Rumpus Rooms

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kashismum

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Having started at $75 ad rising to $90, it seems the price has now gone up to $120/session.

I don't know about other parents, but I feel the business model for this place is slightly strange. I've often asked about the extremely limited opening hours and the response that the staff already work long hours is less than convincing. To me, the whole appeal of the place is as a drop-in centre; no need to book, no need to be there at certain prescribed times, etc. Yet, in practice, we are limited to two sessions a day. Why not hire additional staff and stay open until 6pm and all day on Saturdays & Sundays? The extra cost of the staff must be minimal.

Personally, I will think twice about paying $120. Despite the nightmarish booking system, I can go to the Toy Library in C.Bay for free.

Interested to hear others' comments.
 
Dear Kashismum,

Thanks for your comments, but I would like to clarify a few points.

Firstly time - We are open from 10-4 daily Monday - Friday, and by popular demand on Saturday til 12:30. You can come any time you like and stay as long as you like. Throughout the summer we extended the time to be from 10-5 but everyone still ended up going at about 4pm in any case, so we dropped that plan - as I am sure you would have done in my shoes.

There have been a large number of occasions when a group has called to say they would like to stay later - we are always glad to do so. If there are 4 or more babies who want to stay - just let us know in the morning before you come.

Secondly Price :- The $75 was an introductory price which we ran for the first 3 months to introduce Rumpus to people, with aim to put the price up to $90 after that. We also introduced pre paid tickets which were, effectively $80/time (many people took advantage of this, especially if their helpers were taking their babies)

With regards to the Business Model, We initially thought that people would visit us for about an hour a time, as it turns out most people come for well over 2 hours, which means for each visit, and, as we have a limited capacity in the room, it was uneconomical to run at $40/hour/baby.

Again, at the request of our regular mums, during the week we also added song times - which have just been extended to include more active ones, and messy time, and magazines for mums to read. Our customers still stay for over 2 hours - which is great, they even give their babies lunch here too before they go, but we have had to put our prices up to compensate for the length of time people use our facility.

People who by a 10 ticket package, are effectively paying $50/hour, which is not much, or $60/hour if is it a single visit customer.

You probably think it is unfair of me to quote "hourly" prices when we don't give a cost by the hour, we only charge a flat rate. We asked our Mum if they would rather pay by the hour and most said no, they prefer a flat rate as most of their friends don't turn up on time and they don't want to "clock watch" so they prefer an all in price.

There are a large number of free things to do in HK, but most of them don't have over 500 toys, specifically chosen to educate and stimulate babies and toddlers all of which are cleaned 3 times a day (except the 1200 ball play pit which is cleaned at the end of each day).

The Rumpus Rooms is completely flexible in terms of the day or time you want to come. There are not many places in HK that you can take your baby and simply relax and chat to your friends in the knowledge that your little one will have as good a time as you and your friends are.

I hope this helps you understand our position a bit better.

Thanks, Tanya
 
Kashismum,

Lets see now, if you want to go to Central Library you have to spend 20 mins each day for about 3 days trying to get through in order to book a space for 7 days time (I wonder what sort of mood Kashi will be in then, need more sleep, tired, hungry, poorly, teething?)

OK so, you get to Central library, spend $34+ dollars each way. You have your free 45 mins there, most of the time you spend queuing up trying to book out a toy, which Kashi is interested in for 2 mins. Then you have to return it and choose another one from the very limited selection for under 2s…. Oh and Who is entertaining Kashi while you queue? Maybe a friend who is having to do the same thing for her disenchanted little one….

In the mean time the older children are charging around, bounding over Kashi, who by now is confused and a bit pissed off and probably been knocked flat a couple of times. 45 mins is up. Out you go. She’s had no fun, you have had no fun, you are about $80 down, but it was free….

Hope you have a blast. Once you’ve done that a few times, I’ll bet you will see why we all LOVE the Rumpus Rooms. It is wonderful, I love it, my friends love it and all the toddlers love it.
 
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I was really surprised to see Kashismums' negative comments regarding The Rumpus Rooms.

I have been taking my, now 2 1/2 year old there regularly since it opened and she and I have had nothing but fun.

When I moved here with my baby, I knew few people with children and Rumpus gave me and her not only the chance to meet and socialise with other parents and children, but a fun, friendly, relaxed, clean and safe environment to do it in.

Most people with small children experience the difficulty just leaving the house can bring, especially with an unco-operative child! and taking that child to a class or club, maybe the other side of town for a certain time, can seem impossible, not to mention stressful! This is one of the great things about Rumpus, it's really hard to be late, even for my daughter and I!

The quantity and quality of toys there is outstanding and my daughter still manages to find new things to interest her and explore, while I get the chance to meet with new and old friends to swap stories, gain advice and have a laugh.

As for price increase, well, that's life, I think Tanya has explained that fully. All I can say is that for my money, it's still fantastic value. It works out a great deal cheaper than most other activities here in Hong Kong, most of which want you out the door as soon as your 45 minutes, or hour are up.

Suffice to say, we too love Rumpus.
 
That's the nature of forums such as these-disagreements are bound to arise as we are all free to express our opinions.
I also echo some of the positive comments posted here; I was simply raising a few points on which I felt there was room for improvement.
At the end of the day, we all have the option of voting with our feet. I dare say I will be back; just not as frequently as I might otherwise.
 
Where is Rumpus Room

Can someone tell me where Rumpus Room is? Just moved here and am looking for things to do with my 2 1/2 year old boy.

Also, does anyone know of gymnastics or sports classes for toddlers?

Thanks.
 
