The cheapskate’s guide to the Schueberfouer

It's too late in the game to suggest starting early, like in January, setting a jar in the kitchen for people to deposit spare change. It’s actually about a decade late for that - no one has change anymore. There’s also no time left to ask the kids to save up their allowance.

Just giving each child a lump sum to spend will make it their responsibility to manage and will be a lot cheaper in the long run. This could be gratis, a benevolent gesture which kids could be reminded of from time to time when useful, or it could be something they are expected to ‘work’ for.

The start of the school year is a great time to assign tasks like ‘try on all your shoes, shirts and trousers and put the ones that no longer fit in a box’’, or ‘find last year’s school supplies and toss out the glue and markers that dried out because you forgot to put the caps on’, or even ‘fumigate your gym bag’. Those things ought to be worth a ride or two.

So much for saving and earning their fare – let’s move on to the Big Day itself. There are traditional discount days, so by all means, plan to go then, but while you can count on crowds at those times, you can’t always count on the sun. If you have to go rain or shine on Family Day – this year on the 26 August and 2 September2026 - or Half-Price day – last day 9 September 2026 until 8PM - , teach the kids they aren’t made of sugar and tell them the rides go even faster when the rails are wet.

You might offer teens the chance to go on their own before the Family Day, slipping a 20 in their hands, which will guarantee they’ll be home very soon.

Another tip is to tell the kids to get a lay of the land before lining up for the first ride they see or queuing up for the first churros stand they pass. This taster-tour will eat up some time and tire them out a bit, as well as help them to learn to make informed decisions.

A big part of the fun, after all, is just being there – taking in the scents, sounds and sights, all of which are free. It’s only the tastes and the thrills you have to pay for. If your kids can delight in just savouring the smell of waffles and grillwurst, watching all the rides whirling and zipping and soaring and the people pressing by, and listening to shrieks and laughter, that’s an invaluable life skill that will serve them well all their lives. But make no mistake, you’re going to have to shell out for frites or a hot dog, and at least one ride – and don’t do it begrudgingly. Enjoy it all with a big smile they’ll fondly remember, and wave at them excitedly as they pass you on the kiddie rides.

Parents, you can do this. You can have a great day out with the kids and not have to take out a bank loan. Set some rules before you go, share their excitement about going, and don’t allow a little inevitable pouting to get you down. You’re in charge, and your mood will set the tone.

One more idea – think about taking the kids to the fair in the early days, and invite them to draw inspiration to recreate it at home with a DYI Schueberfouer. They can happily spend a few of summer’s last days coming up with ring-toss and other games, practicing their juggling skills and magic tricks, and making popcorn and popsicles. They can even find ‘fairground’ sounds on their favourite music streaming platform.

If they do all that, you’ve really found a bargain – you’ve turned the Schueberfouer into a buy-one, get one free deal! Who knows, if they really go all out and put on a great DYI, they can charge your neighbours admission and set up that jar in the kitchen to start saving for next year’s event!