Everything to know about parents at kids parties
When planning the best kids party ever, most of your focus will be (understandably) on the kids themselves. This could include food and drink, kids entertainment, or even identifying the perfect venue to host all of the kids you’ve got coming along.
But while planning for the kids that’ll be attending, don’t forget about an older group who are still very much involved: the parents.
If you’ve not taken part in kids parties before – either hosting or attending – then it’s likely you’re not familiar with the etiquette that parents tend to stick to around these events. Do parents stay at kids parties? Are they included as guests when working out your numbers?
Don’t worry – we’re here to help. As the experts in kids parties, we’ve helped to throw thousands of memorable events over the years, and have seen different approaches to managing the parental side of your guest list.
Do parents stay at kids parties?
The answer to this question can be subjective; some parents may want to stay, regardless of your intentions. This can be for a variety of reasons, including:
- Safety. If the parents aren’t familiar with you or the location you’re hosting the party, they may choose to stay and keep an eye on things.
- Socialisation. Lots of parents will know each other through their children, and they might see the party as a chance to catch up with friends.
- Helping out. Whether you’ve asked for help or not, some parents might feel empathetic towards your position and want to lend a hand to make things run smoothly.
If you have a particular preference on whether parents should stay at the kids party, make sure to include this on the initial invites you send out. A friendly notice like “Parents can drop off their kids and enjoy the afternoon – collection is at X, please!” helps to establish the status quo ahead of time.
The question of parents staying at the kids party can also be answered by your child’s age. We tend to see this break down into the following categories:
1-4 years
For especially young children, it’s common that parents will stay for the duration of the party. This is because kids this age can be a handful, and might become emotional if their parent or caregiver isn’t on-hand when they need them.
5-9 years
As kids get a little older, you might find that there’s a split on whether parents will stay for the party or not. Some parents may want to hang around to make sure their kids are okay, while others will trust that they’re in good hands and come collect them when things start to wind down.
10+
As any parent of a teenager will know, there’s a sudden (and unpredictable) switch when you can become the most uncool person in your child’s eyes. Even if things aren’t that dramatic, it’s often the case that parents of teenagers will drop them off and pick them up, without hanging around for the main event.
Are parents included as guests in kids parties?
When booking a kids party, almost all suppliers will want to know roughly how many guests can be expected. This can influence things like cost and scheduling, or might even prohibit you from booking certain elements if guest numbers are too high.
All of our kids parties, for example, have maximum attendance numbers which you’ll be able to find on each party’s respective booking page. The Princess and Superheroes Party, for example, caters to a maximum of 40 children, whereas our UV Glow Disco Party can accommodate up to 300.
These numbers don’t include parents, because we’re considering party games and our entertainers’ ability to keep everybody engaged. For something like catering, however, you might want to include rough parent numbers alongside kids, to make sure that everybody has something to eat come mealtime.
Some venues may also have maximum attendance numbers for safety reasons, so make sure to keep this in mind if you’re hosting a particularly sizable party.
What do you feed parents at a kids party?
Unless you’re feeling especially creative, there’s a simple answer to this: whatever you’re feeding the kids.
Most party food will include the likes of mini pizzas, cocktail sausages, sandwiches, and sweets. And unless there are particular dietary restrictions at hand, there’s nothing wrong with parents grabbing a small plate for themselves during the party’s food break.
It’s also worth noting that almost all parents won’t expect you to cater specifically for them as part of the party’s food and drink, unless this has been specified on the invites beforehand. You’ve already got enough on your plate with the rest of the party planning – they’ll appreciate that their midday meal isn’t at the top of your agenda.
Want help throwing the best kids party ever? Get in touch!
Now you know the etiquette of handling parents at kids parties, you’re one step closer to throwing the best party ever. If you have any other questions about kids parties, or would like to book unforgettable entertainment to maximise your event’s fun-factor, get in touch with our friendly team and check out our party selection.
