Hellobee Boards

I think it would be a nice gesture but if you can't afford it then it's a moot point.

@ZombieBullfrogHoller: I think just giving tickets to the kids is fine.

@ZombieBullfrogHoller: can you talk with staff at the amusement park about giving you some kind of discount on the tickets? Otherwise I'm like you, it would never occur to me to buy everybody ride tickets!

I would see if you could maybe get a group discount price to give just the kids some tickets. Parents want some or kids want more their parents can pay. Alternatively, can you have your party at another free place with free entertainment like at a local park maybe?

Is this maybe more regional? I would never expect the host of a birthday party to pay for our ride tickets or really anything beyond providing something to eat. I ESPECIALLY would not want them to provide something that was a strain financially, I would feel awkward. I say do what you can easily manage financially and don't spend a second feeling bad that it's not "enough," people are there to celebrate your child, not receive something in return. But I feel the same way about party favors.

Meh I don't think it's necessary at all. In fact, if I knew the host was tight on money to pay rent and buy food, I would feel guilty. Priorities. Don't forget them

If you're hosting a party at an amusement park, I do feel that as the host it's your responsibility to provide the kids with some tickets - sorry! Particularly when you're not paying anything for the pavilion or any sort of entrance fee. I don't think everyone needs a ticket booklet, it seems that one per family would suffice, or you could just buy them for the kids. If you can't afford to do that I would just have it at a regular park.

For me, the $5 wouldn't be a big deal - but I know that wouldn't be the case for all of my friends and family, and I would hate for anyone to have to decline, or attend and their kid not be able to do rides while all of the others are having fun on them, because money is tight for their family.

@ZombieBullfrogHoller: If I were coming I would NOT be expected to be presented with tickets for rides. I'm coming to celebrate your child's birthday; not get free rides to the amusement park.

If it's not in the budget then don't provide ticket booklets.

If I have a party at home am I expected to rent a bounce house and hire a balloon artist, etc?
The only birthday parties wehre I have attended where this is PAID entertainment provided or specific entertainment like that are for older kids. It's a first birthday party!

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Interesting. I can understand providing entertainment. I personally just consider it more of an "extra" to the event and wouldn't want a friend or family member to stretch themselves financially for my sake, whether I was aware it was a stretch or not. I also wouldn't want someone to not have a party because they can't avoid additional activities. Maybe I'll have different views and experiences as my daughter gets older, but I also live in an area where most people are just struggling to live paycheck to paycheck, so parties tend to be more backyard affairs and people/kids entertain each other. Maybe not a regional difference as much as a socioeconomic difference.

@locavore_mama: "If I have a party at home am I expected to rent a bounce house and hire a balloon artist, etc?"

No, of course not...but if you did get a bounce house or a balloon artist, you wouldn't be charging the kids for it, right? That's how I see this.

for a bday party as you described I would not expect to have tickets given to me at the party!

bring some bubbles for the kids to play with, and if older kids want to try a ride, their parents can buy them a ticket.

if I were presented with free tickets at a party like this I'd definitely be surprised and it would be a fun extra, that's all!

I wouldn't mind paying my own way but it would be nice to have a heads up beforehand, either on the invite or through word of mouth. Just like, I'm totally cool with cash bars at a wedding but like to know in advance so I can have cash on hand.

This is a tough one, I mean, I'd accept tickets if you handed them to me, but I'd also be fine with paying for them if my son insisted on going on a ride or playing a game.

eta: if this was me, having a party at this location, I'd have bought tickets for the kids only.

I think you are fine not buying tickets. If it was a second grade party that was really for the kids that would be different. But if I was bringing an older kid to a first birthday party I wouldn't expect the host to entertain them. I feel like first birthday parties are more about the parents surviving the first year!