Birthday Party- Should I Pay for Parents Too?

If you are just inviting the children, then no you do not pay for the parents. If you are inviting the children and the parents, then yes, you would pay for the parents as well as the child.

You could say, "If parents would also like to jump, it is only $8.00"
Remember to bring a pair of socks..

I think the places down here, you have to wear socks to jump.

We only pay when parents are required to participate/supervise their child. For example, a pool party.

NO!
The party is for the kids. The adults shouldn't even expect cake/cupcakes or other food. If you want to provide it, fine... but at 8 yrs old, the kids are old enough to be dropped off and picked up and parents "expecting" to be treated as guests themselves (and not just their kid) are over-stepping.

When we did a rollerskating party it was the same thing. I put "spectators are free. Adult pricing is available at the front desk if you want to skate." Or something similar.

I know that if I were taking my son and staying I would not expect to have the host pay for me. Especially for that age. Toddler or preschooler might be different.

I always paid for the kids who were invited. Parents paid for themselves if they wanted to skate, ride, etc.
I would never expect a host for a kid's party to pay for me as well.

I would pay for the kids and say that if parents want to jump, too, they can pay $8 at the party. 8 yr old's parties are often drop off parties. I don't think it's tacky to specify.

If you don't offer, they won't jump. If they want to jump, they will ask, in which case, you will have to tell them to see the attendant. Let the attendant do their job.

Is it $8/person? Maybe not all the kids will show and there will be extra's, then they can jump.

When I took my daughter to a jump party, the parents watched and enjoyed watching the children have fun. None of the parents said a word about jumping. It is a bit unusual at that age for parents to need to be right by their 8 year olds side. I think most often they give them their space.

No don't pay for the parents. BTW I have been to at least a dozen jump type of parties - Pump it up, Bounce U, Laser Bounce, etc etc and at all of these, parents did not jump except maybe for a minute here or there like our kids wanted us to go down a big bouncy slide with them so we did and nobody ever asked us to pay. I would imagine it is "much ado about nothing" - don't pay for them and don't over do on the food! Just get some extra pizza and soda for adults, you should be all good! :-) enjoy

I disagree that you need to pay for parents this party is for you son and his friends.

Your invite should say Johnnys birthday party from x to x time. At 8 parents don't need to stay. But since it's a public center

You could put a line on the invite that says parents and siblings are "x" amount.

For a party of 4 year old, yes, I'd expect parents to stay and to pay for them. But for 8 year olds? No, not necessary, IMO.

geez. no.
you shouldn't even have to specify that, but i guess you do. 'you are welcome to drop your child off. if you'd like to stay and jump, the cost is $8 per person and you can purchase your ticket there.'
khairete
S.

I would address the invitation to the child. I would also word the invitation so that it is says something like "Plenty of refreshments for parents and children" and include a side note like "Parents, adults are not included in our jumping package; however, the facility does offer the opportunity for you to purchase separately".

I would not pay for parents. Do parents really stay at birthday parties? I only provided food for kids. I did have a couple of birthday parties at the park and provided lunch for all. However, I also invited parents because it was outside and nice weather, but only twice. All other birthday parties were strictly drop off from about 4 years old up.

8 year old party - most parents won't even stay. Those who stay won't jump.

I've been to a trampoline place for PTA nights and out of 30-40 parents, I was the only one who jumped. And I wouldn't have done that if my kid was off playing with friends at a party and I had to jump by myself.

I would not pay for the parents.

I'd pay for the kids and if the parents want to bounce they can go to the window and get the information for themselves.

We have hosted two trampoline parties and have been to several more. Parents probably won't stay and almost certainly won't jump. No need to even bring it up.

Usually by this age, parents will drop off their kids. But if they do stay, it is not tacky for you to expect them to pay for themselves. They are not the invited guest; there should be no expectation that you will pay for them. I would be extremely surprised if a host said they had or would be paying for the parents.

No requirement to pay for parents. If they want to jump they can.

I just spent a Friday night with our high school youth group at one of these places and I didn't see any adults jumping. Not one. So I don't know how many adults would want to be jumping when other parents are sitting around chatting or dropping and coming back to pick up later.

I say not necessary. I agree not to even bring it up. If they see that it looks fun and want to pay to jump, they will.

No, no need to pay for the parents. Just word it, "parents are welcome to drop off." Chances are most parents will use your party for free babysitting time and go run errands while their kids play. Waivers are expected at ALL active play venues.

I wouldn't feel bad asking the parents to pay for themselves. Something like that can really add up when already paying for the party!
We were looking at a local indoor rock climbing gym near us and considering the same thing. Letting the adults know what it would cost per adult if they wanted to join in. We would provide enough food and drinks for all adults though.

