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Original poster

Paying to attend child's party?

550 replies

arachnidpearl · 01/02/2022 11:15

Would welcome views on this.

My DS has been invited to a child's party on Sunday. It's at an activity place with a climbing wall then food afterwards. Accepted invitation weeks ago, have bought card and gift etc.

We've been sent a message yesterday from birthday child's parent last night which says that all children under 8 must be supervised by an adult each, which is ok with me I don't mind staying (would rather not, but it's not the end of the world) but that in order to stay and supervise we have to buy a full price adults ticket, which costs £25!

Is this usual? It seems a bit of a cheek to me!

OP posts:
goldfluffyclouds · 01/02/2022 11:17

that is ridiculous - i would call the place myself and check. if true i would withdraw and do something else instead

icelollycraving · 01/02/2022 11:17

Oh no! Suspect it’ll be a very small party then. I guess swimming parties this happens which is minimal. £25? Not a chance I’d go to that.

SartresSoul · 01/02/2022 11:18

Ridiculous, I’d call the venue and ask if this is true first as PP said. If it is, I’d tell them you can’t attend. There’s no way I’d pay £25 to supervise my child at someone else’s birthday party.

icelollycraving · 01/02/2022 11:19

What age are all the children going? I can see it being an oversight if they are all older with one smaller one invited. If they was the case, I’d absorb the cost as the host.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 01/02/2022 11:19

Crazy, are you absolutely sure this applies to adults supervising at parties?

Finfintytint · 01/02/2022 11:19

I bet the host has only just realised this. I wouldn’t go as it seems a bit much. ( or you could eat £25 worth of food Grin

WeeFae · 01/02/2022 11:19

No, I would not be going! A bit late to be adding that on, it should have been clearly stated on the invitation.

Original poster
arachnidpearl · 01/02/2022 11:20

It is only a small party anyway, maybe 8 children? And they're all under 8 except for the birthday child, so all parents will have to stay and pay.

I suspect most parents were planning on staying regardless as they're quite young but I don't think anyone would have expected to fork out £25 for the privilege!

OP posts:
mbosco · 01/02/2022 11:20

I'd be pretty shocked by that! I wonder if they've only just realised/ venue communicated poorly?

Whenever we've been to birthday parties at soft play / leisure centres / activities etc., the cost of supervising and running the activity is covered by the parents, it's part of the party cost imo.

A more appropriate way to communicate what your DC's friend's party is about would be "For his birthday, we're taking little Smiddy climbing. We'd love it if you wanted to join, which would cost £X. We'll bring the cake!"

SleepingStandingUp · 01/02/2022 11:20

I wonder if they've tried to be cheap and not book a party but just a load of kids places, then something's been confirmed and they realise they've messed up hence the sudden text

StylishMummy · 01/02/2022 11:23

Speak to other parents that have been invited and see what they say? Sounds like the parents are bloody cheap skates

Quornflakegirl · 01/02/2022 11:24

We had a super cheeky invite late last year to a trampoline park asking for £8 for the child’s ticket! Needless to say dc didn’t go!

Hugasauras · 01/02/2022 11:24

Very rude! Buying yourself a coffee is one thing but £25?!?!?!

FlickyCrumble · 01/02/2022 11:26

If it’s a swim party all under 8s need 121 supervision by an over 16 that is in the water with them. Can you just pay an adult swim ticket?

icelollycraving · 01/02/2022 11:27

I feel sorry for their kid, no one will go (understandably).

Teaforme123 · 01/02/2022 11:28

Very cheeky, and actually should have been stated in the beginning on the invite. I wouldn't go, do something else you both will enjoy

Viviennemary · 01/02/2022 11:29

Its cheeky. Say you wont be going after all. £25 Shock

BigUpAllOfUshereOnMN · 01/02/2022 11:29

I would check if terms & conditions on website confirm this?
In my experience parent just walks in with the invited primary school aged DCs

WeeFae · 01/02/2022 11:30

@FlickyCrumble

If it’s a swim party all under 8s need 121 supervision by an over 16 that is in the water with them. Can you just pay an adult swim ticket?
Then they would be at a different party to the one in the OP Grin
AnotherMansCause · 01/02/2022 11:32

Should have been stated on the invite. I feel sorry for the birthday child & the rest too as probably most of them will now have to decline.

NYnewstart · 01/02/2022 11:32

I’d feel sorry for the birthday child but I’d certainly think twice about paying that amount!

Mamamia7962 · 01/02/2022 11:32

Have never heard of this, where is the party? Is it at a theme park?

Ozanj · 01/02/2022 11:34

£25 seems like a lot. Double check with the place. We have a similar place locally and the charge is only for kids because they want adults to stay and supervise.

Original poster
arachnidpearl · 01/02/2022 11:36

@Mamamia7962

Have never heard of this, where is the party? Is it at a theme park?
No, it's a locally run climbing wall/activity place. North of England.
OP posts:
IncompleteSenten · 01/02/2022 11:36

Phone the venue and ask why you need to pay £25 to supervise your child at a party there.