Page 9 | Do I pay for all their coffees and drinks?

LondonLass2026 · 16/07/2026 21:55

Surely they buy their own. Attended tons of these when my son was young. Never once seen this or had my coffee paid for!

Summerishere123 · 16/07/2026 21:54

I used to own a play centre and the majority of parents paid for their own drinks. It was actually a pain for us when people wanted to open a tab and stopped allowing it after a while.

SailingYachty · 16/07/2026 21:51

I’ve never been to a soft play party where the host has offered to buy hot drinks. It’s always been up to parents to buy if they want them.

Threesmycrowd · 16/07/2026 21:50

There's only 10 kids...why dont you just do a round 5 mins after everyone has arrived and buy parents the drink of their choice. Then youve made the effort but afterwards they can buy their own if they want more so there's no tab to go crazy.

OwlCalledSage · 16/07/2026 21:50

Why are the parents staying for three (sodding) hours? Can’t they drop and bugger off?

Shelleyblueeyes · 16/07/2026 21:50

Argentinasnargentina · 16/07/2026 21:34

So ask them?

The lady said that I can pre order cold drinks for them or they pay for themselves or I could pay their bill at the end and that most parents are sensible and just get a cold drink or coffee-you never know though and if potentially some had both parents come, that could really add up!

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Pre order jugs of cold drinks for the table.

Let anyone who wants a coffee order and pay for themselves.

That won't come as a shock to tour guests honestly. It's fine. X

PragmaticIsh · 16/07/2026 21:48

Three hours is crazy long.

Take bottles of water for the children they will be asking for water way before the food time. Write their names in marker pen on the bottles.

Parents buy their own tea/coffee, that's fairly standard.

superspideysense · 16/07/2026 21:48

I’ve also brought my own. Wouldn’t expect them to pay for my drink if my kids are getting fed and entertained!

the difference will be money. Those with more may be more likely to buy them for parents. Those with less or on a budget will be less likely.

don’t stretch yourself. And don’t do a tab! Just in case

TalkToTheHand123 · 16/07/2026 21:47

I bring a bottle of vodka in my handbag. 3 hours of torture made a bit easier.

DancingNotDrowning · 16/07/2026 21:46

IME usually there’s a tab or the first round is ordered together and purchased by hosts.

if you’re worried about people over ordering you could give everyone a ticket for “one coffee” when they arrive.

Notsurenotsurenotsure · 16/07/2026 21:46

Three hours?! You need to pay for their future counselling, never mind coffee.

ItWasnaMeGuv · 16/07/2026 21:44

Argentinasnargentina · 16/07/2026 21:23

Dd’s birthday party this weekend. It’s at a soft play/activity type place. It’s three hours long and will include lunch provided by the establishment-pizzas, cheeseburgers, sweets, fruit platter, water and juices, cupcakes etc.
There are ten children coming with parents, the place has a cafe/coffee bar selling drinks & snacks.
As we’re hosting, what do I do? I feel
a bit uncomfortable with parents coming and having to buy their own coffee and cold drinks but the other option to have it open and we pay the bill at the end scares me a bit!
The party with all food included and an entertainer coming has cost a lot and the lunch will be plentiful

Not sure what to do?

It is easy. Parents will pay for themselves.

MatchaTea1 · 16/07/2026 21:42

If you can afford it, it would be a nice gesture. I've been to parties where the parents' drinks have been paid for, and some where they haven't and as long as the kids have a good time, the parents would be happy either way I'm sure :)

Isitholidayyet · 16/07/2026 21:42

I am more concerned about your lack of drinks for the children. I would expect drinks available for kids at all times, not just with the meal. I wouldn’t expect you to provide drinks for the parents though

Anonyhouse · 16/07/2026 21:41

I’ve only been offered a drink once at a soft play party. I thought the parents were very generous and it certainly wasn’t expected or the norm. Don’t worry about it.

TappyGilmore · 16/07/2026 21:41

WeeBean87 · 16/07/2026 21:33

When I've been at these kinds of parties the host usually asks parents if they want tea/coffee/soft drink once everyone has arrived and go up and order it and then after that people just sort themselves if they want any more. I definitely wouldn't have an open tab.

This is what we’ve done too.

And we would only ask parents, not any siblings who happen to be tagging along.

HoobleDooble · 16/07/2026 21:40

I've always bought my own food/snacks at this kind of thing and, other than with the party meal provided I usually get my child drinks too.

WeeBean87 · 16/07/2026 21:39

Argentinasnargentina · 16/07/2026 21:35

So you pay for everyone’s first one?

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Yep, just their first one. We're in NI and seems common practice at soft play type parties.

ShetlandishMum · 16/07/2026 21:39

I would expect to pay my own coffee, yes.

purplepuffle · 16/07/2026 21:38

I took have always bought my own if I wanted it. I definitely would never expect the host to buy one for me.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 16/07/2026 21:38

I think offering a round of coffees once, when everyone has arrived is plenty.

Then water and possibly squash on the table.

An open tab is asking for trouble! Most people might be sensible but it only takes a couple of CFs to decide they need multiple coffees each for two parents, and then a couple of hot chocolates for the uninvited sibling they brought along (and will encourage to sit down for food with the party) and it could really add up.

Edit - but it’s also fine to leave people to buy their own hot drinks rather than offering that initial “round”

Ohmygawdflippingheck · 16/07/2026 21:38

We have a soft play near us and I've been to a few parties there, I've always had to buy my own drinks etc. The kids get food and drinks for free, the adults sort themselves out.

MexicanDaisy · 16/07/2026 21:37

WeeBean87 · 16/07/2026 21:33

When I've been at these kinds of parties the host usually asks parents if they want tea/coffee/soft drink once everyone has arrived and go up and order it and then after that people just sort themselves if they want any more. I definitely wouldn't have an open tab.

This

Original poster

Argentinasnargentina · 16/07/2026 21:37

Shmee1988 · 16/07/2026 21:34

Just bulk buy some cans of coke/lemonade and put them out for the parents. If theu want hot drinks then they buy them. Simple. You have provided

Not sure they’ll let me bring my own?

OP posts:

MyArtfulGreySloth · 16/07/2026 21:36

I have always bought my own coffee at these kind of parties. You’ve already paid for my child, you don’t need to feed me too.