Do I pay for all their coffees and drinks?

I've been to lots of parties like this and we always just buy our own. If I'm honest I'd rather buy my own so I can have what I like without worrying it'll be too expensive or it looking like I'm taking the piss

I have been to many of these types of parties and hosted too. I would never expect my drinks to be paid for. As long as the kids are catered for, adults should buy their own. The only exception is when I've hosted a party in a village hall and done all the food. We usually buy tea/coffee and cold drinks and offer to the adults.

All the parties i go to tea coffee and often alcohol is laid on and food

3 hour party is hell

2 hours max

Def no need to pay for parents’ drinks - I’ve been to dozens of parties like this and have never once been bought a drink by the host, nor would I expect to!

So DC was 20 this week, so a while ago! If I stayed, I would not expect you to pay for any refreshment. You are hosting the children, not parents!

That's what used to happen when the kids were that age. The hosts bought one drink for people as they arrived.

This, it’s quite normal in our circle and I’ve seen many open tabs but also some places give you tokens you can hand to parents and you just pay for those used. Also seen big jugs of tea and coffee for parents which is also fine. You don’t have to provide drinks but for a mid morning party it would be nice.

I have four children, I’ve been to literally hundreds of kids parties. Not once has any party host ever paid for hot drinks for parents in a soft play type place. Village hall type parties yes there will be tea and coffee. Occasionally cans of pop. Definitely no hot drinks in expensive venues

Been to tons. You definitely don’t need to buy the parents anything.

It’s normal for parents to pay for their own coffees in this situation

I've been to both types and I'm fine to buy my own. It's less than a fiver but a lot of fivers added together is a big bill for the host so I always feel guilty accepting and think that while it's kind, it's really really not necessary.

The party is for the kids - you've had a huge expense in booking, organising, etc, it's an expensive month and tbh, all those fivers added together, I'd rather you just get your kid an extra present or have fun with the cake or party bags. The money is better spent on your kid/the kids than a coffee for me.

Parties round here, the party parents open a tab and sometimes buy some snacks for the other parents too, however everyone is really reasonable, not everyone uses it and those that do have one coffee or tea, no-one goes mad like at a free bar with alcohol, so tab is relatively small

I’ve been to several of this type of party and parents have always bought their own drinks.

Not quite the same thing but we did a tab at the pub for FIL's wake and we paid for food, soft drinks and a tea/coffee set up. We were very shocked how little people ordered and how low the drinks tab was, considering it was a free bar. I think with all the food you're laying out, I wouldn't imagine the adults will go mad if you did do a tab.

Usually pay for everyone’s first one - well I always ask not all say yes - those that do we buy. Then that’s it - everyone sorts themselves out after. I usually find not everyone stays. And yes it does add up!

Defo no need to buy parents coffees at the soft play venue, far too pricey and not expected at all. They sort themselves out. The only parties you get a free hot drink as an adult are the village hall parties where the host brings tea bags and milk and various relatives to help make the drinks.

This is also my experience, and when we have hosted kids parties we have had an open tab for tea and coffee for the parents where that has been an option. But equally I would have no issue at all with buying my own tea / coffee. I think it depends on the venue - exclusive hire of a small soft play = feels more natural to have a fab; large soft play with a separate cafe and a ton of different people milling around = no tab.

I had an open tab at a similar type of party for my son.

People really didn’t have much. Most were chasing their kids around and too busy to drink.

this is the way

The parents buy their own coffee and stuff from the bar

The host parent always does a coffee order round or tab here. I guess we know the tab is only used for a coffee per parent so doesn’t feel risky, if you think the parents would be more cheeky than that, go around and take orders and give them to the cafe?

I’ve never had someone pay for my coffee. I’ve always paid for my own. The only time any refreshments were ever provided for parents was if it was at someone’s house.
Three hours is quite long. How old are the kids?

I buy my own coffee and sausage butty at the soft play where I’m at a party most weeks never occurred anyone would pay for me?

Surely you provide for the children only. Adults get their own.