To think this wasn't good value?

[UndertheCedartree]

I took my 10 yo DD and her friend to a Christmas market today and payed £20 a head for a Christmas craft and treat decorating class. It was for 2 hours. I was rather disappointed. They made slime - this was grey and sticky/slimy - it looked like slugs. Not sure exactly what went wrong but we've often made it at home with no problem. They used glue, bicarb, contact solution and green food colouring. They also had one of those thin wooden ornaments (plywood?) to colour in with felt tips. Finally, a mini gingerbread man and cheap fairy cake to decorate with icing and sugar strands. I mean, I guess I got childcare for them both for 2 hours but would you have expected more?

I would have said something there and then - that's appalling! What a scam!

I was thinking more about other commercial 'festive' activities rather than the day to day stuff. Skating is £12-£15 per hour for instance, and you'd need to supervise.

If you paid on debit card I'd consider a chargeback claim (I know I'm going to get flamed for saying that, by the wealthy MNetters but some of us can’t afford to lose £40! That's almost a week's shopping for us!) and let them investigate it and decide for you.

& @TLIMSISNW £20 PER CHILD is how I read the OP?

Why could she do a charge back claim, she paid for crafts, she got crafts ? Genuinely interested
Disclaimer- I'm not connected to any crafting event

Both! As I said, they saw the funny side of it!

Ah yes. You’re right.

Must pay more attention.

Ah, I see, fair enough. I must admit I don't tend to do those kinds of things. I did splash out a bit with this as it was expensive for me. That's why I wanted to check and I appreciate the feedback.

There was no cost for renting the space, utilities, health and safety etc.

of course there will be costs.
Fees, licence/permits, insurance, risk assessment/admin time. People can’t just rock up somewhere and put up a table to do these things free of charge.

£40 is a lot for me to be honest. And seeing how little they'd spent on the materials was gutting.

Yes, £20 per child.

Both! As I said, they saw the funny side of it!

I was actually referring you you comment upthread there...

Still, the girls had fun and that's the most important bit!

They had fun. Not 'they saw the funny side but were appalled'

As I've explained this is a kids club at a gym. All those things are already covered. The extra charge was for materials and decorations as a special Christmassy session. I'm not sure much extra was spent beyond what they usually spend for kids club. Apart from the decorations which were lovely.

I think 2 hours of someone looking after your child and doing crafts with them for £20 sounds pretty decent!

I agree that sounds disappointing and lacklustre.

I'm glad you all can laugh about it, though. 😃

And it should have been a bit more Christmassy.

I suppose you could use the grey slime for reindeer snot.

🎄

Well the people running the class would have been earning around £10ph, and I guess the staff to child ratio would have been pretty high if there was craft involved and if the adults don't stay with their kids. Then there's the hire of the premises, insurance, training etc. Doesn't leave a lot of ££ for the actual materials plus a profit at the end of it.

It’s not good value, but pretty normal - all these “must have fun Christmas activities “ are just money pits, and not worth it.

😂

Yes, they had fun. They had fun because despite the kids club not being able to make slime properly they saw the funny side of it as it looked so disgusting! And similar with the other things. My DD thought it was hilarious that it wasn't a classic gingerbread person shape with arms and legs out but with them firmly at the side! I've attached photos of the slime and cake/gingerbread.

Fair enough

There was 1 staff member for the 10 DC - there was also the kids club manager floating about. But all wages would already have been paid, no hire of premises, insurance, training (but they do need training in how to make slime 😂.) The £20 was for materials (and decorating of the room, I assume.) The felt tip pens and sprinkles they already at, maybe more of the supplies, tbh.

But all wages would already have been paid, no hire of premises, insurance, training You keep saying no premises costs, no insurance - why do you think these costs do not apply?

Wages will have to be paid from the money they make hosting the children presumably.

This changes everything... If you weren't already paying for the kids club, £20 a child would be reasonable. As it stands, £10 per child would be more realistic.

Because as I've explained this is a gym where the membership fees already pay for the kids club.

It sounds rubbish but equally I think 10yo is bordering on being too old for this kind of thing.

I know you say the class is aimed at 6-10 year olds but normally the only older children I see at stuff like that are those are who are dragged there with younger siblings.

The activities you describe are more for young primary age. I certainly wouldn't be paying £20 for them.