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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think TumbleTots is a ginourmous con?

54 replies

BreakingBadWind · 30/09/2014 11:36

Had a tumbletots try out last week. As well as costing £20 per child to join the tumbletots club for a year if we decide to do it, it's also a tenner per session for two kids. Which would be just about okay if it was amazing and turned them into world class gymnasts or something, but it was basically a few tunnels and squishy things thrown together in a circuit for them to go round with my help, some balls and hoops for them to ignore in the middle of the room and a couple of uninspired songs. We go to singing etc at the library and run around the park every day and I cannot see what the benefot of tumbletots over this is at all. AIBU?

OP posts:
ILovePud · 30/09/2014 11:39

I agree, my local surestart and library has much better stuff going on for free.

grocklebox · 30/09/2014 11:39

It's not a con....you know what you are getting when you pay up, its your choice as to whether its worth the money.
Nobody promises to turn your toddlers into Olympic gymnasts. So you don't rate it, so what? Doesn't mean anyone is conning anyone. YABU.

Heels99 · 30/09/2014 11:39

Yanbu. Try a local gymnastics club for a better pre school option.

LetThereBeCupcakes · 30/09/2014 11:43

YANBU to not see the benefit for you and your DCs. However YABU to assume the same applies to everybody. My 20 MO DS loves Tumble Tots. He is starting to learn how to wait his turn to go on equipment. It has given me the confidence to allow him to climb and I've learnt how to support him whilst allowing him to explore. I'm a very lazy none-physicial person, hated PE at school so it has really built my confidence.

There are also very few groups that are so flexible when it comes to taking older / younger siblings. Most of my friends have had to quit swimming etc when they have a DC2. Not the case with Tumble Tots.

Honeezreturn · 30/09/2014 11:44

If you think tumble tots is expensive, wait unitil they become gymnasts! DD started as a tumble tot and progressed to a county gymnast and retired at the grand old age of 22
I must have spend £1000's on fees and equipment. Leotards for competitions being at least £50 a go
If it's not your thing, go to the park, library, swimming pool. Nobody is forcing you Smile

DayLillie · 30/09/2014 11:45

I had a friend who used to run one of these franchises -about 27 years ago. Things have changed. There is a lot more available for toddlers to do now that is probably better set up, with better more up to date facilities. I think TT has had its day.

Whoopsadazy · 30/09/2014 11:45

I remember being "huh?" at some music thing costing 5 per child a few years back. It was just tambourines and triangles. All very enjoyable I'm sure but I was a bit "people actually PAY for this? A FIVER?".

littlemslazybones · 30/09/2014 11:47

I think most people who take their toddlers are mostly paying for a change of scenery and an opportunity to meet other parents. I don't think they are fooling anyone into thinking this is any more worthy an activity as going to the park, it's not much of a con in that regard.

TheVioletHour · 30/09/2014 11:48

Yanbu i also found tumbletots unimpressive

Hexu2 · 30/09/2014 11:52

Depends what your other options are - if there are playgroup or sure start things on they are going to be just as good and much cheaper.

If there nothing and this is the only way to get out and meet other mothers and do an activity with DC or it's only option due to older DC or some other things ( some sure start groups have odd age restrictions IME) - then it would possible be worth it.

I turned down a music group based on lessons for such reasons - had to pay for a term and DC get sick meaning missed lessons and it was more than toddler groups. For other mothers working pt it was only thing on their day with DC and it was indoor so perfect for winter - so they did it.

I don't think your missing out - but don't think it's a con either.

schmee · 30/09/2014 11:53

Tumbletots was one of the best that I did with my older DC. I learnt about their limits in a controlled environment (so became less helicopter at the playground). They learnt about waiting their turn and keeping safe. They also learnt some good motor skills as well as climbing when using hoops etc in the circle time. They also learnt how to sit and listen in the circle time.

The fact there were loads of adult helpers at mine was really important and in our area prices weren't much more than soft play.

HighwayDragon · 30/09/2014 11:54

dd loved tt

Thurlow · 30/09/2014 11:56

Depends what you're looking for. You're probably going to get more value for money from the toddler football or rugby classes, though.

LetThereBeCupcakes · 30/09/2014 11:57

I would have thought there could be quite big differences between groups, which would make some classes better than others. For example, at our TT, one of the helpers is also a Baby Signing Teacher, and she does signing to all the songs witch the children are learning. I also find them very good at suggesting what to focus on with the children (climbing, turn taking, balance etc).

My SIL went to a different one a little while back and said it was basically just a free-for-all.

