SIMON TIERNEYfinds ways to live well with less cash
PARENT CHILD ACTIVITIES
My favourite game to play with my friend’s eight year old is “Would you rather be . . .?” Taking cruel advantage of my years, I often confuse him with complex language. “Would you rather be . . . decadent or ascetic?” To which he would choose whichever sounded “cooler”.
The tables were turned when he took advantage of my dearth of football knowledge and asked: “Would you rather be Messi or Ballack?” What I heard was, “Would you rather be messy or black?”
I was taken aback and felt it incumbent upon me to give the child some moral instruction. I was definitely taken down a peg or two that day when I was corrected and have avoided this particular activity since.
Play and explore
Go Safari (Unit A1 Fota Retail Park, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, tel: 021-4389222) is a children’s activity centre with Ireland’s only indoor zip wire. There are 15 family passes (worth €7.50) available to the first people to email info@gosafari.ie, quoting “Giveaway”.
Stay Play (Mount Merrion Community Centre, Co Dublin, tel: 086-2734530) is a parent/carer and toddler group. It is offering a free session for first-timers. The drop-in classes are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10.30am-noon.
ClapHandies ( claphandies.com) runs weekly Parent Child PlayLabs. The classes are in 16 centres across Dublin and beyond.
There are three age groups: babies, wobblers and toddlers, with lots of music and imaginative play. There are 30 free trial classes to the first who email info@claphandies.com and quote “freeplaylab”.
Music and exercise
Tiny Tempos ( tinytempos.com) run music classes for kids (nine months to four years) in Beechwood Community Centre (Ranelagh, Dublin 6) and St Gabriel's Parish Centre (Clontarf, Dublin 3). Using singing, percussion instruments and musical games, this is a great way to nurture your child's musical side. There are two free classes (worth €10) available to the first 30 people to email tinytempos@gmail.com
FitKids ( fitkids.ie, tel: 0818-300350) runs gymnastic and multi-sports fitness classes for children aged two to 12. It is offering a free class (normally €4/€5) to those who email headoffice@fitkids.ie, quoting "FitKids Offer". Visit its website for locations nationwide.
Tots on tour
Babies on Board Tours are free and run at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts History, Collins Barracks (7 Benburb Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7, 01-6777444) on the last Thursday of every month, 11.30am-12.15pm.
Imaginosity (The Plaza, Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, Dublin 18, tel: 01-2176130) is a creative, educational and interactive space. It is offering four family passes (worth €32) to the first people to email lauren@imaginosity.ie.
Cork Central Library (Grand Parade, Cork, 021-4924900) runs free story, song and craft time for children on Wednesdays at 2pm. Galway City Centre Library (St Augustine Street, Galway, tel: 091-561666) offers free story time on Fridays at 11am.
Last but not least . . . Bray beach is great for kids with its long stretch of sand and lots of rocks, which my nephews love climbing. Aviation enthusiasts should pop down to the Phoenix Park (near the Papal Cross) on Saturdays at 11am for model airplane demonstrations.
