28 MAY 2015
Let's just say it: sometimes you want to be a free agent at Comic-Con. You want to go to certain panels so badly that you sit through the two or three panels before them; you want to examine box after box after box of back issues; you want to wait for 3 hours in a Ballroom 20 line; you want to go to the Hyatt bar at 2 p.m. and sit with a stiff drink while you reevaluate all of your nerd choices.
These things can be hard to do when you have a small person clutching your hand. Great as SDCC is for kids - and there is a lot for kids of all ages, from panels to workshops to amazing Exhibit Hall activities - they can be bored out of their minds by some of our panels and activities. They can whine, fidget, demand to be fed at inconvenient times and so on. Luckily parents can resolve all of that by enlisting the expert help of KiddieCorp.
This is the childcare option that is right on site in the convention center. KiddieCorp offers kids from babies to 12-year-olds a range of activities, snacks and drinks so you can:
1) go have fun without worried about your child being bored or neglected
2) still be able to get to them quickly if you need to
If you're nervous about leaving your cherished offspring with strangers, KiddieCorp has been doing this at the Con for 29 years - so don't worry they're some fly-by-night operation. I don't have kids but I've only heard positive things about them.
The staff to child ratios are "high enough to ensure every child feels special" and the activities are tailored to a variety of kid moods, whether they're feeling quiet, rambunctious, artistic or adventurous. Legos, an artist's alley, books, and games are all on hand; you may experience KiddieCorp envy after a certain number of hours in the Hall H line. And don't think your kid will miss out on the SDCC experience. Every child is encouraged to come dressed as their favorite comic or sci-fi character.
Here's how it works:
Cost: 10/hour for ages 6 months - 2 years old; after that it's 8/hour for kids 3-12. That's for kids registered online before 19 June; after that prices go up a bit. And the whole program is free to Exhibitors' kids during set-up and tear-down.
Signing up: good news, there is not a highly competitive online sale involved. You can register online or by fax. The deadline is 19 June.
What you'll need to bring: a change of clothes, meals, diapers and formula.
Obviously even first-timers have heard that SDCC lines are lethal and the crowds are overwhelming. However, there's no real way to anticipate the intensity of either until you're there. The whole experience can leave adults feeling overwhelmed, emotional, hungry and exhausted; for kids it can feel even more chaotic. Scheduling some free time for you and a refuge for your children can be a great idea. Just something to take into account while you figure out how to have the most fun Con possible for you and your family.
Showing posts with label childcare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label childcare. Show all posts
Need childcare? Register now with KiddieCorp
22 MAY 2014
I just want to apologize for this blog's plunge into the doldrums of angst and bureaucracy. Soon enough we will get to the fun part of Comic-Con news - the panels, the parties, the toys, the scandals.
But today we're still stuck on the arrangements part of attending the Con, namely, arranging care for your offspring. You can register now with KiddieCorp to offload your kids onto trained professionals, so you can roam the Con unencumbered. If this is your first time using the service, they're right there on site, they've been doing this for 28 years (!) and they offer the kids a range of activities, snacks and drinks. In other words, you don't need to feel guilty for parking your kids while you go have fun.
What you need to supply: diapers, formula, change of clothes and meals.
Age range: Infancy - 12 years old
When you need to register by: 23 June, but space is limited - so claim your space sooner rather than later. You can register after that but prices go up and well, this is Comic-Con, so there's no guarantee there will be space left.
Cost: $9 an hour for kids 6 months - 2 years old; $7 an hour for kids 3-12. Those prices are only good until 23 June. After that, rates go up to $11 and $9.
If you're new to parenting at Comic-Con, it's good to think now about lines, plans and your child's aptitude for all of it. Things like being pushed around in a stroller in a crowded Exhibit Hall can be intimidating for small people, and the general stress and loudness of the experience can wear some kids out fast. (And some adults.) So it's not a bad idea to have contingency plans for if your kid hits a wall and needs a break.
Find out more here.
I just want to apologize for this blog's plunge into the doldrums of angst and bureaucracy. Soon enough we will get to the fun part of Comic-Con news - the panels, the parties, the toys, the scandals.
But today we're still stuck on the arrangements part of attending the Con, namely, arranging care for your offspring. You can register now with KiddieCorp to offload your kids onto trained professionals, so you can roam the Con unencumbered. If this is your first time using the service, they're right there on site, they've been doing this for 28 years (!) and they offer the kids a range of activities, snacks and drinks. In other words, you don't need to feel guilty for parking your kids while you go have fun.
What you need to supply: diapers, formula, change of clothes and meals.
Age range: Infancy - 12 years old
When you need to register by: 23 June, but space is limited - so claim your space sooner rather than later. You can register after that but prices go up and well, this is Comic-Con, so there's no guarantee there will be space left.
Cost: $9 an hour for kids 6 months - 2 years old; $7 an hour for kids 3-12. Those prices are only good until 23 June. After that, rates go up to $11 and $9.
Are these people trustworthy: Yes. I don't have kids, but everyone I've known to use KiddieCorp has been happy with them. Everyone I've known to try to get a toddler to wait in a Hall H line: not so happy.
If you're new to parenting at Comic-Con, it's good to think now about lines, plans and your child's aptitude for all of it. Things like being pushed around in a stroller in a crowded Exhibit Hall can be intimidating for small people, and the general stress and loudness of the experience can wear some kids out fast. (And some adults.) So it's not a bad idea to have contingency plans for if your kid hits a wall and needs a break.
Find out more here.
Register for Comic-Con child care by 28 June
25 JUNE 2013
If you're a parent, and you don't want to subject your bambino to the mind-numbing dullness of the panels you're sitting through to get a seat in the panel you do want - never fear. KiddieCorp will be on site again this summer to take your offspring off your hands.
What they provide: activities, games, story time and general baby-sitting. What you provide: meals, diapers, formula and a change of clothes if necessary.
Advance registration ends on 28 June. Get more KiddieCorp information here.
If you're a parent, and you don't want to subject your bambino to the mind-numbing dullness of the panels you're sitting through to get a seat in the panel you do want - never fear. KiddieCorp will be on site again this summer to take your offspring off your hands.
What they provide: activities, games, story time and general baby-sitting. What you provide: meals, diapers, formula and a change of clothes if necessary.
Advance registration ends on 28 June. Get more KiddieCorp information here.
Advance parking now on sale
24 APRIL 2012
Two minor announcements.
Parking - if you want to buy an advance parking pass, do it now. These passes are for Ace Parking Lots and there are no in-out privileges. You can do this here.
Childcare - if you intend to use Comic Con's childcare services, you can register for that too now. The deadline for advance registration is 12 June.
Two minor announcements.
Parking - if you want to buy an advance parking pass, do it now. These passes are for Ace Parking Lots and there are no in-out privileges. You can do this here.
Childcare - if you intend to use Comic Con's childcare services, you can register for that too now. The deadline for advance registration is 12 June.
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