Family outings are days for making memories and, sometimes, breaking budgets. Remember cold days at the beach when there was more "sand" than "wich" in your meal? Nowadays, most families have bigger budgets for special occasions and the celebration may involve a meal, amusement, a scenic location or a combination of the three. These day-trips are often multigenerational events so choices are made to suit the whole family.
In two weeks, the "family outing season", begins with milder weather, Communions and Confirmations. Based on the number of Baptisms eight years ago, almost 100,000 children in the State may make their First Communion in the next three months. That means almost 100,000 family outings or meals.
Family outings may be an expensive proposition but some shops, restaurants and amusement centres offer family discounts or children's menus year-round to lure the lucrative family market. At this time of year, a few places offer special discounts or deals targeting the captive communion and confirmation audience.
Leisureplex with locations in Blanchardstown, Coolock, Tallaght, Stillorgan and MacCurtain Street, Cork, distributed communion/confirmation vouchers for one free game of bowling or Quasar to shops selling outfits for the day. In Dublin, participating shops include: Arnott's, Clerys, Cripps footwear, Clarke's shoes and "The Sisters" shoes in Tallaght.
Leisureplex admission prices vary depending on the day, time and activity. Children's bowling prices Monday through Friday range from £2.35 (€2.98) to £3.80 including shoe hire, while adults pay between £2.50 to £3.80 with shoes. Hourly prices are £13 to £22. On weekends, prices start at £2.40 and go to £3.80 including shoes, or from £13 to £22 an hour.
Prices for snooker range from £3.40 to £5.50 based on the day time and size of table. Quasar may cost between £2 and £3.95 based on length of play, day of week and time of day.
If you mix bowling and Quasar, special prices apply. Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. children pay £3.50 and adults £4.10. After 6 p.m. during the week, Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, kids and adults pay £5.50 including shoe hire.
Chicago Pizza Pie on St Stephen's Green, owned by Leisureplex, also offers a communion/confirmation voucher through the above shops. When the family buys three meals of greater or lesser value, the communion or confirmation child receives a free kids meal valued at £4.25. According to the manager, Sunday afternoons are the busiest day for families.
Educationally-minded parents may choose the traditional favourite, Dublin Zoo, which sells admission tickets for an adult at £6 and child for £3.50. Family rates are: £17.50 for two adults and two children; £20 two adults, three children; £22 two adults, four children. This is a saving on the regular ticket price of £1.50, £2.50 and £4 respectively.
For a quiet day out, UCI Cinemas offers £2 tickets for adults and children for films screened before noon. Otherwise, children pay £3.20 in Blanchardstown and Tallaght UCI Cinemas and £3 in Coolock. If kids are taken to the films before 5 p.m., the accompanying adult pays the matinee price of £3.70 and £3.50 in the cinemas respectively. Adult evening tickets cost £5.20 and £5; students £3.70 and £3; senior citizens £3.70 and £3. On Saturday mornings, a "kids club special" is £1.75 at all three cinemas.
Fast-food restaurants are still a big hit with youngsters. In the second week of May, Eddie Rocket's will launch a new children's menu. For £2.95 kids have a choice of a mini-Eddie burger, sausage dog, chicken nuggets or golden fishes. Each meal comes with fries and choice of small soda, small milkshake or glass of milk. Food is served on a frisbee with Eddie Rocket's logo, and kids get free crayons, a novelty toy and may enter a colouring competition.
McDonald's continues its ongoing "Happy Meals" promotions for £1.99. The price includes: a regular burger, cheeseburger, nuggets or fish fingers with regular fries, drink and a toy. New toys are arriving at participating outlets in May.
Some families choose a restaurant they will all enjoy, with hotels the most popular choice. In Dublin, a restaurant or hotel meal may cost between £20£40 per person, in Galway, Cork and other cities expect to pay between £15-£30, while venues outside urban areas charge from £12.50 to £25 a head.
Whatever your choice this outing season, remember that family buying power means the opportunity for bargains, discounts or special deals. All you have to do is ask for them.