ElephantsNeverForgive · 30/09/2014 11:58

I did a private tumble tots sort if think with DD1 run by a local nursery.

She loved it (except for the songs, when she'd try and sneak back on the climbing frame).

However, I live 5 miles from a decent park and the really nice one was 12 miles away (not far from said nursery) and DD was the sort of child who climbed before she could walk.

Either we went out and she climbed things meant for climbing or we stayed home and she climbed bookcases, tables, sofas, beds, banisters chairs and anything else she could find.

She was no better at preschool she spent all morning looking for a chance to go up the main school wall bars.

Personally I'd have just let her, but they couldn't be responsible if she fell (which she wouldn't have).

With all extra curricular stuff you have to balance your budget, your DCs likes (Neither DD learns an instrument) and your need to get out the house before your toddler drives you mad or your older DC has too much screen time.

minipie · 30/09/2014 12:00

I've seen a similar thread before I think. Prices seem to vary quite a lot across the country. So for some people it's good value, for others a rip off.

We seem to be in the rip off category. It is vastly more expensive than any other toddler activity near us (with the exception of little gym which is even more Shock) - there are loads of activities so it's not a "this or nothing" situation. I don't get it.

HighwayDragon · 30/09/2014 12:37

they had a trampoline at our tt, the workers would hold your child as they bounced so they could safely do forward flips etc.

HungryHorace · 30/09/2014 13:24

I took DD yesterday and didn't really think that it was worth the money, given that soft play is still free for her. And none of the other mums were that chatty.

I think maybe the venue has an impact too, as the building ours is in is really tired and cramped, so they're limited what they can have there. The equipment was also tired as well, which didn't impress me much.

I'll go back next week as I've paid for 2 weeks, but won't go back. Maybe once she's 2 it'll work out better for her.

pussinwellyboots · 30/09/2014 13:34

I'll echo what others have said, it's not a con and at ours you can see where the money is spent - justifying why it is the price that it is - 4 members of staff, hire of leisure centre and also the equipment which is the right size for their age. For me it was well worth it when they moved into the 3+class so I could sit and have a coffee whilst they did their class. But as with any activity for pre schoolers (music etc)you can replicate very similar activities for free at home or in the park, it's working out what the priorities are on your budget.

BeyondRepair · 30/09/2014 13:46

He is starting to learn how to wait his turn to go on equipment. It has given me the confidence to allow him to climb and I've learnt how to support him whilst allowing him to explore.

You do know you can get that from a toddler group at a £1 a time?

OP your NOT Un reasonable.

I was put off mine when found out about extra 20 joining fee, I was put off as when I went for the trial which I had to pay for, my DD was already an excellent mover and climber, I was only joining to see if it was fun but they tried to imply only they could teach my child the skills needed to turn and climb and I found this really manipulative, it was not being sold as fun, but as a physical necessity or my child wouldn't learn. Hmm

I was going to try again with my second but I just cant see the benefit of it, for the extortionate price.

There is plenty of stuff to climb in normal soft play/toddler groups, and parks.
Its fun, you may meet other mums there but its not necessary to your childs development.

BeyondRepair · 30/09/2014 13:47

you can replicate very similar activities for free at home or in the park

or at soft play, library, sure start and toddler groups.

ChippingInLatteLover · 30/09/2014 13:50

I think it's crap too. Plenty of better options out there!

BeyondRepair · 30/09/2014 13:50

I think most people who take their toddlers are mostly paying for a change of scenery and an opportunity to meet other parents

I am only stressing this again for new mums who spend £££ on this stuff, you can all this and more from your locality, unless very unlucky, church halls, local gym, garden centers have climbing soft play now....loads of places and its literally £1 - £2 and you dont have to sign up.

I take my DD somewhere different nearly every day of week with mixture of Messy play, and toddler groups and local park. She has varied days and sees different children and it costs me less than one TT session.

Berlinbee · 30/09/2014 13:59

I hardly think it's a con- you're told of all of the costs quite clearly beforehand. Maybe it depends on different groups and areas.

It is quite expensive compared to other groups but my son absolutely loves it. I live in an area with either dire, twee or heavily religious toddler groups and so TTs has saved my sanity once a week. Our group is really good though- there are at least 20 different things he can play on which is certainly not the same as other groups and I can definitely not provide all of those toys in our house/ garden. Plus as I am mainly chasing him around the hall there is not the excruciating small talk.

Viviennemary · 30/09/2014 14:05

I don't think it's a con as such because they are quite upfront about their charges. So even if it's a bit on the expensive side if your DC's enjoy it and you can afford it I think it's a very good idea.