Feeling sick at how much I’m spending on kids party

[Mum5432]

Can’t really talk to anyone in RL as they will think I’m really tight with money or stupid.

I’m having my first ever party for my son who is primary school age. I looked into lots of options like hiring a hall etc. but it was too much headache as I would have to source the food, entertainment etc. myself and I just don’t have time.

So I booked softplay as I don’t need to worry about anything they will provide everything. I worded the invite very carefully to explain the party will be for named child only and not siblings so that bit is sorted.

but I’m getting really worried about the spiralling costs as I didn’t factor in that my son and his younger siblings count in the list too so it’s £25 EACH just for birthday boy and his brothers and sisters! I’ve also had to invite cousins from both sides as we get invited every year. I’ve also let few close friends bring their younger children as they have no childcare so that’s another £25 for 4 siblings = £100!

I’m really worried as when I planned this with DH I budgeted 6-8 kids from school. Didn’t realise my kids would also have to pay. Plus I have to pay for the adult entry. How the hell do people afford this! The play centre is booked every weekend. There was a cancellation so I managed to grab a spot on DS actual birthday date. It’s ridiculous. Not sure what I’m looking for from this thread.

Yeah do that. I've done similar before. Sunny day, toys in the back garden, pizza. Everyone goes home. You deal with the mess and save about £600.

Most people would do a bouncy castle or soft play or an entertainer.
No wonder it was so expensive

Exactly there are so many ''we bought a mansion in Beverly Hills with a private beach and our neighbours are Jennifer Aniston and Tom Hanks. Property is so expensive'' type mentalities on here.

In other words, some people here are detached from reality.

my DD is 6 this month & this is 100% her last party - £450 & I’m not putting decs up AND doing the food myself😡 absolutely ridiculous just for 2 hours

Sorry but is is you that is ridiciculous for paying this; please break down the costs and I guarantee you I could give you suggestiopns that would save you at least 300 quid with no less quality of a party.

I've done both soft play parties and hire the hall parties for my DS. The soft play was the most expensive but nowhere near the amount of yours. And we did invite the whole class (but not all accepted as it was August)...

The venue wasn't exclusive to our party, it remained open to general public but was a very large soft play place with a few levels and party rooms. The package invited parents to stay and we included a hot drink and cake type refreshments for them. Lunch was catered for in one of the party rooms. Staff were on hand to help. I thought it was worth the money we paid tbh, it was several years ago and I would expect it to cost more now, but not as much as you're paying!

My child isn't at birthday party age yet but is it really a thing to pay for other children siblings?!?! It would never have crossed my mind to do this....

That seems very dear!

Out local soft play parties are about £12 a head. That includes pizza or sausages/nuggets/chips and drinks from local restaurant. Free tea /coffee to adults in charge and birthday child goes free.

For smaller children the parents sometimes do stay - they are welcome to bring along any siblings but they pay for them. When the child is a bit older most just drop and collect.That's always been the convention at our local school parties anyway.

*That's always

No it’s not!

And there's no adult entry fee...

While I agree it’s a ridiculous amount to spend, not everyone has a garden or a spring/summer birthday, it’s a nonsense to suggest that’s an option for everyone. My DD’s birthday is in the winter and our garden is small. She is never going to have a birthday party in the garden. There is nothing unreasonable about hiring a hall.

It’s not a thing.

In hindsight you were too generous saying siblings could come and you would pay. I agree with cancelling and making an excuse. If its expensive per child then you need to limit numbers very strictly. Or tell the parents that unfortunately you can't cover the cost of siblings.

I see. I've never heard of soft play being exclusive hire. They normally have several parties throughout the day and usually two at a time. No wonder it's expensive!

£25 per head

It's been years since I've been to done and even worked at when in my teens a soft play but a party they were £10/11 pp for play, food drink and party cake and the birthday cake was provided.

Min 10 children.

If you wanted to hire out the play sentry it was from 7-8pm and minimum numbers were 20 (so £200 min)

You always had to pay for any siblings but birthday child was free.

You could chose buffet or hot meal but most people went for buffet for the booked out parties and we'd turn a blind eye to the odd younger toddler coming in. (For example younger siblings who could play we would charge if party host agreed entrance free (£3). If they choose to share buffet with them it was no skin off our nose.

Parents were free and the cafe served tea and coffee, cake and sandwiches/chips etc.

There's NO WAY it's value for time or money to pay £250 for 10 children when you are including family and siblings in that.

That sounds ridiculously expensive for a soft play party. For my daughters party I just did it at home, we bought some teddy bear making kits, they made their own pizzas and did typical party games like pass the parcel. Everything was under £200 including cake, decorations and party bags. If it’s a summer birthday, I think a picnic in the park or garden would be great! I’ve been to 4 soft play parties this year, I get that they’re convenient, but ridiculously over priced and overrated. I’d cancel it and tell everyone you’re having a party at your house instead.

Our wedding reception only cost about £30 a head. A few years ago now, but still.

£25 each... is this soft play the queens private one in buckingham palace serving gold plated caviar?

£9.99 - £12.99 is standard cost pp for a pay per head kids party... expensive ones push £16pp.

I would definately cancel and plan something else.

For future reference its always cheaper to DIY than go for pay per head packages - I throw my primary school age kids a whole class birthday party every years and never spent more than £150 (we have done all sorts including disco in a hall, sports hall party with coach, cinema, resteraunt meal, swimming party etc...).

Yes it can be expensive, but the entertainment, food and organising is down to the soft play centre plus you wont have to set up before or clean up afterwards. We are having around 20 children, however as we are members of our soft play centre we get a discount which means its half the price you've been quoted. It is a lot of money but if they've never had a party before and they're turning 7, then its £100 per year that they didn't get a party. The birthday child understands that by having a party not to expect presents, the party is their gift and they will have a few small items to open from family.

It's £13.50 per child here. That is extortionate!

What about if you ask close family and friends if they wouldn't mind paying for they're own child? Instead of bringing gifts he doesn't really need?

25 quid per head😲😲😲 even here in rip off Ireland it's not that much.

Are you sure there's not a cheaper package that you can change it to?

Play centres are always known to be the more expensive option, no use to you now, but for the future it's worth doing your own hiring of places and cooking.

Are you sure you can't cancel it?

I'm sure friends have an idea of your personal financial circumstances and they wouldn't want you struggling to afford this.

Unless you have paid a massive deposit I'd cancel and bring DC out for the day as a treat.

Your DC only.

That's a pickle. You definitely got in over your head. If you're determined to still do soft play I'd apologetically message any parent of a child not on the '8 friend' list and be honet about how costs spiralled and you can no longer pay for then.

That seems very high for softplay. Around here you can hire the entire venue for around £200 and fill it with children. Those prices where I live are usually for places such as trampoline parks.