After school activities

Janepig

DD's is 7 and her big thing is cheerleading which is £28 per month for two lessons a week. Big expense though is stuff like uniform (£100 - although don't need them often, DD's still on her first!), warm ups with the squad logo on, tracksuit (jacket, vest and trousers) £40, cheer trainers £30, and then there's competition entry fees, travelling expenses, etc.... But I'm not going to complain because they competed at the weekend and were amazing and won, so I'm still on a high. But it generally does tend to cost a bomb!

She also does gymnastics, which is about £50 per term (ie, Jan-Easter, Easter-Summer, September-Xmas), but that's it really. DD competed afew weeks ago but the entry fee was about £20 and the club supplied the leotard, so compared to cheerleading it was a pittance!

DS is 5 and has started gymnastics too, so I pay the same for him per term, and they both also go to open classes on a Saturday which are £4 each. I'd like him to do something else too, we've given up on swimming for now because he wasn't getting anywhere (although he's got the basics) and as I've yet to meet anyone who can get him to listen and do as he's told I'm a bit reluctant to foist him onto an unsuspecting coach or cub leader, etc... I'd quite like him to do rugby, but he's a bit young, and I'm not keen on martial arts for those so young as some can struggle not to show off their "skills" in the playground <dons flameproof suit >.

Also DD's now in the juniors at school so activities have really taken off - she's managed to get into the cross country squad for two competitions (which her school won!) and is also doing Dawnsio Gwerin (folk dancing) for the local round of the Urdd Eisteddfod at the end of this week. Basically she's an odd child, very shy and retiring, hardly speaks, but is always the first to get involved in anything!

Jxx

moomoomama27

My middle child used to go to a very expensive dance school, her lessons cost far more than the others, but she excelled in it, and at the time loved it! She has since given up, but I don't go by the cost, I go by what they enjoy and try to make it as eual as I can!

It did get to a point where almost everyday there was some club, and we were all getting exhausted, now we've limited it to 2 clubs/ extra cirricular activities per week, per child.

diddyangel

I have 2 daughters and spend approximately £35 a week (£140 a month) on activities, not including kit/uniforms and dancing shows - I'd hate to think how much it would be if it did!!

7 year old does:
Gymnastics - 1 hour £4.50 weekly
Swimming lesson - 30 minutes £4 weekly
Dancing (3 lessons)- 2 hrs 15 mins £12 weekly (total for all 3)


4 year old does
Swimming lesson - 30 minutes £4 weekly
Dancing (3 lessons) - 1 hr 45 mins £10 weekly (total for all 3)

milliebear00001

My 7 year old does:

Brownies
Gymnastics
Tennis
Science Club

and has just dropped swimming as things were getting ridiculous!

I spend about £13 per week on these (science club runs via school and is free).

My 4 year old does nothing. He doesn't want to go to any activities because he's too shy to go anywhere without mum and dad - suits me fine for now. certainly no guilt!

kingfisherblue

My two boys both go to Scouts, which is £2 a week each. The older one has Down's syndrome and numerous medical problems, so he doesn't go to camp. The younger one has camp every two or three months, at about £15 per camp. I've bought him stuff like camp mat, sleeping bag, thermal clothes, etc just for camp.

My younger lad also goes to karate, which is £3 a week. Insurance is £4 a year, and the suit is £16.50, with an additional £4 per belt - he's only just started, so initial costs have been higher, but this has settled down to the £3 a week now. He is also learning the flute, but this is through school and there is no charge.

Both boys are members of a local group for children with disabilities and their siblings, so there is spending money for any outings, plus lunches if we are out for the day. Parents have to attend this group as it is parent led and not staffed.

Deaf Club is free, but the boys have £1 spend each for drinks and a few sweets. Both attend, as it is an inclusive club. You don't have to be deaf to attend. My older son does have some hearing difficulties, but both enjoy the club and both are interested in sign language.

Overall, my youngest costs more than my oldest in terms of clubs. My (now adult) daughter tried all sorts of activities, but only really settled at Brownies, which was £1.20 a week.

I don't think the cost matters as much as the opportunity and the enjoyment that the children get from their activities. I don't spend much compared to several parents that I know, but my kids are happy with what they do, and that is all that matters.

squeakysue

I dread to think how much we spend,

Dd
Rainbows £2.50
ballet approx £4.50
Swimming £5.75
Dance £3.50
Art club free :j

Ds
Swimming £5.75
Football £3.50
Kickboxing £3
Football £3.00
Guitar £10
Tag rugby free

It has just happened that ds does more since he is older and has recently got into football, sometimes he will go 3 times a week. Dd will be starting lessons in an instrument next year when she is in juniors too so that will be more. (dd is 6 and ds is 9).

lisawal1971

Hi

Ds1 who is 8:

Ski club/ ski slope membership 40/month
Freestyle trampolining 4.20/every other week
Ski team fitness training 2.20/ every other week
On snow session 20 to 40/ week
Drums through school 5/week
Clarinet through school free
Sports club through school 2/week

Ds2 who is 4

Ski club/ ski slope membership 40/month
Ice skating 5/week
On snow ski session 12/week



Scary when you write it down but Ds1 is in a competitive ski team and it involves some pretty specific training.

mum2twinsx2

My twin girls do the following;
tap £24 p/m
ballet £24 p/m
Swimming £30 p/m
That is for both of them.

Lucky enough ballet wear and tap are the same leotard, skirt, tights and wrap around cardigan. Just the shoes which are different.
They want to do horse riding, but said speak to their dad when they speak to him next:rotfl:.