Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

We're having a birthday party for DS at one of those trampoline centers.

They way the ticketing is setup is only the kids (or whoever has a ticket) is allowed on the trampolines. The parents will have to stay in the party room (closed room with no windows) or stay in the lobby area (you can see half of the trampolines).

If you go onto the trampoline area, then you'll be considered a participant and will be charged.

Is this something that we should mention in the invitation?
Or should we mention it after the people accept the invite?
Or is that sort of thing "implied" ? Like I heard most of these type of places is like that. Only the kids are in the play area while the parents are all congregated in the front - true?

Thank you
ps - has anyone ever used Costco for a party? (pizza) Will they have a problem with getting like 10 pies ready in the morning? (we plan on renting a car and going to Costo the night before to order a cake, and the morning of to get the cake and order the pizza)

Message edited 1/1/2023 11:21:26 PM.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

This all depends on how old your DS is. I'm not leaving my 5 year old out of my sight at a trampoline park. It's not happening. My 10 year old, maybe.

As far as Costco, I think they need more than the night before the party to get a cake ready. I'd order that a lot earlier and you can probably order the pizza too for pick up at a certain time.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

Yes, I would mention this. It also depends on the age, although older kids are even more silly sometimes and take bigger risks. Anything can happen in a second on a trampoline and if I were to send my child, I would probably like to keep an eye on them at a trampoline play area so I wouldn't want to be surprised the day if because my anxiety would get the best of me. If I knew before hand, I could make my own decision and be okay with it.
Edit to say, it may be helpful to mention how many staff members will be there watching over the kids, too. I mean they have parties so this is what they do and their goal is to keep the kids safe.

Message edited 1/2/2023 10:17:01 AM.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

I would definitely mention when sending invite that parents are not allowed in the trampoline area unless they buy a ticket. I have to agree with pp but depending on the age I wouldnt let my child out of my sight at a trampoline place. I have seen too many careless kids and staff at these type of places to trust anyone else.

Message edited 1/2/2023 10:23:40 AM.

Re: Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

Just a side note, are you sure you're allowed to bring your own pizza? most party places will make you order through them. I owned a party place and other than the cake no outside food was allowed.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

I don’t know if this is normal at most trampoline/bounce/indoor play places. I always have had the option of watching my kids bounce - and most places had benches near the trampolines to do so. The bouncers wear stickers to differentiate between the non bouncers.

I agree with Lulu - most of these places provide pizza. If this one doesn’t I would think it would be easiest to work with a nearby pizza place to have pizzas delivered as I’m thinking the ones you grab from Costco early in the day will likely be cold. Places that don’t provide food typically have a list of places that you can order from.

Message edited 1/2/2023 12:03:24 PM.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

I've never heard this being an issue at a trampoline play place. I know the parents are not allowed on the trampolines themselves but not be able to watch your kid without being charged an admission price is crazy.

I would definitely mention this rule. Also, can you tell me what trampoline park has this ridiculous rule?

Also, are you sure your allowed outside food? I know cake you can but food i would check that.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

I think there is some confusion here. Only guests are allowed on the trampolines. That is common place and not necessary to mention. Parents can not go on the trampolines because they are not guests. That is normal for most places as well. Parents are normally allowed to walk in all areas that are not "jumping" areas. If that is not the case, then I would clarify with the venue as that is not normal. I would check about brining in outside food though. Many places will allow a cake but not pizzas if they offer that service there.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

I think it depends on the ages of the kids. As an op said, I would not let a young kid on a trampoline unsupervised. I don’t even like leaving my 7 year old unsupervised at these things. You might want to put something about ticketing to dissuade siblings, though. I had a sibling show up at my DD’s party (the invitation clearly only had 1 kid’s name) and the mother would not back down on leaving the sibling there even though she was too young to be unsupervised and the owner said she had to reconfigure the space to accommodate.

As far as the food, I wouldn’t think to get pizza from Costco. IIRC, you live in the city. I would just order from your local pizzeria. I’m surprised so many places don’t allow outside food. The only place I’ve encountered this was white post. Everywhere else, on LI and in westchester, let me get pizza from wherever I wanted. In fact, all the party places up here don’t even provide food. You bring your own or you don’t have food (which happens more often than you’d think).

Re: Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

Why are you renting a car?

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

DS is turning 7

We are allowed to bring in our own food - the place does not provide any food.

The reason I thought about Costco pizza is because their pizza is $10 a pie vs $20ish a pie at a local pizzeria.
For 10 pies, its a difference of at least $100.

I'm renting a car because we don't have a car.

To clarify, its actually an obstacle gym place - I wanted to change some details to remain anonymous (with my luck the owner of the place is on here)
If you are not a paying guest you cannot go onto the floor, you have to remain in the lobby area. But from the lobby you cannot see the whole gym, you can see about half of it.
I haven't been there, but that is what my wife told me.

I assume the reason is because the whole gym floor is part of the activity, so there is nowhere on the gym floor that is not "part of the fun".
Thats why non-paying people are not allowed on the floor (I assume thats the reason)

Now, HOW should I phrase it?
"Be aware parents have to remain in the lobby area, if you go onto the gym floor then we'll be charge an extra $35 since you will be considered a attendee and not just the parent of one" (I think that sounds wacky)

Message edited 1/2/2023 8:02:07 PM.

