I have a question about splurging on kids' activities

adamsbabble

What activities are you splurging on?  I'm genuinely curious because I can't think of anything we do regularly that isn't ultra cheap or totally free.

I always look at the Boone, Kenton and Hamilton Co. park sites and library sites and put all of their events on our calendar like storytimes, concerts, puppet shows, etc. most of which are totally free.  Despite being free, some of the programs are really great.  Last weekend we went to a free MadCap Puppet Show through Boone Co. and the girls loved it!  We do free Wild Wednesdays at Mills Rd. Park (Kenton Co.) and they are great- for instance next Wedneday the people from Sunrock Farm will be there and some days they even have free pizza afterwards.  Outside of that, there is always the park.  We are lucky enough to have a neighborhood pool, which I realize isn't always an option and thankfully we are still allowed to actually use ours since it isn't considered a public pool.  We only do Jump Zone and Totter's Otterville with a punch card, which I will buy only when they are a really great groupon deal.  As for the zoo and things that are a bit more costly, we haven't had to purchase memberships yet and it has still come out to be a better value.  We just make the zoo, aquarium, etc. each a twice a year thing and buy discounted tix, pack our own lunch, etc.  Last year this actually ended up being cheaper than a membership, which I know is a better value if you go often, but I feel like we've been able to stay plenty busy with more free activities.  I realize it won't always be as easy/cheap to entertain them, but for now I don't feel like we've really spent much on kids' entertainment, which has me (genuinely) wondering what kind of activities/classes you all are doing and what we are missing out on.

Maybe I'm just totally lame, which could definitely be the case.  The pinch/spend post got me thinking about this, as well as a post from a couple weeks ago about what memberships everyone has--we don't have any, but I still feel like we do a lot.

Traycee1242

We pay $70 a month for Gymboree classes (once you've been a member a year, it goes down to $45 a month, which is coming up for us next month) a bit pricey, but well worth it. DS loves it.. We can do play & learn, art and music class. He goes at least 2x a week (DH takes him Saturday's.. That is their "Dad & Son time") We will continue until he goes to preschool next year. I think the structure/class is great for him since I'm a SAHM..he needs the interaction since he doesn't go to daycare.

We have Aquarium and Zoo passes. Well worth it as we go to both often.

Swim lessons, $65 for 6 week classes. Were doing a them throughout the summer. Again, totally worth it. DS is a fish and has learned so much.

We do a lot of free things too... But don't mind spending the money on other things.

Ttimes3

Current: Museum Center, KI, zoo, Newport Aquarium, Gymboree Play & Music, Hamilton County Parks District

Near Future (J): preschool, swim lessons, and (probably) a tumbling or karate class (or some other high(er) energy activity for the fall/winter)

Near Future (W): swim lessons (?)

kel716

We're currently have a KI pass and a Museum Center pass.  We'll probably get a zoo pass again soon. 

We also paid for Tumblebees and for B to go to daycare 2 days/week.  We're paying for him to go over the summer even though I'm on summer vacation and could have stopped it.  However, him going to "school" twice/week has greatly helped out his speech, and the consistent routine/kids there is priceless IMO.  B absolutely loves tumblebees, and I imagine we'll keep him in it for a while.  I'm tempted to buy the Gymboree groupon, but I haven't decided yet.  I have a few hours to decide. 

adamsbabble

Man, I feel like a totally lame/scroogey mom.

I will say that I wasn't factoring schooling into the picture.  We do pay for that for Ava and are considering enrolling Charlotte this fall too.  I'm also trying to get them into ISR this fall (the schedule was already full for the rest of the summer) which is super pricey for me times 3 children, but also the reason why I'm delaying getting some of the other memberships.  I also agree that it's important to do something like Gymboree for the interaction if LO isn't in daycare... we make do with the library storytimes/music for that purpose since we don't have a Gymboree in our area (when Ava was a baby there was one, but I guess there was never enough interest... they were always calling us to cancel class because she was the only one enrolled).  I certainly wish we had one because it would definitely be a cheaper option for Charlotte than the preschool program.

