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Original poster

Paying to go to a kid’s birthday party..?

104 replies

hannneshy · 14/05/2026 18:51

Some friends of ours havs recently booked a party for their six year old at a zoo. The invite says all accompanying adults need to pay their own entry into the zoo (£15 per adult)
(details slightly changed for anon purposes)
Is this a pisstake, or am I being unreasonable?
if this was me, I’d have absorbed that cost into the cost of the party booking - I would’ve covered it. Surely..?

OP posts:
DappledThings · 14/05/2026 20:00

hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:54

No, I mean they’re mostly reception age kids

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But what age is YOUR child? It doesn't matter what age most of the kids are if your child is old enough to stay.

And you still haven't said if you have been explicitly told to stay or just deciding to.

Bunnycat101 · 14/05/2026 19:58

I don’t know why people are finding this so hard. OP I agree that parents should have built in the costs of a plus one adult into the party. It’s not really an ideal reception party on that basis. It would be much better for older children who could be managed on a drop and go basis if they weren’t prepared to front up the costs of the adult.

Contrarymary30 · 14/05/2026 19:58

RampantIvy · 14/05/2026 19:00

I wouldn't want to be the only adult in charge of half a dozen 6 year olds at a zoo. One of them could so easily get lost.

it is unrealistic to expect a zoo trip to be drop and run unless there are only 2 or 3 children.

It's in a party room at the Zoo .

putitonthewrongway · 14/05/2026 19:57

I would just ask directly if it’s a drop off party and if not politely decline. I don’t think parents should be expected to pay for a party they don’t want to attend and if the hosts can’t afford it they should organise a cheaper party.

Original poster
hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:54

itsmeits · 14/05/2026 19:46

No reception are in 4 September when they start turning 5 in the school year. Year one are 5 in September and turning 6 in the school year.

It is not a summon if you don't like it decline and let them invite someone else.

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No, I mean they’re mostly reception age kids

OP posts:
Original poster
hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:53

arethereanyleftatall · 14/05/2026 19:52

Right. So you are choosing to stay. Yabu then.

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its a stay party, believe me

OP posts:
arethereanyleftatall · 14/05/2026 19:52

hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:38

These children are between four and six, mostly four.

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Right. So you are choosing to stay. Yabu then.

Nofeckingway · 14/05/2026 19:47

You couldn't pay me to stay never mind me paying for the privilege 😂

itsmeits · 14/05/2026 19:46

hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:36

Reception, ages are 4-6 year olds.

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No reception are in 4 September when they start turning 5 in the school year. Year one are 5 in September and turning 6 in the school year.

It is not a summon if you don't like it decline and let them invite someone else.

Moonnstarz · 14/05/2026 19:42

hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:41

The children are mostly four years old, we have to stay.

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Is that what the parents have said or what you are choosing? It's still not clear whether this is how you feel (which I agree at that age if many children are invited) or if the invite specifically says one parent per child must remain on site and pay £15 for entry.

APurpleSquirrel · 14/05/2026 19:42

YANBU OP - we did a birthday party at a zoo for DD a few years ago & we agreed to pay for one adult per family as well as the kids, but other parents & siblings could also attend at their own cost. I’d never dream of asking parents to pay to attend a party.

Original poster
hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:41

ParadiseIsNoBunker · 14/05/2026 19:40

BUT HAVE THE HOSTS SAID YOU HAVE TO STAY?

<exhales>

Edited

The children are mostly four years old, we have to stay.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 14/05/2026 19:40

hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:39

Most are 4

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And how many of these children are yours and what age are they? Your decision to stay or not doesnt need to take into account anyone else's children.

ParadiseIsNoBunker · 14/05/2026 19:40

BUT HAVE THE HOSTS SAID YOU HAVE TO STAY?

<exhales>

Original poster
hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:39

Neurodiversitydoctor · 14/05/2026 19:32

I would have dropped my 6 year old- 4yo not so much. It is a year 1 party ? So most will be 6 ?

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Most are 4

OP posts:
Original poster
hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:38

arethereanyleftatall · 14/05/2026 19:32

You’re still not being clear op.

Are they saying you HAVE to stay?

or are you choosing to?

These children are between four and six, mostly four.

OP posts:
DappledThings · 14/05/2026 19:38

hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:36

Reception, ages are 4-6 year olds.

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You have a Reception class that includes children of 3 different ages?

Your responses are really irritatingly vague.

Original poster
hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:36

Tillow4ever · 14/05/2026 19:33

Have they specifically asked parents to stay or are you assuming you have to because of the ages of the kids? Or you don’t want to drop and run?

Reception, ages are 4-6 year olds.

OP posts:
Tillow4ever · 14/05/2026 19:33

Have they specifically asked parents to stay or are you assuming you have to because of the ages of the kids? Or you don’t want to drop and run?

WhatAMarvelousTune · 14/05/2026 19:33

If I was required to stay and pay to do so, my child just wouldn’t be going.

Neurodiversitydoctor · 14/05/2026 19:32

hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:30

Between 4 and 6

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I would have dropped my 6 year old- 4yo not so much. It is a year 1 party ? So most will be 6 ?

arethereanyleftatall · 14/05/2026 19:32

You’re still not being clear op.

Are they saying you HAVE to stay?

or are you choosing to?

Moonnstarz · 14/05/2026 19:31

hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:30

Between 4 and 6

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So is it family friends rather than a school friend party?

Original poster
hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:30

Neurodiversitydoctor · 14/05/2026 19:28

Why ? How old are they ?

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Between 4 and 6

OP posts:
Original poster
hannneshy · 14/05/2026 19:28

Error404FucksNotFound · 14/05/2026 19:27

Maybe they cant afford it. Ideally they would pay or if they cant then they wouldn't have it at the zoo but since this is what they are offering all you can do is decide whether or not you pay so your child will go to the party.

They can afford it. I just wouldn’ have dreamt of asking parents to cover the cost of a party i was holding!

OP posts:
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