To ask friends to bring activities for their children.

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Within our friends, we are the only ones without children, although I’m currently pregnant. It’s pretty common for us to meet up over mealtimes and usually we go to the friends house, sometimes they will cook and sometimes we’ll take food to heat up/take away.

DH and I are happy to host at ours but I usually ask friends bring something for their children to do. All children are primary school age.

Just recently, a few friends have said they won’t bring something as their children enjoy our house so much. I find this frustrating as although their children enjoy ours for the first ten mins, they then get bored. I’ve got a few childrens books and some board games I can adapt but nothing else. It ends up that I’m running hide and seek, drawing, adapted games etc and basically entertaining their children who then get bored and say they want to go home. Parents are usually watching/chatting. DH and I take it in turns to entertain children and cook.

YABU to suggest friends bring something for their child to do?

YANBU parents need to provide something for their children to do in a house that doesn’t have children

I would put on a film for them if parents don’t bring toys.

ends up that I’m running hide and seek, drawing, adapted games etc and basically entertaining their children who then get bored and say they want to go home. stop doing that. Let them be bored if their parents don't want to entertain them

Stop entertaining the kids. You are the reason that the parents aren't bringing stuff or parenting their kids. The kids are having a whale of a time with you as their entertainment.
Put the TV on and give them a big bowl of popcorn. Close the door! Parents screen limits apply only in their own homes. If they don't like it, they can amuse their kids.
If the kids start playing up - keep asking the parents to deal with it. If they don't stop inviting these people into your home. Meet them for lunch or activities elsewhere.

Be prepared to say something like 'well then you'll have to entertain them. We are not able to do so this time and soon we'll have our own ti de with so it's on you now' and keep prodding them to go so and saying 'CF your dc are in the no go zone. Please manage them' or 'CF we don't want dc in the xx room please. Would you find them something to do safely' when they inevitably say something like 'oh no. Not screen time. They need to socialise without screens'.

Child proof one room and out a console or old iPad in it. Leave some books on the table and the children will be mesmerised

if parents complain then ask them to take over

Stop inviting these fuckwits over. Simple.

Absolutely this! As a parent myself, I'd never expect a friend with no kids to be entertaining my kids when I'm at their place.

You've been making a rod for your own back so far by being the entertainer. That stops now. Tell the parents beforehand that you'll not be doing that (no excuse needed, it's your house!) and you'd like the adults to enjoy socialising. Tell then you'll be putting TV / movie on and the kids should bring some toys or activitiies. Then, just hold firm when they come. The parents will soon get the message. If they don't like it they can arrange a sitter for their kids.

We have always taken a travelbag on visits or to restaurants when we were young parents and we now do the same when we go out with our grandchildren. Sometimes the hosts have provided something theirselves and we appreciate that. But usually our (grand)children made/make good use of what we brought/bring ourselves. The bag may contain toys (like cars or dinosaurs etc.), a book, drawing paper, crayons, a favorite softtoy for difficult moments. Our daughter liked to take her doll(s) and some accessoires. We have never expected the host(s) to entertain or play with our (grand)children. I think it's just good manners.