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Original poster

Drinks for parents at soft play party?

94 replies

BluetheBear · 02/04/2023 15:59

Child will be 2. Soft play party included food and drinks for the children but nothing for adults. They would need to buy their own coffees / cake. The party is not going to be at a mealtime.

Would you be happy paying for your own drink or do you think these should be paid for? The venue told me most people don't pay for drinks for the parents but to me this feels a bit tight. Then again I wouldn't want people ordering multiple coffees at £4 each but I don't think the venue could police this unless we arranged some kind of drinks token??

OP posts:

ThreeRingCircus · 02/04/2023 18:44

I've actually never attended a soft play party where I wasn't offered a tea or coffee by the parents hosting. It's a nice thing to do if you can.

threeplusmum · 02/04/2023 19:19

Recently had my 4 year old daughters bday party at a local pizza express and it was general consensus that each adult could order 1 drink or share a bottle of wine for all adults - minimal numbers and it made the adults feel included. Had good feedback after the party 🎈 everyone really enjoyed themselves.

Original poster

BluetheBear · 02/04/2023 20:25

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like a mix but slightly more saying it's not needed.

I think I would like to pay for one drink per adult but we can see close to the time how many people are coming and how the budget is looking before making a decision. It also makes a difference to me I suppose if it's good friends with their kids or a load of parents from nursery I don't know!

OP posts:

BettyOBarley · 02/04/2023 20:35

I've never been to a kids party where adult drinks are paid for (other than DIY ones in a village hall).

In terms of number of adults turning up, most parties I've been to have had at least 1 or 2 couples turn up together.

SwirlyShirly · 02/04/2023 20:46

Nope I've never expected it, the only time I've had a complementary refreshment was when we went to a soft play party bang in the middle of Mother's Day the other week and the venue gave free tea and coffee to the mums. Wouldn't expect it bought for me though.

GlasgowGal82 · 02/04/2023 21:18

I paid for tea, coffee and sandwiches for parents at DS1's third birthday and hardly anyone took them! We ended up taking trays of sandwiches home. I wouldn't bother again.

Badbudgeter · 02/04/2023 21:29

I don’t think you have to. Jugs of water/ cups. Normally there’s jugs of squash for little ones. I always preferred to give water. People will expect to buy their own drink if they want one.

SurreyMumOfOne · 02/04/2023 21:57

We hosted a similar party last summer and I was worried about piss takers. What we did in the end was wander around intermittently offering teas and coffees which we fetched from the bar ourselves. If people wanted anything else or additional drinks, they could go up and order and pay for their own. It felt like the right balance of offering hospitality without bankrupting ourselves.

It also meant we didn't have to pay for anything for all of the uninvited siblings who turned up.

Beseen22 · 02/04/2023 22:07

If its at soft play I'm more than happy to buy my own. When we had a party I offered all the parents/guardians a tea or coffee but only the ones I'm close to took me up on it. My kids school is quite mixed so I would hate for someone to feel they had to spend money to come to DC party.

My pet hate is a lunchtime party at a party specific location so no cafe and it's awkward whether the adults are allowed food from the buffet. If that's your party please make it clear. I usually sneak a sausage roll of the kids plates to keep me going until I get home!

Original poster

BluetheBear · 02/04/2023 22:40

This party won't be at lunch time, either morning or afternoon, so parents being hungry shouldn't be an issue.

OP posts:

kirinm · 03/04/2023 21:59

I've been to two soft play parties recently. One where the parents had bought booze and one where there was nothing. Both were fine.

msmatcha · 03/04/2023 22:22

I think it's really generous when I'm bought a coffee at a soft play party but wouldn't mind at all if I have to buy my own. It's expensive to throw a party, people understand that.

ShannonMcFarland · 03/04/2023 22:27

threeplusmum · 02/04/2023 19:19

Andy?

threeplusmum · 03/04/2023 22:54

@ShannonMcFarland

Whose Andy? Lol

Katkaper · 04/04/2023 02:44

We're in London and have had the same as a pp, fizz, beer or water for parents plus nibbles. Nobody drives here so drink driving not an issue. I'm hosting a 5yo bouncy castle party next month and will be paying for some drinks and nibbles for parents, including booze. Not hot drinks though as it's too much faff.

Phoebo · 04/04/2023 02:46

If you can afford it, the drink is nice I'd just organise a token so the first one is on you.

beachpearl · 04/04/2023 03:29

Never heard of adults being fed at a soft play party. It's 2 hours tops. But obviously in the wrong class of people that it's not standard to offer a drink 😂 if all kids are from a richer family than me, then yer why not offer a drink or food to parents. It's a lovely gesture x

MissMarplesbag · 04/04/2023 06:17

Adults buy their own but I've asked the venue to provide hot water, teabags and coffee before.

Original poster

BluetheBear · 15/05/2023 20:54

Adults buy their own but I've asked the venue to provide hot water, teabags and coffee before.

I don't think they would do do this. They have a cafe so they sell hot drinks.

OP posts:

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