme parks are extortionately priced and the food and drink are daylight robbery, then don’t go - but don’t use it as a justification for being dishonest, and saving a few bob in an entry ticket.