I do have a question for zoo/aquarium pass holders... are there any certain times in the year I should be on the lookout for a promo to get a better deal on a pass? 

Traycee1242

adamsbabble:

Man, I feel like a totally lame/scroogey mom.

I will say that I wasn't factoring schooling into the picture.  We do pay for that for Ava and are considering enrolling Charlotte this fall too.  I'm also trying to get them into ISR this fall (the schedule was already full for the rest of the summer) which is super pricey for me times 3 children, but also the reason why I'm delaying getting some of the other memberships.  I also agree that it's important to do something like Gymboree for the interaction if LO isn't in daycare... we make do with the library storytimes/music for that purpose since we don't have a Gymboree in our area (when Ava was a baby there was one, but I guess there was never enough interest... they were always calling us to cancel class because she was the only one enrolled).  I certainly wish we had one because it would definitely be a cheaper option for Charlotte than the preschool program.

I do have a question for zoo/aquarium pass holders... are there any certain times in the year I should be on the lookout for a promo to get a better deal on a pass? 

March is the best time to buy zoo passes... They are 20% off the entire month. I also got the Gold pass (it's a single parent pass..but includes an adult free with your pass every time you visit...so since DH works FT and travels and can rarely go, this made much more sense than a family pass for us. Also includes parking which is so worth it. Think it was around $115 for the year)

Don't think there's any better time to buy an Aquarium pass.. But I think it's totally reasonable. $42 for adult, and just need a pass for kids 3 and over (think the kids pass is $27 or something) They have free parking at the levee from 11-2 moon-thurs, and we always pack a lunch and eat in the cafeteria there or outside and watch the boats. I can't stand the crap they sell there so its great we can pack. Though sometimes we head to Deweys : ). We also love to go upstairs in Barnes and Noble. Great kiddo area with a train table and stage... No one is ever in there.

kel716

Zoo passes are usually 20% off in March.

Because I'm a teacher, I got $20 off our family membership to the Museum Center.  For $110 that I paid in March, we have already gotten our money's worth as we've been 5 times and we've only had it a little more than 3 months. 

We bought our KI passes in the fall when they run their gold pass promo.  I forget how much they were because our ILs gave it to us for Christmas last year.  B is still free because he's under 3...  ILs live in the Mason/Kings area, so for us a KI pass is a staple.  We'll go for a few hours in the evening or on Sunday mornings. 

 

Ttimes3

adamsbabble:

I do have a question for zoo/aquarium pass holders... are there any certain times in the year I should be on the lookout for a promo to get a better deal on a pass? 

The zoo usually runs a 20% off special, each March. That said, we buy the Family Gold membership (for $143), naming my mom (not DH) and myself + all children in the family on the card. Whenever my mom and I go, one other (unnamed adult gets free admission). Gold = free parking and rides, too. The way I figure it, the pass pays for itself in two visits (even less if both my mom AND I go at the same time, which allows for two OTHER adults to get in for free). Even if DH decides that he wants to take the boys, without me (which rarely happens because he prefers the aquarium and KI), all I have to do is send him with a photocopy of my ID and a letter. All that said, we usually go 2-4x/month from March - Sept/Oct (and then at least once for Festival of Lights). Clearly, we get our $ worth.

Not sure about deals on membership for the aquarium; however, it pays for itself in just two visits. Since buying his (and J's) membership cards, DH has already taken the boys 3x. On stroller days (there is a calendar for days that strollers are okay to bring), it's his go-to rainy day activity.

jerseygirl81

It's true that there are a lot of free activities out there, but most of the good ones are during the week, during the day, while I'm at work. I can't think of any playplace (recreations outlet, woodland water park, etc) that has free open play on weekends, only during the week.

We have a zoo membership and go at least once a month, plus we occasionally sign him up for the kid classes they offer. I do consider the children's museum a splurge, because by the time you pay for all three of us to go it gets pretty spendy. Last year we also did the parachute class at Jumpin' Joey's.

Next year we'll do the KI pass, and we're looking into a dad/kid martial arts class for the fall. We'll also be doing swim lessons at some point.