My friends love My Gym - but there is a very long waiting list.
You can also look at Gym for Tots (haven't tried) or socca Tots, which my friends love - They both have boys, but are younger than yours.
 
there's also little gym in tsimshastui and i think there's a new one called JWT gym, not sure where it is located though
 
I've been looking for places to go to let my baby just "play". For me, $120 is too much. I'd be willing to pay $50-60 to just hang out somewhere and play with toys.
You never know how long you'd be there depending on the mood of the child. COuld be 15 minutes or 2 hours.

I also need to find someplace flexible since I work on call. Most places in HK aren't flexible enough such as My Gym. If you miss a class, there aren't that many make up classes available, and they might be full.

The time I went to Central Library was a big joke. The 'quota" was full even though there were no babies in the baby area.
 
I noticed some chat about the Happy Valley Community Centre on another site.
Not sure as I have not been but may offer the drop in free play you are after. They mentioned soft play equipment and toys.
 
Bizeemama said:
I noticed some chat about the Happy Valley Community Centre on another site.
Not sure as I have not been but may offer the drop in free play you are after. They mentioned soft play equipment and toys.
Click to expand...

Here's a list of free indoor playrooms run by the Govt.

http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/ls_fac_playroom.php

They are quite basic and nowhere as nice as Rumpus Rooms. Also, there aren't any educational toys.
 
The Central Toy Library in C.Bay can be extremely frustrating but once you learn to navigate the system, it's actually OK. Once you get booking, you can generally book a slot for the following week on your way in/out. It's not ideal but it's convenient for me and it is free.
The most frustrating part is the pseudo division of babies and children yet one central booking system. Also, the sessions are a bit short at 45 mins but we usually pop across to the park for some swinging before heading home.
 
more rumpus?

Hello all

I think The Rumpus Rooms are great - good value, you can spend lots of time there, you are never hurried out, you can meet up with friends easily or just sit and read a magazine.

In fact, any chance of opening another one Tanya, say in Pokfulam or Repulse Bay?!!!!

eos
 
How about a Rumpus Room is Sai Kung?

I agree with eos...or how about in Sai Kung? There are a lot of babies and toddlers in Sai Kung, but just not enough baby/toddler and parent friendly facilities. The playgrounds here are built for older kids and we are stuck at home if the it rains, or if the weather is too hot/cold...
 
Wow 120$ does seem expensive. That is 17$ canadian. Is that per child? Or does that include as many children as you have.Are there slides and climbing eeqipment for toddlers there? I was hoping to find indoor playgrounds to use when we come to Hk.In canada I pay $2.10 canadain to go to the city run indoor playgroud, which is excellent and clean and I can stay as long as I want. it is open 830 am to 800 pm everyday. Even the more expensive one run by the YMCA is only $ 4.00.
 
Hi Capital,

You won't find the same pricing here. HK rents are expensive. You can try the gov't playrooms. I've posted the link above.

Rani
 
I thought I had heard about a soft play area in Stanley and a group in Happy Valley a long time ago. Was I dreaming? Has anyone come across any of these?
 
I agree with Kashismum,
What is it about Hong Kong that makes really sane people do insane things. I'm sorry but I feel traipsing half way across HK to go to somewhere like the Rumpus Rooms is a waste of time. Really by the time you have either driven there/ used other means of transport then negotiated a vey difficult road/path area then spent a while there and then had to get out of that area again its really just too much. Why on earth would anyone pay $120 dollars to go and sit in a padded cell with slobber covered toys ( they may have been given a cursory wiping - I'm a microbiologist by trade and I know how ineffective that is)
This whole "just drop in " attitude also stinks. Every time I ever went there was either helpers there with kids. ( too big an age range - my child was nearly bashed into several times by one other unruly toddler who's helper did nothing to stop him) or a couple of other mums, some I had brief chats with..but this whole meeting new people thing is just not going to work in that sort of environ.
Lets get real, there are many many other brilliant places in HK that cost nothing to do...probably many much nearer to where you live than the Rumpus Rooms is. Think about it, when you yourself were young did you have to go to expensive "playrooms" to have a fulfilled and happy childhood? probably NO....lets get real HK mums...think about it. Be creative and do fun things with your child...walks, playgrounds in pretty places,free art at home (invite a few friends around), beach fun...collect shells and sticks do art on the beach...but really is it worth shelling out money on something that has absolutely no value for your child.You're probably more likely to meet happy like minded new friends doing activities that stimulate you and your child. What do you achieve by going to the rumpus rooms, well maybe an overstimulated child ( any educationalist will tell you too much choice does not mean your child is making good choices with things to play) Also the rather batty Circle time/song time. Tanya what are your teaching credentials...none I suspect. I agree the business plan is bizarre.......its basically anyone can come with any age child...and just drop in... HU???? Its sound so uncommittal but that is just what it is... a half hearted attempt to purloin money from the pockets of people who just want to do the best by their child, but actually what is the actual gain. Lets get real. People who run shows like the Rumpus rooms and other such ideas in HK are not in it for YOU they are in it for themselves.
Do YOU really need to go somewhere like there, don't fall into the HK trap of feeling like you have to do things like the Rumpus Rooms...your child will develop just nicely under your guidance...trust yourself. Also I suspect many threads posted on here are from Tanya, the owner of Rumpus rooms, herself under different guises trying to play up her business ( Keryn and Eos????...theyre far too positive and are actually advertising the rumpus rooms...read the threads!!).... by all means HK mums go along and see...But remember your child deserves the best. Save the money for when they are older and give them the fun of the great outdoors and other free things in HK,the old addage "the best things in life are free" certainly counts in this instance.
 
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