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Original poster

£15 per child for an hour, absolute rip off

246 replies

elliejjtiny · 17/02/2025 14:23

Where we live the only attractions within walking distance are several restaurants, 2 garden centres and a trampoline park. No play areas or anything like that. No woods or places to walk unless you want to walk round the business park. Dh is away most of half term (eldest uni interviews and then working) and I can't face staying at home all week with the younger dc. Dh will have the car and ds2 can't cope with public transport due to SEN. In laws would sometimes help but they have their other gc all week.

So our only option for going out is the trampoline park which costs £15 per child per hour. Plus extra for ice creams, drinks etc which we will not be having. If I had the car we could go out for the day for less than that. The trampoline park is always heaving with people when we go so people pay the money but I can't see it costing that much to run the place. We will go once because there is no other choice really. My dc are too old to want to go round the garden centre now.

OP posts:
Queenofthejabs · 17/02/2025 14:25

I’m not sure what you mean by costing that much to run the place? It isn’t a charity, they don’t do it for cost? They do it to make money, and wages, maintenance, rent, taxes, all take their share.

Puttingoutfireswithgasoline · 17/02/2025 14:27

If your children have sen, might there be a reduced price or carer option?

MoreDangerousThanAWomanScorned · 17/02/2025 14:27

It sounds like your set-up is pretty tough in terms of where you live not being walkable, having a child that can't cope with public transport, etc. That is all really tough and I'm sorry you're in that situation. I can understand being frustrated that the only thing nearby is expensive. But I don't think the trampoline park has to cater to your situation. They set prices, people either pay them or they don't - as you note, enough do that they clearly find this works for them as a business.

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SheilaFentiman · 17/02/2025 14:28

The capital expense of places like the trampoline park is huge. The company will have to service the loans they took to acquire and build the site.

Also, for many weeks of the year, they will not be full (and probably have an off peak or pre schooler price in those weeks).

Is there any way you or DH could hire a car for a few days in half term?

FiveTreeHill · 17/02/2025 14:28

If its always busy then it's obviously not a rip off otherwise no one would go. It's a business, they want to make money and will basically charge the most they can to maximise profit

It's not the trampoline parks fault you live somewhere with nothing else to do and don't have a car.

LoafofSellotape · 17/02/2025 14:28

I think that's pretty reasonable for a treat considering how much everything costs these days. Can you invite friends round to play? It's only a week, won't hurt to have some quiet down time, will it?

TwentyTwentyFive · 17/02/2025 14:28

£15 per child seems a bargain. Ours is £15 per child and any adult attending is £10 whether they go on or just observe. Like all places they are there to make a profit and whilst expensive you don't actually have to go at all. Just because your options are limited doesn't mean it's that or nothing, I'm sure they won't spontaneously combust if you spent the week playing board games, watching movies or just chilling at home.

ODFOx · 17/02/2025 14:34

How far can you get in an Uber for £15? Could that get all of you somewhere with open space with a picnic then DH pick you up after work?
Library?
Swimming pool?
Free museum?

JimHalpertsWife · 17/02/2025 14:35

Could they not do the uni trip via coach/train? That'd give you a couple pf days with the car

VanCleefArpels · 17/02/2025 14:35

Cinema? “Cinema” experience at home? Bake off? Board game day? Treasure Hunt around your neighbourhood (list various items to find / look out for and just walk around)? Hire a car (might not be as much as you think) and visit countryside? Come on OP, you’ve got this!!

coxesorangepippin · 17/02/2025 14:35

You need to read the thread from the woman who is taking her kid to Cornwall in a caravan for a week

Give you some inspiration

HauntedBungalow · 17/02/2025 14:38

It is a lot of money for an hour OP you're not wrong. This February half term is always challenging unless you have a car or decent things to do in walking distance. Or money.

Getting an Uber somewhere else is a good shout, if you can afford it.

theboffinsarecoming · 17/02/2025 14:38

Queenofthejabs · 17/02/2025 14:25

I’m not sure what you mean by costing that much to run the place? It isn’t a charity, they don’t do it for cost? They do it to make money, and wages, maintenance, rent, taxes, all take their share.

Yes, and I can imagine that the insurance and public liability costs for a trampoline park would be astronomical, not to mention the first aid and health & safety training for all the staff.

