Classes/activities for children

balletshoes

I only have one DD, she's done 2 activities per week after school in the past (dancing which was then £2.50 for half an hour, and swimming which was £3.70 for half an hour).

At the moment she just does dancing, but its now just over 2 hours per week, and is now £8.50 per week. She will also be starting school-subsidised saxophone lessons in September, I think that works out at around £2 per week.

But you're right, its all the paraphernalia that goes with the classes that costs the money.

cte1111

My DD is 9 and does various after school clubs (netball, pottery, cooking and book club) plus swimming and Brownies. I know this sounds like a lot but she loves being busy and in fact I have to swap the after school ones round every term as there are other clubs she likes too (gardening, film club and athletics).

My DS is 5 and does football, drama and art club after school, also swimming lessons. He's less keen on activities but is happy with the ones that he is doing now, mainly because his friends go to the same ones. I have to admit to guiding them both towards clubs that finish at the same time in the same place in order not to spend my whole life going backwards and forwards!

In the past I've struggled to pay for all my DDs clubs, particularly dance when she was doing that so I've asked relatives if they would pay towards her activities rather than give presents, which my Mum and Aunt have been happy to do as they know how much she enjoys them. If anyone gives her money for presents then I used to put this into a savings account and it has been used to buy Brownie uniform and some of her dance clothes.

We fortunately have more free money than we had in the past but if I couldn't afford all the activities, I would explain to the children and ask them to choose with me which ones they wanted to carry on with. It's a good lesson to learn, that we can't have or do everything that we want as money (as well as time) is a limitation on us all.

*Louise*

DS1 used to got to film club, football club and trombone lessons through the school and all free free. He also started up a chess club for a while, he has never cost me much money lol. Now he has moved to high school he doesn't have anything at the moment but we are waiting to hear about extra piano lessons at school which will be £150 for the year.

DS2 is on the waiting list for the local swimming group, and he has done blocks of rugby and zumbatonic clases through the year

DD does ballet every week at £4 per class. No doubt she will get involvd in school clubs when she starts there in August

rainbow81

DS is 8 and does Spanish at £45 a term (10 lessons) straight after school. Swimming is during school time and is free.

He goes to an after-school club at the YMCA 3 times a week which has different activities all the time but is more childcare than educational. Still, it exposes him to more variety which is a good thing.

I would be prepared to pay for one more class/activity each week but he is not interested. There are loads of clubs at school but he won't go. (He also has ASD).

LunaLady

DS1 - Scouts (£6.75 a term), street dance (£3.50 a week)
DS2 - Trampolining (£3 a week), swimming (£15.50 a lesson)
DD - Horse riding (15 a week). Will start Rainbows after her birthday.

shirlgirl2004

Mine both do trampolining, gymnastics, ballet, tap, horse riding, violin, singing and swimming. In addition DD1 does Brownies although the youngest will start Rainbows in September. So that is roughly £105 a week plus Brownies which is £25 per term.

booma_mitch

My eldest DS does homework club, cricket, rounders and netball after school activities which are all free and then he does Beavers (£6.25 per month), cricket practice twice a week, cricket match every fortnight in summer (cricket in total costs about £50 a season) and football training twice a week which is £3.50 a week. He wants to start Rugby as well but I have told him football has to go if he does.

Youngest doesn't do anything yet.

Janepig

booma_mitch wrote: »

My eldest DS does homework club, cricket, rounders and netball after school activities which are all free and then he does Beavers (£6.25 per month), cricket practice twice a week, cricket match every fortnight in summer (cricket in total costs about £50 a season) and football training twice a week which is £3.50 a week. He wants to start Rugby as well but I have told him football has to go if he does.

Youngest doesn't do anything yet.

DS would quite like to do rugby with DD's team's under 7's (and they're quite keen to have him) but it clashes with his football training, which he loves, and, having watched DD's under 9's rugby tournament afew weeks ago and been scared witless by the other parents, I've decided that my baby boy isn't going within a mile of a rugby pitch. He can stick to football.

Jx

Lynn11

My DD is 5 and goes to dancing on monday night (£10 for 4 weeks) which she loves and her wee friend also goes and she is good at remembering the dances and gymnastics on a saturday morning which she has been going to since she was 2. Due to start school so not sure if we will continue her going to brownies or girls bridage as well - next year I want her to go to swimming lessons but will see how much it all costs.

teacherandmum

wow!! myDD (5) doesnt do any clubs. we have very little choice in our area. We go swimming as a family (me, DH, 2 DDs) probably once a month. We go to the park, out for walks etc at the weekend. We are members of the National Trust so also visit properties.
DD is keen to go to holiday club at school this year - one day a week when i go into school to do planning etc. its £16.50 a day and they are going swimming and other trips such as the cinema and the beach.