Do I spend too much on toddler hobbies?

[Gailplatt95]

DD is 2, she has horse riding lessons, gymnastics and dance class. This comes to around £130 a month, then any clothes or equipment she needs on top. DP thinks this is too much as when her sister gets older we’ll have to do the same fir her too. I’m unsure, I never had hobbies as a child and I want my girls to have them. I think as she gets older she’ll probably pick just 1 or 2 that she wants to do, then it will become cheaper but at the moment she enjoys all her classes.
What do you spend on toddler hobbies? Is this excessive?

It's a lot because the horse riding is expensive, but not a lot in terms of number of activities in my opinion.

It depends how much free money you have I guess. My son does swimming and football which come to about £75 a month, but if your daughter enjoys it and you can afford it then why not 🤷🏼‍♀️

I think you're spending and having her do far more than is necessary. She's 2, not 12.

If you have the spare money and that is what you want to spend it on, and your toddler enjoys things rather than getting too tired, I don’t really see a problem - don’t peak too soon though, those activities will still be there when she is 6 and she might get more benefit from them slightly later in life (assuming that by gymnastics/dance you mean trying to learn moves that could be assembled into routines later etc not just generalised physical movement like tumbletots).

I think it’s a lot of money and at 2 years old she’s ready young still. It’s up to you though it’s your money. Dp thinks it’s a lot so you guys need to maybe have a good chat about it .

Is this a stealth brag? If you can afford it, it’s fine. If you can’t, you need to cut back.

Must dash, need to take Eduardo to his flying lessons and Talulah to her wine tasting session.

Whether they're too expensive is subjective but what I would say is they're all quite structured and expensive for a 2 year old and it'll be years before she can meaningfully express her preferences. I think one or two is enough and then maybe wait for her to ask to do something else?

They're also all quite similar in my mind as they're all physical sports. You might have a child who loves art or reading or music or maths (for example), you need to make sure she has the mental and practical space to develop in her own way.

Expensive for three things.

I'm surprised she can do lessons on horse. Dd is two and can sit on pony but would not manage a lesson.

Swimming would be a good skill. Like others say don't peak to early, more lesson based activities might be better later on and more fun sessions now.

Poor kid

At 2? Absolutely nothing. My oldest now does beavers and swimming, but that was from 4 years old(swimming) and 6 (beavers)

Its a bit crazy to spend that much and not necessary at all but if you have plenty of spare cash each month and love spending your free time on this then why not?

I spend nothing. Mine spends most of her time digging in the sandpit and climbing things.

Imo that’s too much money and structure for a 2yo. Does she go to nursery on top of this? Free play is so important at this age. I’d save the money each month for when she becomes expensive and can pick her own hobbies. You'll have a good pot put aside and she won’t remember any difference.

Must dash, need to take Eduardo to his flying lessons and Talulah to her wine tasting session.
This made me chuckle.

Is the question whether £130 is too much or whether your DD is doing too much? If the former then we possible need a lot more information about your finances.

But yes, my 2 year old did a sensory club for £5 a week before lockdown. Thats the only class she's ever done but she has an excellent time every day playing with her brothers, going to the park, going for walks, picking blackberries, jumping in puddles, picking up stones, singing nursery rhymes, playing in the garden....

Horse riding at 2? What is it, a miniature Shetland pony? I’m surprised a two year old can even ride at 2! If you can afford it, carry on.

A 2 year old doesn’t need structured hobbies.

I want to go with Talulah to the wine tasting lol

2 year olds don't have hobbies, they do what ever you offer them. I'm surprised horse riding is even offered so young, mine had to be 5. Do whatever activities you want but until they can express an interest it's about what you want

I'll be honest as a horsey person I can't see what she's getting out of regular lessons to justify the cost at that age. Pony rides, yep totally, but not the usual riding school setup. I don't think any schools near me take them til they're about 4 years old for that reason. Dance, I get that as I'm assuming the cost is much less and it's essentially a good social as much as a physical activity.

A 2yo does not need muliple hobbies ffs. Just let her play and be a toddler.

Mine did nothing at that age. Mind you she only walked at 20 months, so I can't see her doing any of those! At any rate, I was at work a lot of the time so she was playing with others/being looked after DP.

For a 2 year old, I think it’s unnecessary to have organised hobbies like that.

Mine started swimming lessons age two. Brilliant age to start - lots of fun and vital life lesson learnt.

Multiple.

Tbh you'd be better off putting all that money into a savings account for when she'll need it as an adult and spending 50p a week taking her to ye church hall toddler group instead.