I can't even believe a parent would expect the party host to pay. When I take my kids to parties at places like that, I don't expect to get food, let alone jump or play with kids unless they have a quick request. It's about visiting with other parents and taking a break from the kids. At 8, I may even do a drop off unless I know the other parents.

When we have done bounce house parties I have always included a part that said that parents and siblings are welcome to join, but that while the invited kid is covered, any additional guests would have to pay their own way.

No need to pay for parents. I'd never think I'm paid for, but I might expect my children to be.

The party is for your son and his friends - not for his friends' parents. If the parents want to jump, they will have to pay for themselves. I do not think it is tacky for you to let parents know (on the invitation) that they will need to fill out a waiver and pay for themselves if they want to jump.

If my son ever attends a party where I would like to participate? No WAY would I expect the hosts to pay for me as well.
That's just tacky.
You're being g gracious enough to feed the parents.
If they want to jump, they can pay.
Just cover the kids.
As you collect the waivers, etc, mention to the parents that if they want to jump, they'll have to go to the desk to do a waiver, etc. (i.e. PAY for themselves!)

If you invite the parents, then you must pay for the parents. If you do not invite the parents, then you do not pay for the parents. I would not invite the parents and make it a drop off party. Eight year olds don't want their parents hanging out at their friends parties.

You have two choices:
1. Make it clear that the party is a drop off party. "Please drop your child off at 4:00 and pick them up at 6:00."
2. Pay for any parent who chooses to jump. Make it clear that all jumpers require a waiver. Hopefully they will have enough fun watching that they don't actually jump.

I went to a party at a trampoline park and none of the parents jumped, so you probably don't really have to worry about it.

Usually at this age, parties are drop-off.
The parents don't stay.

But since you are also seemingly, inviting the parents too... THEN YES, you state the specifics and rules of the venue, and say that, any additional adult/child beyond the invited child, they will have to pay.
And sign a waiver.

You DO NOT have to pay for the parents too.
The party, is for the kids. The birthday boy and his, invited pals.
And it is a party package, as such.

No parent should assume that the party host will pay for them to participate. These adults are not your child's guests. I can't imagine wanting to stay at a party with my 8 year old, I never did when my kids were that old. I wouldn't say anything to the parents. When they arrive, if they want to buy admission for themselves, that's their decision but you shouldn't even give them the idea. I would say nothing.

Nope, I don't pay for parents at places like that. We did a big pool party that was up to 225 people and the cost covered that many. If it was individual, I would have told them it was drop off, and if they wanted to stay they would be welcome to pay. I'd find a better way to say it though.

It's a kids birthday party not a parents birthday party. You are already paying for the kids. Don't worry just let the parents know if they want to jump they will need to pay. Plain and simple and they shouldn't get offended at all. I think they should already know that.

hey mama! i did the same type of bday party for my boy in December, he turned 5. I didn't pay for any of the parents, but when I invited them I told them it was $8 if they wanted to jump too. No big deal, I didn't feel bad at all, it was about my boy & his friends, so it didn't even cross my mind! until you said it.... :) they did get water & pizza & cake though! :)
y'all have fun, it's a cute place for a bday party. :)

Nope. I would let them know that there will be food in the party room and that if they want to jump they'll need to sign a waiver and the cost will be $8.00

I have stayed for a bit when my kids were invited but always knew if I wanted to jump I would pay. I had a jump party and only paid for kids because they are who was invited. Most parents don't want to jump, mostly they drop off. The people always allow them to check on kids in distress and that was all they cared about.

You should pay for every person listed on the invitation-the facility will handle the parents who feel the need to act like children-it is very gracious of you to provide refreshments for both children and parents-it sounds like fun!

I'm on the fence with this one.

I would never expect someone to pay for me at a kids party, yet I would most likely pay for a parent if I was hosting. My son will be 8 next year, so I will be facing this soon. The parties I hosted have always had the parents (one year several kids were brought by one parent since the other moms/dads were working).

There is nothing weird with parents hanging out at the event. It is nice for many of the ones who work so much and rarely see the other parents to connect with the families.

I do like the idea of Queen of the Castle wrote "parents are free to drop off." This will help limit the siblings from showing up (my concern for next year depending on the venue).

Most parents won't expect you to pay for them. Most have been to these types of parties before and know you bought a party package for a limited number of kids.

You might get people asking about siblings so be forewarned. Like the others said, point them to the front desk.

Actually I am not sure most parents will want to bounce. I think it's ok to not pay for them. It also gives them an out with the kids too if they already didn't want to :)