Paying for parents

[Butkin]

We're thinking of organising DD's 5th party at the local zoo. They do a package with animal encounters, tea etc.

Obviously we'll pick up the tab for all children but what is the etiquette about paying for parents. The zoo makes them pay the admission charge - should we pay for them or should we just pay for the children?

If it's a fifth b'day party why don't you just have a couple of other adults- whom you pay for- and give the other parents a couple of hours to themselves spending time in Regents park/ the west end.
I don't think you could be expected to pay for all the parents.

Thanks Manchita but this is a rural zoo in mid-Suffolk so parents will need to transport their kids there and we suspect they will mostly stay. I tend to think the parents will pay but don't want to them to muttering behind our backs!

hmmm don't think I would organise something that was going to cost people money tbh. How much is an adult entry ticket?

Kids will be 11 quid each (to include entrance, animal encounter, animal feeding session and meal). Parents are 7.95

For her 3rd we did soft play area and that was easy because parents are free. However we have to have at least 1 parent per 5 kids and I suspect most parents will stay anyway.

Struggling with other options because swimming pool party has been done and they charge for parents as well. Entertainer parties also done to death.

Party not till Feb but this brings its own problems with the weather ie you need to have something that is as enjoyable inside as out.

Well, I'd be less than chuffed to have a choice of either paying £7.95 entrance fee or amusing myself for a few hours in the back of beyond. Could you ask a couple of the parents that you know to come along and help you out and ask them to provide transport for the others(paying their entrance fee) then if any of the other parents really insist on driving their own child or coming with them you could then say fine, but I can't cover your entrance fee.

Do you have a leisure centre that does parties? We have done trampolining, crafty party and general games bouncy castle followed by tea. The children are supervised and parents can either watch - free of charge - or IME most just leave the children there grateful for a couple of hours off.

Think its a bit much tbh. Parents have already got to buy a present and get their kids there (and not everyone drives) and then will have to sit about in the middle of february for however long or pay 8 quid to come with their child.

But then, I don't see the need at five for anything other than a tea-party at home with treasure hunts/pass the parcel etc.

If you wnat the zoo party then invite less children so you are still within budget to pay for the parents.

I would not organise a party and expect anyone to pay anything. I normally also invite siblings of the children as well if i know the parents have issues getting the siblings looked after.

Am agreeing with the others who say I'd be less than chuffed at a child's birthday party costing me something - other than present and card obv.

I think you are expecting too much asking parents to pay. At 5, children are not too bothered about the type of party so long as their friends are there. Our local leisure centre has a party for this age with races and party games. Perfect!

Thanks for your advice - we've knocked this idea on the head. It would have been brilliant for the kids and not too far for most parents but agree with your thoughts on payment.

Struggling for other ideas - mighty try the leisure centre idea but not sure which town to pick!

We're going to a swimming pool party next Saturday so will try and find if they have a leisure centre attached.

painting pottery?
cooking party at your house, maybe with a company to organise it?
if you are on a big budget, one of those companies who bring animals to show?
riding/pony party at a stables?
craft party at your house or in a church hall?
disco in a hall?

You said 'entertainer parties done to death'. I'm not sure what that means. TBH I don't think children really crave novelty, especially not at 5, and if they did I would feel sad that the magic had gone from parties for them. Hopefully you are not caught in some competitive parties spiral.

I'd do a traditional home party (rarity) or something like a reptile party if no one else has already done it.

or you could just take a couple of children to the zoo and one or two favourite trusted parents to help you?

I like where you're coming from iheartdusty. The painting pottery thing is def something to consider - particulary in the future when we are more likely to just invite her girlfriends. Trouble is this year (reception) we are keen to invite the whole class just so we don't alienate anybody - especially as we don't really know who she gets on with at this stage.

The riding pony thing is also a possibility for the future however not yet as insurance problems with riding schools for the under 5s in her class. She has joined the pony club and will probably make other friends that way next Spring/Summer.

Craft party is definitely something she'd enjoy - will try and find out if there is anybody that could help us as we'd be overwhelmed if tried to do it by ourselves.

She has been to a couple of disco parties and neither she nor we appreciate them at this age.

Cooking is an interesting idea. One of the local pizza places allows kids to don chef's hats and create their own pizzas which then go off to be cooked whilst they get stuck into a few games. This will be a good idea for the future when we're talking less numbers.

When I said "entertainers done to death" I meant that the company which seems to provide the best entertainers in our area have done her last 3 parties (in the last 2 months) so will be a bit repetitive for her and her school chums. However this is still something to be considered.

I'm most interested by your comments about bringing animals to show you and Wheresthehamster (great name!)'s reptile party. We could hire the local village hall and do a tea in there is we could get something exciting like this. How do you go about getting somebody like this?

Thanks for all your advice!

I have only seen this for party ideas on other threads but schools also get these companies in.
one to get you started:
zoolab

list of craft party organisers in Suffolk
here

Reptile Roadshow is another company. Get a hall, a bouncy castle (animal theme), get everyone to come in fancy dress (safari gear or animal costume), play some party games with an animal twist, and let the reptile people do their stuff. Sounds great to me!

For everybody kind enough to reply to my original thread I thought I'd let you know that DD's 5th party was a big success on Sunday.

We ended up doing a tour of a stud farm - on their coach - and then 26 kids back to their coffee shop for shetland pony patting and tea.

All went very well and gave the kids an unusual, animal themed, visit that their parents also enjoyed.