about paying for baby siblings in soft play

[tholeon]

Just went to a soft play with DS, 3, and DD, 5 months. Paid £6.50 for 2 hours play for DS and a lunch box, also bought lunch and coffee for myself. Was charged £4 for two hours play for DD. She probably spent about half an hour on a playmat, half an hour feeding/ sitting on my lap and about an hour asleep. AIBU to think the charge for this was a bit much? Also annoying is that charging for baby siblings seems to be a bit random: a friend was charged nothing for a three month old, another half what I was for a ten month old... And the sign on the door details a charge for crawlers and walkers, but nothing about pre-crawlers, so all a bit confusing.

YANBU around my way under 18months play for free (under 2 some places)

YANBU

but whilst on the theme, i gave out yesterday at having to pay to go to a matinee at the cinema (was already paying for 3 DC and the popcorn)

i reckon i should have got free

imagine if you were charged to go to soft play - same principle :)

Did you check the prices before you went? There was no way I was going to pay for a baby who was sitting in the buggy so we don't go out unless I know how much it's going to cost and that it'll be worth it.

All the soft play centres near me don't charge or charge very little (£1 ish) for babies under 12months. One even let me off when I had a 15month old who was tired and just sat in the buggy. They also have a reward card so next time I go I'll be due a free entry for one of my dc's.

i didn't ask, but the sign detailed prices for walkers and crawlers so I assumed there wasn't a charge for pre crawlers....

Free under 1 near me.

I don't have to pay for 10 month old DD.

Under 1s free near me too. One place charges £1 at six months, but they do exceent food, so I grin and pay up.

i would have thought that if a child was old enough to 'play' then they were old enough to pay. The length of time spent 'playing' is irrelevant.

precrawlers shouldnt be charged for, its silly to charge for them because where do you draw the line. if they leave a buggy or not. or would you charge for a newborn.
all the soft play places ive been to dont charge for under 2's

This differentiation between walkers and crawlers sounds a complete nightmare, tbh. What about backward crawlers? Tottery walkers?

At our local soft play the charges are age-related and the age ratings are a fair indication of the play that's available for any particular age group. So under ones are free. 1 - 2 year olds are charged a reduced rate. Over twos and upwards pay the same.