To not cater a children’s party?

[Littlejayx]

My little girl will be turning 3 in may and I have booked a local art studio (think small independent place doing crafty bits and painting) I have booked this for 1 and a half hours but will not provide any food, except drinks.

Instead after a hour of craft and half a hour of party games, I will give out party bags song happy birthday with cake and out we all go.

This is the same day as our local food and drink market (small village) and will be eating out and about and people can join us or go do their own thing.

Is this acceptable? We usually have soft play centres and everything just gets left and it seems so wasteful 😩 tell me if I’m being unreasonable and I will change this (not much mum experience)

Depends on the time. If it last 90m and you're starting between 11-12 then most would expect lunch as its lunch time. Start at 2-3, then they'd have already eaten and a few sweets or biscuits would be fine to snack on.

Do it 2-3:30 or 9:30-11am and nobody will want food anyway. As long as the invite is clear then I can’t see a problem.

Make sure it is not close to lunch time and make it clear on the invitations that there is no food.

I have 3DCs and have been to a zillion parties but never one that wasn't catered. If you want to avoid waste you could do individual boxes for each child with just a few things in (crisps, half a sandwich, biscuit for example) rather than a huge buffet. If you choose not to offer food I would make sure you tell the parents so they know what to expect.

It definitely depends on timing. If it's not around lucnh time, i'd say it's fine. I would definitley be clear on the invites though as well.

What craft / art are you expecting 2 and 3 yr olds to do for an hour ?
Come to that, what party games are you expecting them to be able to understand and follow ?

It is generally expected that the host provides food and drink for the guests. Might not be a meal, but something.

I had one paety where the only food was ice cream and cake... And I stated it on the invitation.

No it’s really rude to do that.

Sorry but I think thats really stingy and isnt great hosting a birthday. Would it really be that much of an effort to put maybe a platter or two of small snacks? And at least some tea/coffee for the parents? It doesn't have to be anything fancy but literally having nothing isnt very nice.
If it's over lunchtime you have to provide something.

Totally depends what time you're doing it. If its, say 14:30-16:00 then it's fine. If its 11:30-13:00 not so much.

Depends on timing. If it is 10:30-12 I'd expect food. If it is 2;3:30pm then I wouldn't

It is around lunch time and so I will do the box idea! Thank you @emsyj37 I haven’t thought of that so that will make things seem less wasteful!

I think it will seem a bit mean though, sorry OP! Even just some biscuits or nibbles would be appreciated I'm sure.

@BackforGood it’s at my daughters usual art club, she’s been going there for a year, they do really clever little crafts and sand art etc
And party games she will be the youngest as the rest coming are older but she loves pass the parcel and musical bumps so it will be fine 😊

Also wonderingbehat crafts 2/3 year olds will do for an hour? I am lucky to get 10 mins out of colouring/play doh with my 2.5 y/o!

I will go with the packed lunch option with sausage rolls/veggie versions and crisps, veg, babybels and chocolate. Will that be enough with birthday cake after? X

I think people will expect food, yes. unless it's the "norm" among your DD's friends that no one caters, but sounds like that is not the case.

If you don't want waste just hand out one or two plates of things at a time (which is fine for 3 year olds anyway, as they tend to get flummoxed if faced with too many different options. and then take leftovers home.

It does depend what time it is. If over a mealtime then you should provide food and if not drinks and snacks. I would expect some food even if just a packet of crisps.

Don't wish to sound rude but the party sounds a bit joyless as it is and without food not much fun at all. Put a smile on the kids faces and give them some junk food at least OP.

You should put something out for the parents. Especially as its lunchtime.

Yeah, I'd do something foodwise. Even a token. Even if it's just a cupcake and half a jam sandwich. (Little afternoon tea with their craft).

But round here, catering for parents isn't a thing. Buy them a coffee maybe.

@Littlejayx - that sounds plenty. The box idea is good.

I would just provide squash/water and biscuits.
A place that used to be near me has events for children's parties where the children would have plaster figures to paint. Mostly princess, super heroes etc. One Saturday in the middle of a party, trading standards arrived and raided the place. All the plaster figures that they had made were trademarked Disney ones that they didn't have a licence to use for monetary gain. They bought the moulds from China and tried to say to trading standards that they thought they were ok to use them because it was for educational purpises.
Sorry op, a bit off topic there

I don't think you have to cater for adults (unlike kids they can wait to eat) but a coffee would definitely be appreciated.