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?

Twice I’ve attended a soft play and the party host parents have said to all attending parents to order one hot drink at the cafe and they will pay.

Equally, I’m more than happy to pay for my own and would expect to.

But parents will be used to buying their own coffee. Don’t be a mug. They won’t: be treating you to a coffee when it’s their turn.

Don’t do it. If you really want do something, take a multipack of water bottles (£2.50 in Lidl) and have them on a table.

You don’t need to provide adults with any drinks.

I’ve never provided nor been provided with drinks as a parent. Any adult knows they’re paying for their own.

If I had was an attending parent, I would 100% expect to pay for my own coffee!

I think it's fine so long as you are clear. 'Lunch, drinks and cake will be provided for the children and there's a bar for adults to buy anything they want.'

We opened a tab for parents to get hot drinks at our DS’s Reception year party at a soft play. It was very well received and people were sensible and didn’t abuse the hospitality. There were about 25 parents there and our total bill for the drinks was about £80.

I used to ask parents if they wanted a tea or coffee and go and buy them. Not a
tab though. Not everyone would say yes.

At some parties I've had to buy my own, at some others the host has bought them or had a tab at the cafe. I didn't judge either way, I don't think it's a big deal whichever option you go for, they're both normal ok options.

Hosted for 34 kidss lol. Juice squash etc big jugs for kids. Bottled water. Parents got their own tea / coffees

No, parents buy their own coffees. That's how it's always been when I've attended this type of party and I've been to loads.

The party is for the kids so you provide food and drink for them. Adults bring/buy their own.

This. Maybe you could offer 1 “round” to each person a coffee and buy it for them but after that it’s on them. Only if you really wanted to.

The party is for the children. You provide food and refreshments for the children parents sort their own out. The only time I provided drinks for parents was when we had a party in a community centre.

I've been at kids parties where the Dad has gone round the cafe area and asked people if they want a drink before placing an order for teas and coffees for everyone. I agree it's a nice touch. I'd avoid prebooking it though because we once arranged tea, coffee and bacon rolls for the parents while the kids had their party tea but lots of parents went and ordered and paid for their own while the kids were still doing the activity and then didn't want what's we'd prepaid for - very annoying, but lesson learned!

I don't think your expected to provide coffee and tea for parents.

Been to loads of parties like this and parents always pay for their own things-you pay for the kids. I do respect some people feel they have to provide for cultural reasons (some of my friends/family do) but that is not the norm so don't feel you should.

I would never expect the party mum to buy the adults a tea or coffee. The adults should sort themselves out

I would expect to pay for my own drinks as a parent in this type of party

Surely you provide for the children only. Adults get their own.

I buy my own coffee and sausage butty at the soft play where I’m at a party most weeks never occurred anyone would pay for me?

I’ve never had someone pay for my coffee. I’ve always paid for my own. The only time any refreshments were ever provided for parents was if it was at someone’s house.
Three hours is quite long. How old are the kids?

The host parent always does a coffee order round or tab here. I guess we know the tab is only used for a coffee per parent so doesn’t feel risky, if you think the parents would be more cheeky than that, go around and take orders and give them to the cafe?

The parents buy their own coffee and stuff from the bar

this is the way