Lying about child's age for free admission

[user1489773847]

Costing out a day trip to the zoo, now that DC has turned two have to factor in their ticket cost. DH says that we should just say he isn't yet two so it's free, and that everyone does it. Just wondered what the general consensus is on this? I feel bad lying but see his point that DS is still pretty young and could end up napping through a lot of it so won't necessarily benefit.

I'd lie.

I still occasionally get in for an under 16 now even though I am ahem over 30.

I would do it if you can, this stuff is expensive

Just do it

My ds was prem and is tiny for his age. He's gotten in all kinds of places as younger than his age. I never tell them he's younger but I've never been asked.

Would you steal from the zoo in any other way?

We are going on holiday in September

Booked it before Ds turned 2..he has been put down for infant prices saving us £100

He's just turned 2...I won't be correcting it

I wouldn't, it's stealing IMHO. However, I'm quite privileged financially so may not be viewing it the same as some.

N.B. if it's a choice between going and not going because you genuinely can't afford the extra I'd say it's morally ok.

Nah, I find life more straightforward if I tell the truth. Big stuff, small stuff, free stuff, saving a few quid, whatever. I try to be honest all the time, it makes me feel better.

It doesn't bother me hugely what other people do, mind.

I don't. Never have, never will.

Give over, these places are a right rip off on the whole and seem to throw out offers like confetti if you shop around before anyway. They'll cope.

Why should you pay the same for a 3 yo as a 12 yo when the 3 yo experience will be much less?

I dont see it as stealing I see it as a mutal exchange given they will charge you £2.50 for a cup of tea and £3 for a 99 ice cream so make their money out of you by charging hiked up prices as you have no option to shop around as you are trapped in their venue.

I thought everyone did this.

I'd lie may God strike me down!

"If you'd be happy to turn a blind eye if they lied in order to overcharge you, go ahead and be a liar to steal from them. But if you'd expect honesty from them, be honest yourself."

STDG you think this is logic but it's really really not

Do it!
I remember lying the other way round, there was a local soft play at the shopping centre, but you could only stay unaccompanied if you were 8, me and my friend were 7 so our mum's just got us to say we were older.

DS is now 2y3m. I absolutely said he was under two for about six weeks after his birthday, but it's fairly obvious now that he's over two (and he's big for his age too, which doesn't help) so I cough up. However, on a recent visit to an attraction my dad said he was under two and got away with it. I was a bit surprised but didn't say anything as he was paying, but it turned out he just forgot that DS was over two and wasn't trying to be sneaky

i cant see how places put prices up to cover those that do, theyd have to know people are fibbing and if they did then theyd challenge it at the time surely

i havent done it myself though, too scared dcs would grass me up!

What Zoo charges for 2yr olds?
The zoo here charges from 3 which is ok with me as ds loved it at 3 (and was old enough to know and say his own age).
At 2 if your ds is literally just 24/25mo and still in a buggy and not talking loads and likely to sleep through most of it then yeh I'd possibly claim he was "not two till next month".

As long as he's young enough not to pipe up and correct you which is what my dd did then you're golden

Yes, that lol. I didn't feel like swimming one day when my DTDs were still 7 (they're only allowed to swim unsupervised if they're 8). I told the lifeguard they were 8. DTD1 pipes up: But mom, we're only 7!

Of course I've never lied about them being younger to get in for cheaper anywhere

I think it depends on your situation and how far over 2 your DC is.

Nearer to 3 I would say pay.

Nearer to 2 and strapped for cash don't pay.

Enough money to pay. Pay.

I did it very occasionally for DD2 when the admission fee for DS1, DH & I was steep. I used to base my honesty on how much she would have got out of it, but would always pay in full for a charity event.

We now have DD3 who is tall for her age, so It hasn't come up. However Mil took her on a bus a while ago, and when the lovely bus driver asked her for her age and she proudly answered 7, he suggested that she might actually be just 6

Yeah all the time, ds2 was really tiny for his age!

I justify it that I'm now paying VAT on their clothes and shoes despite them both being children and at school

infact yes i agree with a pp, if you can affkrd it then dont do it but if its a case of not being able to go or being able to go but no treats, ice creams etc while there then go for it

People lying about their children's ages doesn't hike prices up for everyone else. That's just one of those things people say without thinking about it properly

DS16 has just booked child train tickets to go to Wembley with his friends. They can get away with being 15 for the day. It's not harming anyone and train fares are so ridiculous anyway.