Some couples ask that guests not bring their children to a wedding; others insist that everyone should come. However, if you choose to invite children, how you keep them entertained is an important question to answer beforehand. Children have short attention spans, and they get bored very quickly. You need to make sure that the little ones have plenty to do so they can have a memorable day too! The secret to happy kids at weddings is having plenty of activities for them to enjoy.
Here we have some great tips to ensure that the younger guests at your wedding have a fantastic time.
Entertainment and Amusements
Having entertainment for children at your wedding will make life a whole lot easier. You don’t have to spend a fortune on it; you could set up a movie room in a quiet area, put down a few bean bags, soft cushions and pillows and put a movie on for them. You could even hand out mini bags of popcorn too.
Have a kids table where there are board games, activity books, play-dough and crafty activities for them to do. Face painting is always popular entertainment for kids, as are disposable cameras for them to take photos. If your budget allows, hire a professional minder to look after the children, so parents can relax knowing their kids are being cared for.
You could consider hiring a children’s entertainer such as a magician and clown. The children will love it and will be great fun for them, keeping them entertained.
Lots of Goodies
Hand out goodie bags to your little guests, filling them with lovely things to keep them busy. You could include sweets such as gummy bears and marshmallows, and these are ideal as they will not stain clothes. Steer clear of anything that could be a choking hazard. Add items such as a bottle of bubbles, stickers, puzzles, colouring books and crayons.
Wedding Ideas Magazine asked an expert’s advice on keeping kids happy at a wedding. Peter of Twizzle Parties says:
“Children are usually hungry and thirsty after the service, so feed them soon afterwards. No matter how amusing you think the best man is being, kids will fidget, so it’s a good idea to provide some sort of entertainment during the speeches, too. You’ll also need a back-up plan, just in case of wet weather. If you’re booking an entertainer let them know what to expect. If there are 30 children with accompanying parents, he’ll probably want to bring a PA system. If you’re playing party games, do that first, while the official photographs are being taken and let the youngsters work off some energy.”
Down Time
When things get a bit too much for young children, having a relaxing area for them to take time out will be welcomed by parents. Create a lovely calming atmosphere for the children to take a nap. Is there a quiet room available at your venue for this? Have some story books available, play relaxing music for them to listen to, and use some soft lighting. It will be great for winding down young guests before bedtime.
