Do I pay for all their coffees and drinks?

[Argentinasnargentina]

Dd’s birthday party this weekend. It’s at a soft play/activity type place. It’s three hours long and will include lunch provided by the establishment-pizzas, cheeseburgers, sweets, fruit platter, water and juices, cupcakes etc.
There are ten children coming with parents, the place has a cafe/coffee bar selling drinks & snacks.
As we’re hosting, what do I do? I feel
a bit uncomfortable with parents coming and having to buy their own coffee and cold drinks but the other option to have it open and we pay the bill at the end scares me a bit!
The party with all food included and an entertainer coming has cost a lot and the lunch will be plentiful

Not sure what to do?

I would ask the party people to provide water/squash for the table but if parents want to buy a drink, that’s down to them. If you open a tab, that could get very expensive! I have never known this to happen at a party.

When I've been a guest at similar they had big jugs of ordinary coffee and tea in the party room. If you wanted anything fancier you had to pay for it. Isn't that an option?

Yes how about big jug of tea /coffee?
But equally don't feel you have to , I have always assumed I will be buying my own drink /snack if I go somewhere like that

There will be juice and water at lunchtime at 12, but party starts at 10.30 and parents will most likely want a coffee/drink, it feels awkward that they should go and pay for this at the bar 😬 i’d like to offer them refreshments

Get jugs of water and juice for the table.

I have been to countless soft play parties and only once was there an open tab for coffees. It was a very kind gesture don't get me wrong but I was shocked at their generosity.

Coffees in soft play venues aren't cheap!

X

Ive been to loads of this type of party. Parents buy their own.

I have bought/been bought tea and coffee at soft play parties and similar, and equally bought my own. It's a welcome gesture but probably not essential

I am always happy to grab my own coffee at these sorts of parties.

Parents usually buy their own .

When I've been at these kinds of parties the host usually asks parents if they want tea/coffee/soft drink once everyone has arrived and go up and order it and then after that people just sort themselves if they want any more. I definitely wouldn't have an open tab.

Food and squash for the kiddies and parents suit themselves. I’ve never been bought a drink and I’ve two teenagers now that went to countless parties ! Parents and carers now the score and some will be CF’s so don’t give a second thought ! Hope your little one has fun !

In my circle most people have said at the start to feel free to grab a coffee and that there is a tab. People will just get one in my experience so you will not be stung for cakes or multiple fancy drinks. It feels like the hospitable thing to do.

That said, I would not judge in the slightest if someone did not offer a drink. The times that has been the case don't stand out at all.

How old are kids. Usually soft play are drop and run and freedom

so unusual parents staying

you are brave doing 3hrs. Most parties I’ve done /been too are 2hrs

Just bulk buy some cans of coke/lemonade and put them out for the parents. If theu want hot drinks then they buy them. Simple. You have provided

So ask them?

The lady said that I can pre order cold drinks for them or they pay for themselves or I could pay their bill at the end and that most parents are sensible and just get a cold drink or coffee-you never know though and if potentially some had both parents come, that could really add up!

As a parent that has been to many parties like this, I expect to buy my own. TBH at 3 hours I wouldn't be staying 😅

Perfectly normal for parents to pay for their own coffees at a child's soft play party.

So you pay for everyone’s first one?

I’d say it’s 50/50 on whether there’s a tab or people buy their own coffee. I’m always happy to do the latter. I do also think 3 hours is quite long too unless there are lots of organised activities.

I have always bought my own coffee at these kind of parties. You’ve already paid for my child, you don’t need to feed me too.

Not sure they’ll let me bring my own?

This

We have a soft play near us and I've been to a few parties there, I've always had to buy my own drinks etc. The kids get food and drinks for free, the adults sort themselves out.

I think offering a round of coffees once, when everyone has arrived is plenty.

Then water and possibly squash on the table.

An open tab is asking for trouble! Most people might be sensible but it only takes a couple of CFs to decide they need multiple coffees each for two parents, and then a couple of hot chocolates for the uninvited sibling they brought along (and will encourage to sit down for food with the party) and it could really add up.

Edit - but it’s also fine to leave people to buy their own hot drinks rather than offering that initial “round”

I took have always bought my own if I wanted it. I definitely would never expect the host to buy one for me.