As the popularity of kids' cafes, where children can play with their peers while parents can take a breather, rises, the usage fees are also increasing correspondingly. Hosting a birthday party for children and inviting their friends can cost at least several hundred thousand won. While local governments operate public kids' cafes, there are concerns that this does not significantly alleviate the financial burden on parents.
◇Increasing entrance and beverage prices while eliminating 'half-day tickets'
This year, various fees at large kids' cafes have been consecutively raised. The popular franchise kids' cafe 'PongPongFlower' increased the weekday entrance fee for guardians from 3,000 won to 5,000 won, a 66% increase based on the member price in February.
Some locations of another kids' cafe, 'Petit Monde,' raised the additional usage fee from 1,000 won to 1,500 won per 30 minutes. At the same time, the price of a warm Americano was increased by 10%, from 4,800 won to 5,300 won.
The well-known kids' cafe 'Kiwi Kids Land' in Busan raised the weekday children's entrance fee from 12,000 won to 15,000 won, a 25% increase, and the holiday entrance fee from 14,000 won to 19,000 won, a 36% increase, in April.
Some places have effectively raised prices by encouraging customers to choose more expensive tickets. The large kids' cafe 'Hero Play Park' eliminated the half-day tickets (4 hours) and is only selling basic tickets (2 hours) and all-day tickets (unlimited) since last November during public holidays. Parents who previously used the half-day tickets have ended up purchasing all-day tickets, reasoning that it is inconvenient to come all the way to the suburbs just to use the facility for only 2 hours.
Kids' cafes are also venues for children's birthday parties. In the case of 'PongPongFlower,' they accept reservations for birthday parties on weekends and holidays at a rate of 40,000 won per person, for a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 40 guests. The party room rental fee of 100,000 won is additional. If 9 friends are invited for the minimum scale birthday party, the total expense would come to at least 500,000 won.
Jeong Mo, a 35-year-old working woman raising two children, noted, "Even if parents share the expense, it's still a considerable amount of money," adding, "However, there aren't many suitable places to socialize, so renting a kids' cafe is an unavoidable choice."
Parents who use kids' cafes say that the financial burden is high not only from the entrance fees but also from additional costs that include meals. Choi Mo, a 39-year-old office worker, said, "Children want to go to kids' cafes," but added, "Considering the snacks for the kids and coffee and meals for parents, it’s hard to go every week." Park Mo, a 32-year-old with elementary school children, mentioned, "When staying all day with an all-day ticket, it feels like you’re getting your money's worth, but ultimately, the meal costs add up making it expensive."
In some cases, patrons must purchase specific products sold by the venue to enter the kids' cafe. Jeong Mo, a housewife in her 40s, said, "Sometimes you can't enter without buying the anti-slip socks sold on-site," explaining, "Even though it’s an unpleasant necessity, I buy those socks and put them on my child's feet."
As kids' cafe businesses thrive, unique kids' cafes aiming to capture parents' hearts have emerged. The 'Dream Doctor,' a medical experience center that opened in December last year in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang City, is promoting itself as a kids' cafe. Children can wear doctor gowns and experience 10 different medical departments, including emergency medicine, orthopedics, and dermatology. Prices are set at 28,000 won for children and 8,000 won for guardians based on a 4-hour ticket. Reviews in some mom cafes state, "It's worth a try," while others note, "It's still expensive."
◇Public kids' cafes are cheap but have usage restrictions and may be closed on holidays
Some local governments operate public kids' cafes to ease the burden on parents. However, there are usage restrictions, and to receive discount benefits, one often must participate in a so-called 'open run.'
The 'Seoul-type kids' cafe' operated by the Seoul City has usage fees ranging from 1,000 won to 5,000 won, making it cheaper than private kids' cafes. However, the downside is that it can only be used during fixed time slots. The first session is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the second session is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; parents and children must use the facility during those exact times and can only use one session per day. In some cases, only one guardian can enter.
In addition, the Seoul-type kids' cafe has designated holidays every week. It's common for working parents to find the kids' cafes closed on national holidays and Labor Day, when they can usually take their children to the cafes.
Seoul City issued 'Seoul-type kids' cafe money' vouchers allowing use at designated private kids' cafes at a 20% discount. When the second issuance, worth 1 billion won, was released on the morning of the 29th, 83% of it was sold in just one day. This indicates that customers must purchase in advance to receive discount benefits immediately.