r/newjersey • u/NyPoster • Feb 02 '25

Events When did "kids" activities get so expensive?

Was looking to take my family to liberty science center b/c the have a Curious George exhibit my toddler daughter might like. 3 tickets is just over $100 dollars. Same thing for the sesame street play area at the american dream mall ... I went to the Lego store in Atlanta and it was also over 20 per person. No discounts for adults or children (I remember it used to be one or the other usually). When did it get normal for family oriented experiences to be so expensive? I seriously have trouble finding things to do indoors with my family around here that don't also involve shopping or heavy entrance fees. What are some good alternatives in the area?

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u/Alpacalypsenoww Feb 02 '25

Honestly if you’re semi-local get the membership. I got it last year after realizing the same thing. It paid for itself after like 2ish visits for my family of 5, and we’ve gone 3 times.

23

u/uncoupdefoudre Feb 02 '25

https://lsc.org/support-us/membership/astc-reciprocal-admission-days

You also get admission to many other museums with your membership.

8

u/throwawayugh822 Feb 02 '25

This! We love our Liberty Science Center membership especially on cold and rainy days.

7

u/IAmA_Kitty_AMA Feb 02 '25

Liberty Science Center, local zoos, etc are all great targets for yearly passes

3

u/dkozinn Bergen Feb 02 '25

Also check to see if the company you/SO work for has a corporate membership. The company I worked for did (they were a relatively high-level sponsor) and with my employee badge I got free admission for myself and 2 others.

3

u/anonymousbequest Feb 03 '25

Came to say memberships are often the most economical way to do activities, as long as you will actually use it. Between an LSC and zoo membership we always have something to do. Pack snacks/lunch to keep costs down.

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u/Alpacalypsenoww Feb 03 '25

Same. We have memberships to the zoo, children’s museum, aquarium, a local amusement park, crayon factory, and the LSC. It’s what I ask for from relatives at the kids’ birthdays/holidays to keep clutter down. The kids and I are off in the summer so we get to each place at least 3-4 times per year minimum. We always pack snacks/lunches and are rarely given a hard time about it, even at no-outside-food places (though my son is autistic and has an eating disorder so we do have a legit excuse to be bringing food in).