Jessica&Brett

We have zoo, museum, KI but we use all of those a lot. We also go to Library, Parkys, etc for free activities. We have also done swim lessons, and I bought the Gymboree groupon.

When I bought our zoo membership, I just searched google for "Cincinnati Zoo membership discount" and found 20% off.

twinsmom23

Recreations Outlet Free Play on Tues-Thursday for free.

Klmorgan83

adamsbabble:

Man, I feel like a totally lame/scroogey mom. 

If you're scroogey, so am I!  I definitely don't try to be, but mine and DH's work schedules don't make it easy to sign Noah up for many classes.  I work different days every week, so I can't get him to something the same day every week.  We had him in a gymnastics class for awhile, but it required a lot of help on my Mom's part to get him there.  We do have a zoo pass, we get it for free, but we'd pay for it if we had too...he loves it.  We're planning on getting a KI pass for next year.

Moesten

Passes: Zoo, Aquarium, Kings Island, Museum Center

Other activities: Tumblebees X2 (approx $300 every 10 weeks), Music class X2 ($100 every 10 weeks), Preschool ($135/mo), Dance class ($??? I forgot) Swim ($38 for 7 weeks but we do that only from time to time)

In the fall add a martial art and soccer to that.  

segerama

We have a zoo and museum pass.  I let our aquarium passes expire, but I will probably get a new one the next time we go.  No point in paying ahead of time. 

My daughter does Tumble Bunnies ($40 a month) from October - April.  We also pay for a family membership to Five Seasons.  It was cheaper to go this route than paying for a gym membership and swim membership separately.  She did one session of swim lessons last year and will do another session this year - approximately $30 for a month.

Our library does a toddler story time in the evening for working parents which is great.  When I am off work in the summers, I also participate in a free stroller fit class at the park.

 

allobosc

we don't have Alex in any sports/activities that are consistent and I feel like a bum of a mom for it.  Money isn't really the issue as to why not...mostly b/c there was nothing around me that he could do besides swimming under 3 and now that I have Cameron, I'm too tired to take him to a practice 2/3 times a week.  I feel like a very lazy mom for saying that.  My friends have their DD is 3 activities right now and I feel like Alex is so far "behind" her.

we do however make use of the metroparks, the library and their programs.  I also have a Boonshoft pass which gets me into the Toledo zoo free.  That pass pays for itself easily I'd say.  We just saved $50 at the zoo this past weekend alone.

shellbug79

I have to say that if it wasn't for my mother and father in law our kids would not have as much as they do.  With that being said we have a membership to the Museum courtesy of them and a membership to a local pool courtesy of them.  The Museum to me is a waste because I refuse to take both of the kids on my own.  Both kids do not want to play with the same thing at the same time and I can't be in two places at once so I only go if someone else is going with me. The pool membership is awesome.  Swim lessons are free for members so Isabelle is signed up for a months worth of swim lessons (Oliver could also take lessons but with his surgery next week he's not allowed to swim).  We are at the pool several times a week, we pack our lunches and get our daily dose of vitamin D.  We have a membership to the zoo (we bought) and we go to the zoo once or twice a month, at least.  We also pack our lunches for these outings but will treat ourselves to ice cream while we're there.  Isabelle is in soccer right now which is $40 for 6 weeks. She loves it and it's not something that we do often, this is only her 2nd time but I wanted to give her something to do since she's not in school right now.  After soccer we are thinking of dance or gymnastics and that's around $40 a month.  Poor Oliver doesn't really get to do anything.  He's not to the point where he listens well and his speech is still behind some so it makes it a little tougher.  We find lots of free or very cheap things to do.  I think Oliver would love a Gymboree type of class but there isn't one that's close but I have thought about putting him in a tumbling sort of class in the fall since Isabelle will be in full day school and it'll just be the two of us.  Honestly, Isabelle and Oliver love playing outside in the sandbox or at the water table or painting so as long as they're having fun and learning the things they are supposed to learn or need to learn I'm happy.