Original poster
elliejjtiny · 17/02/2025 14:40

Sadly no discount for children with SEN or carers. I don't really blame them for costing that much I just wish there was a park or something like that we could walk to. And I feel resentful that softplay is half the price for double the time and the zoo with a huge softplay and high ropes included is the same price to go all day. But we can't go to those places without a car.

My dc need lots of fresh air and exercise otherwise they will still be awake at 1 or 2 in the morning. They have plenty of things to do at home and will have friends round but that won't tire them out unfortunately.

When we first moved here there was loads of cheap things for the dc to do but things have closed down and prices have gone up.

OP posts:
SofaSpuds · 17/02/2025 14:41

Queenofthejabs · 17/02/2025 14:25

I’m not sure what you mean by costing that much to run the place? It isn’t a charity, they don’t do it for cost? They do it to make money, and wages, maintenance, rent, taxes, all take their share.

Plus the insurance for somewhere like this will be HUGE!
If you don't want to pay it, don't go. But plenty of people will pay.

Queenofthejabs · 17/02/2025 14:41

elliejjtiny · 17/02/2025 14:40

Sadly no discount for children with SEN or carers. I don't really blame them for costing that much I just wish there was a park or something like that we could walk to. And I feel resentful that softplay is half the price for double the time and the zoo with a huge softplay and high ropes included is the same price to go all day. But we can't go to those places without a car.

My dc need lots of fresh air and exercise otherwise they will still be awake at 1 or 2 in the morning. They have plenty of things to do at home and will have friends round but that won't tire them out unfortunately.

When we first moved here there was loads of cheap things for the dc to do but things have closed down and prices have gone up.

I get its hard but I’m not sure it’s the trampolines park’s fault. It isn’t a rip off.

SheilaFentiman · 17/02/2025 14:42

Bit left field - but if your DH works for a large employer, worth him checking if he can get any discounts via employee perks (eg for trampoline park, or for the zoo etc as discount cost plus Uber may work out not too bad in total)

Also might get a car hire discount,

Kingsransom · 17/02/2025 14:42

I'm surprised you don't have a play park to walk to. Sounds awful OP. In all honesty, in your set up I'd be moving if affordable. Could you add play equipment to your garden? Pogo stick, trampoline etc?

Chuchoter · 17/02/2025 14:43

A car for you is an essential. What is the possibility of you being able to have a second car?

discdiscsnap · 17/02/2025 14:44

Our local trampoline park is £15 per child but you get two hours. Is a fifteen minute drive away. All we have within a 30 min walk radius is 2 small parks , fish n chips sop, bakery and a couple of local shops .
We have one nine years old
I can't drive at the minute so dh booked a day off, adult dd is taking ds out on her day off, grandparents are doing an overnight and we are having a chill day at home.

Sprogonthetyne · 17/02/2025 14:45

The solution is really for your DH not to take the car for the full week. Is the uni visit possible on the train/coach? It was 20y ago but I went to all open days & interviews alone on trains/coachs. It would also be good for older DC to get an idea of the journey they'll be making each term if they move there.

Alternatively, if there any way DH can car pool or use public transport to get to work? Even if only 1 or 2 days, it would break up the week.

Nessastats · 17/02/2025 14:45

elliejjtiny · 17/02/2025 14:23

Where we live the only attractions within walking distance are several restaurants, 2 garden centres and a trampoline park. No play areas or anything like that. No woods or places to walk unless you want to walk round the business park. Dh is away most of half term (eldest uni interviews and then working) and I can't face staying at home all week with the younger dc. Dh will have the car and ds2 can't cope with public transport due to SEN. In laws would sometimes help but they have their other gc all week.

So our only option for going out is the trampoline park which costs £15 per child per hour. Plus extra for ice creams, drinks etc which we will not be having. If I had the car we could go out for the day for less than that. The trampoline park is always heaving with people when we go so people pay the money but I can't see it costing that much to run the place. We will go once because there is no other choice really. My dc are too old to want to go round the garden centre now.

Could you get a taxi somewhere further away but which is free or cheaper to enter.

Sunnydiary · 17/02/2025 14:52

Why has DH left you without a car?

Iamallowedtodisagreewithyou · 17/02/2025 14:53

I agree with pp you just need a car really and there's no getting away from that.

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