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 have 4 children, so you can imagine the amount of soft play parties I’ve attended over the years, not once has the host ever bought or provided drinks to parents and it wouldn’t be expected either! Not even the first one as others have suggested. The parents usually go and pay for their own, or bring a cold drink with them.

I really wouldn’t be stressing over this. They can buy their own. They’re probably expecting to anyway

I think its a kind thought but not expected .Most Mums and Dads expect to buy their own ,It will add up hugely otherwise .Also many parents may not stay for 3 hours anyway!

24yrs of going to kids birthday parties and it has always been pay for your own

Usually there is 1 coffee/tea included with entry with 1 child at a play centre so I’d supply a voucher for 1 - they don’t need 2 parents with them and if they choose to both come then they can pay for their 2nd coffee!

I would expect to buy my own , however If you offer the first coffee on arrival and go up and buy them I think that’s more than enough

Let people buy their own teas and coffees. You don't need to provide for adults, you're providing for their children! I've never been to a party and been catered for myself. If I go to a soft play type place I buy my own. Have fun!

Got round this awks feeling by ordering a platter of sandwiches for the parents. I felt better and didn't feel bad about not keeping them in expensive hot drinks etc. It was a more controllable expense. I think the play centre had an option for a big tray of help yourself sandwiches for the grown ups. There was a bit of ooh wow thanks. So I felt beyond reproach. They can get their own drinks! I think you could add fries as well. It was a while ago, I am old!!

if you are already paying for food for the kids i don't think you need to feel you have to pay at the cafe
no doubt those parents will have been there before and just buy the odd coffee etc.
vry important you do not buy for one as soon as you do you are trapped.
you have fulfilled your obligation by the party you are providing - it sounds v good

I have always bought my own drinks or food, I've never expected it to be provided for me

Normally it’s a few jugs of water / squash at table . The kids will get hot playing and need a drink outside of party room time. Parents buy their own coffees. I don’t think anyone minds, we know you’ve already spent £££s

When my daughter had a soft play party like this I let the parents know I was happy to pay for their first drink. Some took me up on it and some refused and got their own.

I work at a place that hosts parties - parents always buy their own coffee. Party is paid at the end along with any drinks/snacks for the party family.

Parents should by their own drinks and snacks.

If you can afford it, an open tab is more hospitable. That's what I've always done and what I have experienced. However, if you can't afford it, just forget about it and let them buy their own drinks. You can just focus on the kids.

Never have i ever considered the parents would pay for me to have a coffee.

You don’t need to buy coffees for adults but I would maybe buy some big bottles of water and put glasses out for them, in addition to the kids stuff.

No, I always buy my own coffee at these things

Provide jugs of squash only. Nobody will expect anything more. Please don't worry about it. I've hosted loads of these things myself.

I've been to, and had multiple soft play parties. The host has never been expected to, nor has paid for stuff for the parents.

I would just get a platter of sandwiches and some juice or sodas. Surely as it’s over lunch time too, it good to provide something. Parties are usually 2 hours so 3 hours of them standing there, would be good hosting to provide a sandwich at least

I've hosted many of these types of parties and parents generally pay for themselves.

It's a kids party, you don't need to provide 10-20 adults with tea/ coffee as well. Very generous if you offer to get the 1st drink but by no means expected. Definitely not an open tab, that's a recipe for resentment if there's a CF amongst them!!

When we have kids parties and the parents stay I always offer them a drink and pay there and then but don’t keep going offering multiple usually just the first if I see them going to get one or I’ll ask if they are standing around.

Provide drinks on table for children and then adults can see tk their own drinks.

Offer to get everyone a coffee. If they want to buy more they can.