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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:
LagunaBubbles · 01/02/2022 13:05

You need to phone and come back and let us know what the venue said.

HaveringWavering · 01/02/2022 13:08

Who are they asking you to pay this to? To the parents by bank transfer or to the venue on arrival? See what I am getting at…?

Spotsandstars · 01/02/2022 13:09

This is so weird, have you rang the venue yet op? I don’t know why but I’m so invested in the outcome on this one as something just doesn’t feel right!

Calennig · 01/02/2022 13:09

I would check with the venue.

We did turn up to a party - expectation at least some parents would stay - and got charged for entry - another parent mentioned it to party parents who were very taken aback - went to speak to manager - and it was a mistake got refund to parents. It was no where near £25.

It's possible they spoke to the wrong person at then venue and now feel stuck with £25.

It's not really not though to expect parents to pay to attend.

Needaholidaysobadly · 01/02/2022 13:10

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

underneaththeash · 01/02/2022 13:11

I suspect the terms and conditions for the activity they're doing is that under 8's are supervised by an adult who is also taking part. I can imagine if they're doing archery, climbing and laser combat for example, it would easily add up.

Obviously you can't do that OP anyway.

I don't think the organiser has actually thought it through.

DahliaMacNamara · 01/02/2022 13:11

Is anyone else itching to call the venue themselves?

Original poster
arachnidpearl · 01/02/2022 13:11

Party mum isn't asking for money directly, she said we have to pay the venue then we arrive. She specifically said she'd booked a party package that covers children climbing and food/drink after but then stipulated children under 8 need an adult to stay and supervise which means adults need to buy a ticket.

I will ring the venue, have had a look at the website but for party packages it just says to contact them for details. The adult ticket is indeed £25 though. There doesn't seem to be a 'supervising' or spectating type ticket available just an adult one.

OP posts:
Original poster
arachnidpearl · 01/02/2022 13:12

@Needaholidaysobadly

Is this another made up post designed to wind people up and thus ensure more traffic to this site? You wouldn’t have to pay £25 to supervise, you are allowed to go in and supervise your child for free, I have done it. The £25 would only apply if you are climbing yourself.
No! Ask MN to check me out if you want. I've name changed but I've been here for years, am a regular poster.
OP posts:
mcdog · 01/02/2022 13:12

Well, this a novel situation!! I'm dying to know the outcome, have you called the venue yet???

BlingLoving · 01/02/2022 13:13

Surely part of of the cost for the hosting family is to pay for adult supervision in the form of the people provided by the venue to manage/oversee/supervise the kids? Allowing the parents to slope off to the coffee shop and watch their little darlings through glass windows leg it to Sainsbury's to get the shop in without a whining child accompanying them

Doveyouknow · 01/02/2022 13:13

Our local climbing venue doesn't charge adults who are supervising kids. However they do need to have completed the induction course before they are allowed to supervise which you do need to pay for. £25 also seems incredibly expensive. We pay £35 for a family ticket (all climbing) and that includes equipment hire.

RowanAlong · 01/02/2022 13:13

It was up to the host to tell you this in the original invitation. Then everyone could have decided whether to go or not (and host would have presumably accepted that it’s a bit steep for most people so it would be a small party!)

Fluffycloudland77 · 01/02/2022 13:14

@BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation

The party parents are getting ppl to pay for the party. They're scammers. Don't fall for it.
I think this too. I bet they had a free wedding too, venue miles from home and rooms bought through the brides family etc etc.
drspouse · 01/02/2022 13:15

As they won't let you supervise/climb at 7 months pregnant anyway, they are going to have to think up an alternative solution (even if it is to let your DC down).

smittenkittennn · 01/02/2022 13:16

Our climbing wall place charges just under £11 for a climbing session (non-party). Adult that isn't climbing is free. And these are London prices. Doesn't add up...

Raindancer411 · 01/02/2022 13:16

If you are pregnant they may not allow you to supervise then, which means your child will not be able to attend. Think it's cheeky to leave it so late to tell you though

Eddielzzard · 01/02/2022 13:17

Nope I have held 3 climbing parties for my kids at different walls. If parents were staying they didn't pay, in fact the climbing walls did well because the parents sat at the cafe and had drinks (which I bought). I was paying for the kids to be supervised at the wall as part of the party package! my kids were similar ages to yours.

Calennig · 01/02/2022 13:17

Party mum isn't asking for money directly, she said we have to pay the venue then we arrive.

I wonder if this has just been dropped on her - I can't image they'll get many parties at the venue if this is their policy.

RockinHorseShit · 01/02/2022 13:17

The party parents are getting ppl to pay for the party. They're scammers. Don't fall for it.

Agree, they are first class CFs

Givemeallthegin8 · 01/02/2022 13:22

Have you rang the venue yet ? I have never heard of a policy like this before

Chickychickydodah · 01/02/2022 13:25

I’ve never heard I’d places being that expensive , should be a £5 for a parent at the most 😩

HumousWhereTheHeartIs · 01/02/2022 13:25

I'd call the venue to check if someone seven months pregnant could supervise, and whilst on the phone check the costs.
We had a soft play near us that charged more for adults than children. Party packages included a set number of adults and anyone else had to pay £9. Given that my daughter was three when she went to a party there, I had to pay. Needless to say, it went bust shortly afterwards.

Vloggamamma · 01/02/2022 13:27

@Ellie56

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?

Totally agree. SIL child was at a party where parents said max £5 per gift so parents weren’t under financial pressure. If all the parties incurred this price , nobody would be going to parties. What a bloody cheek , and at the last minute too knowing that people will have bought presents and cards !
nitsandwormsdodger · 01/02/2022 13:29

I would first check it wasn’t a a rushed typo