2 year old birthday party

[kisaki333]

Heya,

I'm just organising my DD's 2 year old BP. I don't have a lot of experience in this area as I did not grow up here. So need some advice on what's customary.

We went with one of the local softplays and invited children from her nursery. The softplay is in a cafe type of setting so they will also provide some food for the children (chips and nuggets or similar) and a drink. I will also buy a cake.
The setting does not allow food in the main softplay area, so basically the children play and then in the last 30 mins we go to a separate room for the food. Trouble is this room isn't big enough for children and potentially 2 parents each.
So questions I have:
Is it customary to eat the cake on site? Or do we just put it in takeaway boxes in the party gift bags for them to take home?
If they do eat cake on site, is it everyone or just the children?
How about catering for the grownups, should i be getting them at least something to drink? The cafe owner suggested i open a tab for coffee/tea, but at 3 pounds a drink, I'm not sure i can afford that... There's over 15 children coming. Can i bring some cups and a few 2l bottles of coke/water/whatever?
How do I navigate telling the parents there's not enough room to sit with the children while they eat? And any suggestions what they could be doing during the time?

My children are 9 and 6 and we've been to a lot of soft play parties. I'm always happy to buy my own coffee.

This is a lot at 2! My soft play doesnt offer parties for 2 year olds because you have to have adults supervising each child and that means all parents would have to stay and therefore pay to attend. I think parents would be fine to buy their own coffee!

Don’t open a tab for tea and coffee, people will expect to buy their own.

Parents will squeeze into that room to help their kids regardless of what you say with them only being 1 or 2 - I wouldn’t say anything because it won’t make any difference.

Parents will be happy to buy their own drinks, so don't worry about that.

If your daughter is turning 2 how old are the children you have invited, as if they're under 2 the venue might have different areas / zones and children will need constant supervision. For example with the food area I can't imagine many parents being comfortable with their under 2s eating the meal suggested, especially without supervison.

Have you booked the party and sent out invites? Because if not I would consider cancelling and doing something small at home. Save the bigger parties until she's at school.

Thanks all!
Most of the children will be her age or older as they all go to the same nursery. I went to another 2 year old's party in the same place and it was loads of fun for the children. That's why i wanted to book this. But at the time they didn't have the rule about food in a separate room so dynamic was a bit different. Had i known ill, I would have booked a different place.
Too late to back out now, unfortunately

Parents will be happy to buy their own drinks, so don't worry about that.

I absolutely agree, buying your own coffee is fine! As for the cake, you can see how it goes, probably, and if eating it right there would be absolutely inconvenient, you can always suggest to pack it up (so have the boxes ready in advance).

Also I'd make sure you have some backup plan if the kids are bored. You can make a slideshow with birthday songs or come up with some games if necessary, it's better to be prepared just in case.