Are summer entertainment costs too high?

picture by Teri Ann Paisley

As summer rears its head a number of parents begin the dreaded task of trying to decide how they are going to entertain their young charges.  It is this time of year that parents and others begin to resent the teaching profession.

After all, how dare teachers enjoy a break when parents and store owners are now faced with the challenge of supervising school aged children.

Children during the summer decide that staying at home is ‘boring’, their favourite word and so they pester their parents to allow them to go and do something exciting.

Those parents who have the time and money might plan for expensive trips abroad that will cater to the short attention span of young ones.  There are numerous attractions abroad such as amusement parks and other attractions that can be very intriguing and during the summer they offer special packages and a discounted rate.

Jamaican Entertainment Costs

What about those who are not able to leave the country? Those parents and children will then be forced to enjoy the programmes offered locally.  There are quite a few summer programmes offered that include field trips that expose children to various aspects of life.

These programmes are usually attached to schools and of course they attract a cost. That cost varies but the programmes inclusive of activities can cost up to $10,000 per week.

If summer school is not your choice, you can also consider going to the movies which will run up to $1050 if your child is over 12 and $580 if they younger.  The price increases if the movie  has a 3D effect.  Of course at this time theatres usually offer special day time shows at a reduced cost.

If you are thinking of trying something different, there is a new bowling alley that recently opened in Manor Centre Kingston.

The bowling alley accommodates a minimum party of two, who each pay $1,150 for 15 minutes of bowling from Mondays to Thursdays, and $1,350 each for 15 minutes Fridays to Sundays. Children pay $600 during the week and $700 on weekends.
Based on the high cost of entertainment are we shortchanging our children?
Well the average cost for a movie ticket in the U.S. is  $8.12 (approximately $116.39),  so our prices are really not so far off the mark.

Summer Options

There are other ways to entertain children in Jamaica that costs little to nothing at all!
So if the entertainment costs seem a bit much remember your youthful days of running around outside, climbing trees, riding bikes and generally enjoying your childhood and encourage your children to partake of these activities!

What’s your take? Let me hear from you!

Gleaner online writer

Tags: summer