Is It Weird If Both Parents Attend a Kid’s Party?

What’s the norm, and what works best for everyone involved?

You’ve received the party invite, your child is excited - but now you’re wondering, “do both parents go to birthday parties”

It’s a surprisingly common question, especially among new parents. There’s no official rulebook, but there are a few things to think about when deciding whether one or both parents should attend a child’s birthday party. Let’s break it down.

Yes, It's About Fine if Both Parents Attend

For many families, attending together is completely normal. Some reasons you might choose to both go include:

• It’s your child’s first party and you both want to be there to support them

• You’re friends with the party hosts or other parents attending

• You want to tag-team with one parent watching the younger siblings

• You genuinely enjoy attending as a family and want to be part of the experience

There’s nothing strange about showing up as a parenting duo - especially if you’re polite, helpful and aware of space.

When It Might Be Better to Just Send One Parent

That said, there are situations where sending one adult may be more appropriate or simply more practical.

• Venue space is limited and the host is trying to manage numbers

• The party is a “drop-off and go” style, where adults aren’t expected to stay

• Your child is old enough to feel comfortable without both parents nearby

• You want to free up one parent to run errands or take care of siblings elsewhere

If in doubt, check the invite. Some hosts will specifically mention whether parents are welcome to stay or not.

Consider the Host’s Perspective

From a host’s point of view, every extra adult means less space for children, more food or drink needed, and potentially more crowding.

If you’re unsure, a quick message to the host is always appreciated. You could say: “Would you prefer just one of us stays, or are both parents welcome?”

Most will be glad you asked and give you a clear answer.

Split the Duties if You Like

There’s no harm in swapping in and out. One parent could do drop-off and the other picks up. Or one stays while the other uses the time for errands, work or rest. It is all about what works best for your family and what’s most helpful to the hosts.

At Our Parties, Everyone’s Welcome

At Non Stop Kids Entertainment, our parties are built around making things easy and enjoyable for parents and magical for the kids. We know that some families love to stay and be part of the fun, while others prefer to leave it in our capable hands.

Whether one parent, both, or even the grandparents come along, our entertainers are used to adapting and making sure everyone feels welcome, without ever losing focus on the star of the day - your child.