Page 14 | Children's party, lunch etiquette

FisherThem · 2023-08-08T07:32:10+00:00

Mum to DD4, just starting the round of while class parties. Went to a soft play party, 1230-1430, lunch included. Was I being unreasonable to assume that there would be some refreshments for parents as well as kids?

clarepetal · 10/08/2023 11:59

Yellowcar2 · 08/08/2023 08:34

At a soft play centre I would assume adults would buy their own. Parties are already expensive especially if whole class.

This.

LolaSmiles · 10/08/2023 12:05

Well either you have a very bizarre soft play who are working as a charity or still have more money than sense because exclusive hire is insanely expensive.
To be fair to that poster, I've only ever been to soft play parties that are booked for the party guests only.

Maybe it's because the people booking them chose smaller soft play places and ones attached to sports centres, rather than the very large ones that are hellishly busy every weekend.

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 10/08/2023 12:14

Our local council leisure centre charges £450 for exclusive use of their soft play plus an optional £6 per child for a 'picnic meal' that consists of soft cheese sandwiches, raisins, a Babybel, popcorn and a low-sugar drink. I've looked at the T&Cs and can't see whether they are happy for you to bring your own food with exclusive hire but as the food package is optional that could be possible.

The standard party package, which includes a hot meal, is £17 per child, so if you are inviting 30 kids, exclusive hire and own food would work out cheaper.

If you can't afford to spend over £400 on a child's birthday party (and many of us can't) then you obviously won't be going for either of those options.

RuthW · 10/08/2023 12:18

No refreshments for adults at any kids parties I've been to.

Merryoldgoat · 10/08/2023 12:31

Jesus Christ - can you not read? Part of hosting FOR ME!

Wakintoblueskies · 10/08/2023 13:49

I think the confusion on this thread is because some people are referring to soft play as a small local community centre type place which are obviously cheaper and can bring own food and the rest of the thread are referring to a very large professionally run centre with full time party hosts and hot food where the price per child is £16 so for a class of 25 kids, the cost is £400.

Obviously adults are not asked or do not expect to go into a party room to sit on little chairs eating chips while singing happy birthday to the kids!

It’s like comparing apples and oranges.

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 10/08/2023 14:01

Agreed, @Wakintoblueskies . And, as @Merryoldgoat has demonstrated, we all have different ideas of what a reasonable cost is for us personally that we may not be sharing.

I would say though that, living in a fairly prosperous bit of the world, with parents who were not particularly struggling for money, I still never came across any catering for adults at the sort of 'sit around at a soft play' type parties, other than the occasional parents who offered everyone a hot drink. Any whole class parties tended to be self-catered community hall with rented bouncy castle type things where there often were bits and pieces for adults (as the OP herself has experienced) - the '£x per head' ones only kicked it once the party size had shrunk down a bit, and by then often they were drop and go parties anyway.

Pebstk · 10/08/2023 22:37

Buy your own lunch - they fed the children

HauntedPencil · 11/08/2023 12:34

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 10/08/2023 14:01

Agreed, @Wakintoblueskies . And, as @Merryoldgoat has demonstrated, we all have different ideas of what a reasonable cost is for us personally that we may not be sharing.

I would say though that, living in a fairly prosperous bit of the world, with parents who were not particularly struggling for money, I still never came across any catering for adults at the sort of 'sit around at a soft play' type parties, other than the occasional parents who offered everyone a hot drink. Any whole class parties tended to be self-catered community hall with rented bouncy castle type things where there often were bits and pieces for adults (as the OP herself has experienced) - the '£x per head' ones only kicked it once the party size had shrunk down a bit, and by then often they were drop and go parties anyway.

Same - but I've noticed that parents only really "get it" for the pay per head ones sometimes when they have the pain of doing one themselves - eg turning up with siblings, dropping out for a crap reason on the way when you've paid, etc etc.

They are better left until they are a bit older and the parents can leg it!

Ilikepinacoladass · 12/08/2023 07:52

Going against the grain here and may it's because I've only been to 3year olds parties so far, but at that age it's usually about inviting your friends and their kids etc (as well as nursery), and as much for parents to chat and make friends, as for the kids, and there has always been stuff for adults to eat too.

For my 3 year olds party I wouldn't have dreamt of not providing any food for the adults!

Ilikepinacoladass · 12/08/2023 07:54

Probably why I prefer more informal parties at that age tbh

londonrach · 12/08/2023 08:11

No food for children. Parents can leave the children and if they want to stay but their own food. It's different if that your home as you can't buy food there so provide food for those staying

Newestname002 · 12/08/2023 08:53

My word @FisherThem - what a drubbing you've received over a simple enquiry!

Consider yourself now well educated and I hope the virtual bruising goes down soon. 🌹

Ilikepinacoladass · 12/08/2023 09:11

Would it really be a drop off at a 4 year olds party though?

Killingmytime · 12/08/2023 12:56

Hufflepods · 08/08/2023 08:45

Is it?? Jam sandwiches are utter garbage. Even in the 90s school wouldn’t have let you have them for lunch.

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Was a very early 90’s kid, jam normal offering