Re: Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

If it is an obstacle gym, I guess there are lots of supervisors to make sure everything is ok with the party. I wouldn't put how much they would be charged, but I would make the parents aware of that. And I wouldn't give pizza, unless it is delivered right there from a local place (it is going to get cold). If you want to bring your own food, I'd give snacks, fruit, and mini sandwiches.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

How many kids are you inviting? 80 slices is a lot of pizza. What time is the party? If it’s in the morning you could consider bagels.

Are you sure they would count parents if they popped into the gym section occasionally? They can’t possibly think a grown adult checking on their kid is participating in “part of the fun.”

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

>> I wouldn't put how much they would be charged, but I would make the parents aware of that

So its not weird to write in the invite that they need to stay off the floors or else we would be charged?


>> How many kids are you inviting? 80 slices is a lot of pizza. What time is the party?

The party will be at 11:30am - so we'll have to provide lunch.
Our thought is at 11:30 we will have:
drinks and snacks (chips, granola bars, cookies) in the party room.
Then I'll come from Costco at noon with the pizza and the costco cake.

Here is my math:
Inviting 30 kids - assume 20 will show up.
Each kid eats 1-2 slices, we'll say 1.5 = 30 slices.
Assume 1 parent per kid (I eat at least 2 slices) so 20x2 = 40 slices
Thats 70 slices total.
10 pies = 80 slices. (don't want to run out of food)


>> Are you sure they would count parents if they popped into the gym section occasionally?

I did the initial call to the gym (5 minutes to get initial pricing) and they said that parents have to stay in the party room or in the lobby (the person said it has a partial view).
My wife visited the site and said the party room has no windows, so if you want to check on your kid you have to go to the lobby, and it doesnt show the whole floor.

We did not ask: "What if the parent just walks onto the floor to see if the kid is ok then walks off"

Re: Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

I think you’re overthinking this. I’ve been to gym parties where only the participants/kids are allowed in the gym area. If a kid needs their parents, the staff is good about either bringing the child out to the viewing area, or making an exception and allowing the child’s parent in. They just don’t want the whole party congregating in there.

As for pizza- I don’t think you’ll need nearly that much! Kids don’t eat much at birthday parties. They wanna be part of the action, and the the time given to eat is limited. If they eat 1 slice I’d say that’s a lot at a party, even if they’d usually eat 2. Usually you get the pies cut into 16ths for kids too. And even adults- sure you’ll get the occasional 2 slicer, but I’d say most moms eat 1 or say no thank you to any.

Re: Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

I would just mention parents can't be in the trampoline area without a paid ticket.

I think you can order less pizza and have it cut into 16ths.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

If its an obstacle gym place where you see part of the floor, I think thats ok and should be understood, especially since DS is turning 7. By that time most of the parties my kids were going to were drop off anyway.

Is it really worth renting the car for the $100 savings on pizza? It seems like a lot of legwork and effort. Also - I believe Costco pizzas arent the same size as pizzeria pizzas. I would just order from a local place and have them cut the slices in 16ths. We had a party where we had to order pizza from outside and had about 20 kids. We ordered 5 or 6 pizzas and had leftover. Most times parents dont eat.

Re: Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

Possible phrasing, ...... The gym does not allow parents to supervise their children during the party and will have (number) of assistants on hand to watch over them. You are welcome to stay in the party room while your child enjoys the birthday party fun and we will all enjoy pizza and cake together after their gym time.
I agree with delivery from a local pizza place. It will be very hectic for you to leave and return with pizza. I think you'll regret that decision. THe day is for you to enjoy, too. Also, agree with others, cut into 16th's for the kids.

Message edited 1/3/2023 10:21:29 AM.

Re: Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

>> I think you’re overthinking this

lol, I do that for everything :(


>> As for pizza- I don’t think you’ll need nearly that much!

Maybe...but I don't want to run out. Better to have extra and then offer it to the parents to take home.


>> Is it really worth renting the car for the $100 savings on pizza?

We'll also need the cake from Costco, but yeah, maybe we'll get the pizza from a local place.
I'm assuming we'll get gifts (although I'd prefer a gift card, lol) and the gym is not near us. We'd have to take the train for 30+ minutes to get there. So a car would be easier, although parking will be a pain.


>> Do you live in the city? How do you survive without a car on the island?

We're in Manhattan. Parking in the garage would be an extra $400+ a month


>> lpg21 / lima19 / nycbuslady

Thanks for the phrasing. I'll copy your ideas:
The gym only allows the children at the party to play on the equipment. Parents are invited to socialize in the party room or the lobby while the kids are playing. (should I mention the lobby doesnt offer a FULL view?)
There will be snacks available upon arrival and then a short gym period then pizza and cake together followed by another hour of gym time.


Thank you everyone!

Message edited 1/3/2023 12:58:05 PM.

Re: Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

>> Do you live in the city? How do you survive without a car on the island?

We're in Manhattan. Parking in the garage would be an extra $400+ a month


Ahhh ok

Re: Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

Just a small piece of advice. Have them cut the pizza into 16ths. Most kids at that age will only eat half a slice. If they want a full slice then you can give them the other half. I would budget for about 1 slice per person but I would definitely offer the parents pizza as well. About a quarter of the parents will accept a slice in my experience, which unfortunately is a lot. And if you need to cut and serve the pizza and cake yourself make sure to bring gloves.

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

>> And if you need to cut and serve the pizza and cake yourself make sure to bring gloves.

Thanks

Do we need to say this on a birthday invite?

Again, i've never heard of a Obstacle gym place that has a party room yet doesnt provide food to order from and doesn't allow parents to view their kids. Would loooovvee to know the name of this place. Sounds new.