£15 per child for an hour, absolute rip off

[elliejjtiny]

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.

It’s a business, not a charity. Costs of everything have gone up - staffing, lighting + heating the place, equipment etc. Their public liability insurance bill will be absolutely eye watering. Numerous attractions near us have had to close because of that alone

Does your husband work in a town/city? Can't you all get a lift in with him one day and do lots of activities there for the day? Tend to be lots more free things in cities: museums etc.

OP could you maybe take turns with the car until you get your own? Or if you don’t want/can’t have your own for whatever reason. DH gets the car M/W/F and public transport to work the other days? I don’t think it’s fair that he gets the monopoly just because he is working. You can’t be stuck at home with a child all day it isn’t fair on either of you.

This was my thought as well.

If your child can cope with a busy trampoline park could now be the time to tackle getting the bus somewhere? I know lots of children find it hard but I'm just wondering whether now could be the time to give it another go?

Consider moving? You have a lot of years of raising a child who would benefit from being able to walk to a playground.

Have your children been to the trampoline park before? Make sure they like it before you splash out for a membership. I got a pass for 10 visits for ds3 thinking it was great value, went the first time and he hated it. People kept bouncing on ‘his’ trampoline, he didn’t like the socks he had to wear etc, etc. I ended up giving the pass to a friend to use up. He has since been diagnosed with ASD so perhaps understandable.

How does SEN child cope with trampoline place but not a bus? 🤨 When I’ve been to trampoline places they are horrendously busy, loud and hot sweaty places of hell. I think you are being unreasonable not getting a bus to local park.

It could well be. But it’s a bit shitty saying the place is a total rip off just because your car isn’t available and you chose to live not near a park or anything else. They’re a business and it’s very standard pricing for trampoline parks because they’re so expensive to run. Many places like this run promotions or loyalty schemes though

Can't you just get a trampoline for your garden?

£28 at our local trampoline place for an adult and a child - for an hour 😫!

I feel your pain. They may have costs to cover but personally I think charging almost full-price for an accompanying adult is a bit much.

Why is it the trampolene park's problem that there are no other local facilities? They're presumably not a charity. Their staff need paying, their landlord wants their rent, utility firms need paying, as do the owners/investors, goods/services providers, maintenance, insurance, security, etc. £15 per hour for provision of a service within premises is actually pretty cheap. Perhaps you should direct your anger at the local council and put pressure on them to provide more amenities/facilities??

I recently had to hire a car while mine was in for repairs. It cost £25+VAT a day. It was only a small run around. Is this something that could be considered for a couple of days to get full days out?

Absolutely - and I imagine their insurance must be pretty astronomical as well.

Sorry I missed that.

Can you imagine what the insurance premium is on a trampoline park? I reckon that's the biggest slice of the hourly rate.

Pokemon Go around the local area?

Do you get DLA for the children?

Insurance for a trampoline park will be wildly expensive

I got 3 minutes away for £7 each way in a local taxi so doubt an uber would be cheaper