AIBU to not provide food at a birthday party?!

[WobbleYourHead]

DS is going to be 9 next birthday. He wants a skate party at our local roller rink. The party will be 6:15pm until 7:45pm on a Sunday night (they're fixed times for parties and this is the slot available on the date we want).
We have a limited budget and without food he could invite his whole class, friends from cubs, football etc. If we cater the party then it'd drastically limit numbers.
We plan to provide drinks for the kids and there's a cafe on site that will be open if parents want to stay.
WIBU to allow him to invite all the friends he wants and skip the catering?!

We are going to a party next week that clearly states on the invite "I am afraid we will not be providing food". It certainly isn't a problem for us! If we weren't told in advance then I might be pissed off but with warning it isn't a problem at all! Go for it x

It's totally fine. Surely a bunch of 9 year olds can manage to go 90 mins without food and as long as you make it clear then parents can plan ahead.

If I knew there wasn't going to be any food I'd be okay with this. It needs to be spelt out really clearly in the invitations.

If turned up to a kids party and there wasn't food I'd be fuming.

Alternatively could you do a split picnic/ skating party? Picnic in the nearest open area followed by skating. It would allow you to cater for a much more reasonable price.

I don't think you are being unreasonable. I have a 9 year old and would love to send him to this kind of party. Sounds something a but different. My kids go to so many parties at which they usually eat loads of rubbish so I would actually like to feed him at home and send him to the party with a snack in his pocket in case he gets hungry. Reasonable parents will totally understand your position, and I am sure many of the them would relish something aside from cheap party food that doesn't fill them up!

My child attended an activity party and the parents handed out party boxes at the end, which the parent bought on ebay and filled with some snacks, juice and crisps. No one complained.

If turned up to a kids party and there wasn't food I'd be fuming.

Fuming that you had to feed your own child. Why?

YABU ,it's rude .

Fuming

I think if you say on the invitation that there won't be food, then kids would eat before they come. It wouldn't be a big deal for me. Just give a bag of sweets to take home. I'm sure they'll have great fun!

I would invite less kids but buy them all a burger and/or fries each to go with drink and give party bags with cake and sweets in.

I was also going to suggest making up boxes with a sandwich, packet of crisps, carton of juice and a wrapped cake/biscuit/piece of fruit for them to take away with them. They will be hungry after skating. You could add a small gift so the boxes double as party bags. Really wouldn't cost much

None of my kids have ever been to a party that started at 6pm or later that provided food around here it's seen as just whatever type of party it is and to feed the children before. Only earlier on parties have food. Infact have been to four parties this month two between 11-4pm times had food two 6:15-7:30 types no food apart from party bag with cake, sweets and general party bag items.

I think it's not really a party if you don't cater food to be honest. Kids are just as entitled as adults to feel a sense of occasion and have a treat. I'd be inclined to invite fewer guests (whole class is not needed at that age surely?) and put on some party food.

Yabu.

sounds fab!loads of people all their makes it all better in that type of party.so the kids wont even think of the food.
the one thing:tell the parents they kids will need tea beforehand. this will be the only place I see it coming up short if they arrive expecting a meal.so once you tell them itl be fab.
I might suggest trying to nip to cosco.supermakret and just grabbing a couple of bags of cheap crips to have in bowls.
a few cadburys fingers and party rings on a table. that really wont cost anything and the kids will want stuff with all the spent energy.
and a cake.
because I do think if they are racing around they will want to snack.

Just say 'You're invited... there is a cafe on site if you want to buy dinner there'.

Fuming?? Children are rarely that interested in the food at a party, drinks? Definitely but not food. the children could easily eat at 5/5.30. If someone turned up fuming at no food, I think I'd laugh!

It wouldn't worry me as long as I was told , it's nice for them to take a £5 and choose what they if they want something from the cafe .. actually gives them some independence . Do it op invite the class . Provide drinks and let them get on with it .

I wouldn't do party bags . They're 9 not 6

I'd be fine with this. As long as it is clear in advance, I can't see the problem. It is only 90 minutes and the kids wil be busy. Just make sure the cafe provide plenty of drinks.

My sister has done parties without food, just cake, juice and crisps, she made sure it was obvious on the invite that no meal would be provided.

What about a lunch box with sandwich, juice, crisps, cake, sweets etc to take home with them after the party??

Not a problem at all if you let everyone know. The early party bags is a fantastic idea. Hope it all goes well

Are 9 yr olds not allowed party bags?

I have to do party bags I have a load of Christmas sweets we need to use up