Do I pay for all their coffees and drinks?

I've been to, and had multiple soft play parties. The host has never been expected to, nor has paid for stuff for the parents.

Provide jugs of squash only. Nobody will expect anything more. Please don't worry about it. I've hosted loads of these things myself.

No, I always buy my own coffee at these things

You don’t need to buy coffees for adults but I would maybe buy some big bottles of water and put glasses out for them, in addition to the kids stuff.

Never have i ever considered the parents would pay for me to have a coffee.

If you can afford it, an open tab is more hospitable. That's what I've always done and what I have experienced. However, if you can't afford it, just forget about it and let them buy their own drinks. You can just focus on the kids.

Parents should by their own drinks and snacks.

I work at a place that hosts parties - parents always buy their own coffee. Party is paid at the end along with any drinks/snacks for the party family.

When my daughter had a soft play party like this I let the parents know I was happy to pay for their first drink. Some took me up on it and some refused and got their own.

Normally it’s a few jugs of water / squash at table . The kids will get hot playing and need a drink outside of party room time. Parents buy their own coffees. I don’t think anyone minds, we know you’ve already spent £££s

I have always bought my own drinks or food, I've never expected it to be provided for me

if you are already paying for food for the kids i don't think you need to feel you have to pay at the cafe
no doubt those parents will have been there before and just buy the odd coffee etc.
vry important you do not buy for one as soon as you do you are trapped.
you have fulfilled your obligation by the party you are providing - it sounds v good

Got round this awks feeling by ordering a platter of sandwiches for the parents. I felt better and didn't feel bad about not keeping them in expensive hot drinks etc. It was a more controllable expense. I think the play centre had an option for a big tray of help yourself sandwiches for the grown ups. There was a bit of ooh wow thanks. So I felt beyond reproach. They can get their own drinks! I think you could add fries as well. It was a while ago, I am old!!

Let people buy their own teas and coffees. You don't need to provide for adults, you're providing for their children! I've never been to a party and been catered for myself. If I go to a soft play type place I buy my own. Have fun!

I would expect to buy my own , however If you offer the first coffee on arrival and go up and buy them I think that’s more than enough

Usually there is 1 coffee/tea included with entry with 1 child at a play centre so I’d supply a voucher for 1 - they don’t need 2 parents with them and if they choose to both come then they can pay for their 2nd coffee!

24yrs of going to kids birthday parties and it has always been pay for your own

I think its a kind thought but not expected .Most Mums and Dads expect to buy their own ,It will add up hugely otherwise .Also many parents may not stay for 3 hours anyway!

I have 4 children, so you can imagine the amount of soft play parties I’ve attended over the years, not once has the host ever bought or provided drinks to parents and it wouldn’t be expected either! Not even the first one as others have suggested. The parents usually go and pay for their own, or bring a cold drink with them.

I really wouldn’t be stressing over this. They can buy their own. They’re probably expecting to anyway

Been to many of these parties over the years never have I been to one where parents were provided hot drinks. We’ve always bought our own and wouldn’t expect to have them bought. It’s a children’s party for the children - it’s a very kind thought but save your money and sleep easy it’s honestly not required

Always buy parents the first drink, then they can buy whatever they wish.

You really don’t have to pay, most parties the adults get their own (different if it’s a church hall type situation with drinks from the supermarket). I have been to a few where each adult got a voucher for a drink (including a small independent cinema hire where the voucher covered wine!) but it’s not been the norm.

its commune either for the host to offer to buy parents a coffee or the parents buy their own. I wouldn’t think about it either way. However, if you are expecting the parents to stay and supervise their kids you need to make that clear in the invitation OP, otherwise depending on the age of the children, the parents may just drop the kids off.

When we hosted our kids' parties, we would always do a coffee run for parents and pay for their first drink. In the early years we went overboard at venues and ordered platters of sandwiches/buffet food for parents, but found there was no need as parents really just wanted tea/coffee and a chat.

I’ve been to both when party parents have open tab and one where it was pay for your own drinks. The pay for your own drinks felt more normal and the open tab one felt like a luxury I didn’t wanna take the piss with. I had one drink and that was it. I felt more comfortable at the pay for you own one. Parents can drink the free squash if they really want to but I think as a norm most people won’t expect you to pay for adult drinks for them