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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:
ChickenStripper · 01/02/2022 12:02

@WeeFae 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Dishwashersaurous · 01/02/2022 12:03

I suspect that they didn't realise the rule when they booked it

Vloggamamma · 01/02/2022 12:03

No way - look at their website and check prices. I don't know where you are based bit I googled and found one such example www.perth.uhi.ac.uk/academy-of-sport-and-wellbeing/climbing-centre/prices-and-admission/ a day pass for adult here is £9 , and why should you be forced to eat , you may have eaten before party etc . I don't buy this at all. Very cheeky !

merrygoround51 · 01/02/2022 12:03

Well you have your excuse there - 7 months pregnant so it’s not really suitable for you in case you need to help out.

Don’t go but I would lie about the reason - say child vomited or something. friends chop and change all the time

FoamBurst · 01/02/2022 12:05

When one of my siblings had a similar party. My parents were told they needed 5 adults. Which my parents organised and paid for. The other dcs parents stayed but watched / child free time in cafe whilst we did the climbing with the dcs that needed an adult.

ANameChangeAgain · 01/02/2022 12:06

They've chosen something that isn't age appropriate then. When I had parties for my children I had x amount of adults attending with me to supervise who I paid for. It would have been unfair to expect parents to pay for the privilege and I factored it into my party budget.

Workinghardeveryday · 01/02/2022 12:07

Ring them! That doesn’t seem right at all and no way I would be going

Merryoldgoat · 01/02/2022 12:07

The charge is normal but I’d pay that if I were hosting a party.

2022HereWeCome · 01/02/2022 12:08

This makes no sense to me. Surely it is a supervised activity with instructors in charge from the climbing centre who take responsibility for the children? Unless the birthday child's parents have done the cheapskate option and haven't paid for a package and are just buying the tickets for the kids .... even then I would expect there to be a suitable ratio ie 3 children to 1 adult in operation rather than 1 child 1 parent

BigUpAllOfUshereOnMN · 01/02/2022 12:09

It's normally free for Spectating Adults surely? Whether it's a party or not. Unless a parent wants to take part too.

I hope friend has got wires mixed up. Is friend asking for the payment in advance or letting you know that is what you have to pay at the door when you say you are here for blah blah's party and want to stay?

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 01/02/2022 12:10

The parents will be trying it on. No venue is going to charge that much for supervision.

pinkpirlie · 01/02/2022 12:11

I've taken my nephew to the climbing wall loads of times. I've always had to stay to supervise and never once have I had to pay. It's always cost about £18 for him to do the session, and I just sit and watch them as do lots of other adults. I would be very surprised if this is accurate - would put the activity centre out of business as no one is going to pay £25 to watch someone else do an activity. Unless they bought an odd package where the parents have to do the activity too?
Definitely look at the website/call them up to see if this is accurate.
At my local place for an hour's instructor led climbing and a buffet it costs £20 per child.

Gonnagetgoing · 01/02/2022 12:11

If they need adults supervising then the party hosts pay for that, not make the parents supervising pay.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 01/02/2022 12:12

It's not a party then is it?
Party costs xyz per head, including supervision.or enough free adult places to cover.
Non party is everyone turns up with kid and pays the going rate.
I would not go.

CatSpeakForDummies · 01/02/2022 12:12

That's ridiculous, the mum needs to put this party idea on hold until next year when all the other children are 8 as well.

Do you know the mum well enough to msg her along the lines of "That's a bit cheeky of the venue, surely they'd know an 8th birthday would have some 7yo attending, but they've only told you today and expect an extra £175 for supervision? If you want to change the party and do this one when they are all 8, we'll totally understand and be happy to come to the rearranged party. Unfortunately I can't buy a ticket and supervise as I'm 7m pregnant."

I'm willing to bet that the £175 being paid by the other parents is similar, if not more, than she is paying for a party of 8 children. I would double check the amount with the venue and ask if being 7m pregnant would be a problem (probably is, in selling an adult ticket you would be able to climb, look at the T&C).

BettyOBarley · 01/02/2022 12:12

That seems very unusual, my DC have been to loads of climbing wall / trampoline parties and never had to pay as an adult to supervise. Maybe they've misunderstood what the venue has said?

Poor child though, if everyone cancels (although I wouldn't be paying that).

Dixiechickonhols · 01/02/2022 12:13

I’d call and check with venue that it is £25 then speak to child’s mum.
It sounds like a mess up not cheeky ie they have only just realised under 8 need 1 adult each. I’d personally explain you were happy to stay and supervise but not for £25 so don’t won’t be going. I’d imagine you won’t be only one.
Some parties like swimming and by the sounds of it climbing are best done older when supervision requirements aren’t as strict.

Gonnagetgoing · 01/02/2022 12:13

It reminds me slightly of school trips, where school asked for parents to volunteer (mine could never come as they were a teacher and fed up of herding cats!).

I think in these cases parent paid for their own fee but nowadays if a TA etc couldn't come or they needed extra parents to supervise children I'd expect and hope the school would pay, as it's a childcare cost really.

Clymene · 01/02/2022 12:14

I would say thanks but no thanks. I wouldn't pay to stand around watching my kid!

Cuppaand2biscuits · 01/02/2022 12:15

This happened to me once when dd was 4 years old and in the September of her reception year.
We accepted party invitation, bought the gift, dd was so excited her first school party.
Then they text to say that as they weren't paying for the party package I could either stay home and let 4 year old spend the day at a theme park with a family she'd never met before or pay the £20 to join them.
I paid the £20, I was the only parent that did and spent an awkward day with a family who didn't really want me there.

fruitbrewhaha · 01/02/2022 12:15

I call bullshit too. My two have been to multiple climbing type parties and I've never had to pay to stay. Either at indoor climbing walls where they have staff helping the children or at out door treetops places where I've stayed but not because I had to, and just wondered around the trees watching them.

Have you called the venue?

00100001 · 01/02/2022 12:15

@Merryoldgoat

The charge is normal but I’d pay that if I were hosting a party.
...is it?? Confused
Clymene · 01/02/2022 12:16

@Gonnagetgoing

It reminds me slightly of school trips, where school asked for parents to volunteer (mine could never come as they were a teacher and fed up of herding cats!).

I think in these cases parent paid for their own fee but nowadays if a TA etc couldn't come or they needed extra parents to supervise children I'd expect and hope the school would pay, as it's a childcare cost really.

I've volunteered many many times to supervise children on outings. Never been asked to pay for a ticket! Not sure where you've got that idea
DifficultBloodyWoman · 01/02/2022 12:16

@CatSpeakForDummies

That's ridiculous, the mum needs to put this party idea on hold until next year when all the other children are 8 as well.

Do you know the mum well enough to msg her along the lines of "That's a bit cheeky of the venue, surely they'd know an 8th birthday would have some 7yo attending, but they've only told you today and expect an extra £175 for supervision? If you want to change the party and do this one when they are all 8, we'll totally understand and be happy to come to the rearranged party. Unfortunately I can't buy a ticket and supervise as I'm 7m pregnant."

I'm willing to bet that the £175 being paid by the other parents is similar, if not more, than she is paying for a party of 8 children. I would double check the amount with the venue and ask if being 7m pregnant would be a problem (probably is, in selling an adult ticket you would be able to climb, look at the T&C).

This is very well phrased! I think you should say/send this.
Ellie56 · 01/02/2022 12:16

This is ridiculous. There's no way I'd pay £25 to supervise at a child's party.

What about parents who can't afford it?

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