Long-tail
Fair Split Rules When Kids and Alcohol Are Both Involved
The issue is rarely the exact number. People mainly want to know the rule was thoughtful. Weighted shared costs plus separate drinker costs is usually enough.
February 28, 20264 min read
split bill with kidsalcohol separate splitfamily potluck split
Split shared costs first
Shared food and drinks should be handled with a weighted adult/child ratio.
That keeps the core bill fair before any exceptions are added.
Then handle drinker-only costs as a second layer
Alcohol and related extras should be split only among the people who used them.
Keeping that layer separate makes the final explanation easier.
Frequently asked questions
What if a child barely ate anything?
Use a lower ratio or waive the share entirely for that case. Consistency matters, but clarity matters more.
Use weighted rules before the party starts
A shared event page makes it easier to explain the exact rule before everyone pays.