to not feed parents at party?

[FusionChefGeoff]

Soft play for DS (4) so his first 'proper' party. Package for kids but not allowed to bring in food apart from cake. I feel a bit bad that parents will be there over lunchtime but I'm not providing any food / drinks. If I did, I guess I'd need to allow £8 pp which is an extra £100!!!!

Any way round this or is it ok not to feed the parents???

[Salene]

It's normal , I've never been to a kids party where parents do get fed.

[AddToBasket]

It's fine. The DC won't finish their food and the parents will just hoover up the leftovers and feed themselves elsewhere.

[Friolero]

It's not the norm to feed parents. A drink is often provided but not food.

[MsVestibule]

Definitely OK. I would normally buy myself a coffee and a snack if I was hungry.

[wizzywig]

I must be odd as i put on a full meal for the parents. It ensures that they stay rather than dump their kids and run. Plus i actually get to talk to the parents

[ExitPursuedByBear]

Soft play normally has a cafe where you buy your own. And then hoover up the leftover egg butties.

[Oly5]

I feed parents too, but mostly cos I like it to be a party for everyone

[Lilacpink40]

Let the adults finish the kids leftovers or buy their own. £100 extra is ridiculous.

[Lilacpink40]

...how about taking a few boxes of mixed biscuits along and putting on the side by the cake for adults to snack on?

[Fieryfighter]

I've never been to a kids party where adults are fed although it's common for the host to tell adults to help themselves once the kids have had a plateful if it's a buffet.

What I do know is that I now really really want a sausage roll and

[PrettyDumb]

Op, MN is not the place to ask about stuff like this. You'll have a parade of posters along soon telling you that if 'you can't afford it, don't do it'. Bollocks of course, but that's how it is here.

[Fourarmsv2]

I'd just get a big cake and offer it to the parents when cut.

[NarkyKnockers]

If you really want to get a few pizzas to put out for any parents who want a slice. Should cost about £15.

[PPie10]

I think it would be a bit rude tbh to not cater at least something. A few platters of sandwiches and cold snacks?

[HirplesWithHaggis]

OP states she's not allowed to bring in food, other than the cake. Having pizzas delivered would be a bit bloody cheeky.

[MrsJorahMormont]

Soft play parties I've been to usually just have coffee and biscuits or buns for parents.

[KC225]

I've never fed parents, only put out a couple of bowls of crisps/nuts and a drink. As other posters have said, if they want anything they finish off kids food. Never had a party when kids have finished the food. You can also offer a slice of cake too.

[NarkyKnockers]

I meant from the cafe there Hirples That's what I've done when I've fed parents which hasn't been every time

[manicinsomniac]

Does the centre sell food? If so, YANBU. If there's nothing there then, I don't know, I suppose maybe a bit. But they can always eat leftovers and cake. And it's only a couple of hours anyway, they won't starve.

[TheWindInThePillows]

I wouldn't feed parents at a soft play party and I've done loads. The venue may not be happy with anything other than a cake. If I've stayed, I've sat in the cafe and eaten.

It's really not expected at a soft play party although offering a nice slice of cake (either get a big one or get two, a chocolate one for parents) always goes down well.

[OhGodWhatTheHellNow]

I've been to dozens of kids parties in all sorts of setttings - I'm usually grateful if there's a cup of coffee (not even a vending machine at the last one ) but there's no expectation that you feed the parents.
It is nice when you offer something though, I fondly remember the dad who brought sharing bowls of chips over to the staying parents at a soft play party, and we got birthday cake but that is rare.

[RandomName9]

I've done lots of kids parties (and we also run a party hire business). Generally we don't cater for the adults, maybe a drink if included but when there's soft play there's usually a cafe..parents can buy themselves. Offer some cake though

[grannytomine]

I keep visualising your mum and dad looking at party food and not being allowed to eat. Sorry, no you don't need to feed parents.

[AlpacaPicnic]

Take an extra cake, or maybe a box or two of assorted muffins?

[SpringerS]

Party in your house, you provide food for the adults too. Party in a pay per head venue, adults might get a slice of cake if the cake is big enough, which it might not be.