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AIBU?

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Original poster

To hire a hot tub for my 9 year olds birthday? Any experiences?

90 replies

Chewit2022 · 19/02/2021 18:27

9 year old daughter’s birthday.
I won’t go in to detail, but for various reasons - it has been a particularly difficult time for her.

She asks for nothing, and this breaks my heart.

So... I would love to make her birthday really fly in the absence of a party, meal out, get together with extended family etc.

Hot tub for the garden for 3 days.

Any experiences?

I have NO experience of them but I do know my daughter is a water baby!

Many thanks

OP posts:
Boysnme · 19/02/2021 21:06

[quote VaVaGloom]@Boysnme how much did you pay if you don't mind saying? Is it a faff to maintain?[/quote]
We paid £320 for the tub and per our calcs electricity is about £40 a month although we haven’t had an actual bill so this could be nonsense and we are in for a shock!

It’s not that difficult to maintain, you need to out chlorine in every day and change the filter each use/ every couple of uses and we empty it about every 6-8 weeks.

DancingQueen85 · 19/02/2021 21:14

Our two DC love our hot tub. We've had it for almost two years and the novelty hasn't worn off at all

MsTSwift · 19/02/2021 21:24

We have a hard standing one embedded in garden. I use it most days. Kids 12 and 14 only use it when they have pals over then they love it and are in for ages laughing. Best thing we ever bought tbh

VaVaGloom · 19/02/2021 21:24

Thanks @Boysnme that would certainly work out far cheaper per use but I'm not sure I could be bothered with doing the chlorine daily.

MsTSwift · 19/02/2021 21:25

Got me through the 3 lockdowns tbh. Had ours 4 years now

MsTSwift · 19/02/2021 21:26

We just leave chlorine in a gadget that bobs around in tub and out fresh tablets in the gadget every few days. Hardly onerous!

Chatty987 · 19/02/2021 22:25

Book way in advance. I procrastinated about booking one for my DD’s bday recently then missed out as fully booked. Very popular atm.

MinnieJackson · 19/02/2021 23:37

Are you doing anything else for the bday? I sometimes just think they all wee in them lol Grin plus some people can't go in them for health reasons. Is it a parent leave party or parent stay? At nine i think my dc would rather have music, dancing and face painting, but it's obviously up to you! I don't think my 8 year old knows what a hot tub is x

Original poster
Chewit2022 · 20/02/2021 05:43

@MinnieJackson

Are you doing anything else for the bday? I sometimes just think they all wee in them lol Grin plus some people can't go in them for health reasons. Is it a parent leave party or parent stay? At nine i think my dc would rather have music, dancing and face painting, but it's obviously up to you! I don't think my 8 year old knows what a hot tub is x
It’s lockdown Confused
OP posts:
peak2021 · 20/02/2021 06:46

As long as it is only your family who use it, hope you enjoy it.

RubaiyatOfAnyone · 20/02/2021 06:56

Those of you who have hired and enjoyed, any recommendations for companies?

And if they are solid hot tubs, how much access do they need to install them? Is a single width passage enough?

M0nstermunch · 20/02/2021 06:57

Sounds lovely. We have just booked one for a week in the easter hols that we were meant to be away for. Kids are very excited.

SuperCaliFragalistic · 20/02/2021 06:58

We went on holiday to a place with a hot tub last year and my 9 year old practically lived in it. The 6, 5 and 4 year olds were in and out splashing etc and also enjoyed it but my DD just chilled out in it for hours. Definitely remember to drink lots, it's very dehydrating.

Englishgirl9 · 20/02/2021 07:07

I'd suggest buying one - they are about £300 from b&m right now whereas hiring one for a weekend can be £150. Although their might be some cheaper deals at the moment.

Also, they take about 24 hours to heat up so get it put up the day before your want it for.

WellTidy · 20/02/2021 07:15

This is such a good idea. You’ve given me inspiration for when we are out of lockdown and can see friends for a get together. The kids would absolutely love it and the idea of theming it like a beach with cocktails is so good. A substitute for a summer holiday.

MinnieMountain · 20/02/2021 07:16

Great idea OP.

DS (7) loves them, so I’ve found a local hire place.

beela · 20/02/2021 07:19

I've just booked one for my dd birthday in May half term. I'm hoping that by then we'll be able to have a couple of her friends, over, but if not we can have a family party. It comes with a gazebo and fairy lights so we can use it even if the weather isn't great.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 20/02/2021 07:21

Do it. My two siblings each have 1 and their kids (6,8,9,11) bloody love it. They are outdoorsy kids and love water/swimming though, and will happily go in it in all weather.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 20/02/2021 07:31

i sometimes just think they all wee in them
at 9 my dc would rather have music, dancing and face painting

Why would a 9 year old wee in a hot tub?! Would you wee in one? Op isnt talking about a toddler.

The age sort of isnt relevant though? Hot tubs arent really a "grown up" thing - children just enjoy splashing about in them like paddling pools. It sounds like your DC are more creative (mine would be be very bored with music and dancing and would hate sitting still to have their face painted). An active kid who loves water/swimming will have different preferences. My 4 year old loves hot tubs (several family members have the proper wooden ones).

NiceTwin · 20/02/2021 07:34

We did this for my dd's 18th last year. Luckily, it was just as we came out of lockdown, albeit briefly Grin
It came on a Thursday evening, went on Monday morning. I can't remember how much I paid but I think about £120. It comes with a gazebo too for a little extra but we live in a really windy place so didn't bother.

I know my dd is older but they loved it, they were in and out of it all weekend.
I would definitely hire one again.
Go for it, she'll love it.

Boysnme · 20/02/2021 08:00

@VaVaGloom

Thanks *@Boysnme* that would certainly work out far cheaper per use but I'm not sure I could be bothered with doing the chlorine daily.
@VaVaGloom you can get chlorine dispensers if you are not using it for a few days at a time that take tablets so you don’t always need to do it daily, I use mine lots so just chuck some in as I’m coming out for the next day. I’ve also been known to forget and it’s been fine!
LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 20/02/2021 09:29

I agree the weather is not that relevant. Unless perhaps it’s absolutely pouring with rain. That would put me off a bit. But in some ways it’s even nicer when it’s chilly. So long as you have big bathrobes/towels to put on as you step out. My DS (9) loves a hot tub. Bit of music played low, fairy lights, nice drinks in pretty plastic glasses, lovely idea.

JosephineBaker · 20/02/2021 09:34

DD went to a hot tub birthday party when she was that age and adored it.

It sounds a lovely thing to do for your daughter, to make up for the lack of party.

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 20/02/2021 09:38

I’m astonished that anyone (unless they have additional needs) over the age of 3 would wee in a hot tub. My (not overly mature) DS was about 5 when he first went in one and often got out to have a wee.

Rainbowqueeen · 20/02/2021 09:42

Fantastic option for a lockdown birthday.

I think a 9 year old would enjoy it, especially with mock tails (Shirley temples are really popular in our house) plus a movie if you can set it up

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