The topic of inviting children to a wedding is still very much debated. Some couples are completely against the idea, whilst others are more than willing to invite children to be a part of their big day. Often, the dilemma comes from couples wanting to make sure that their family and friends are part of their special day, but are scared of the crying, tantrums and mess that often accompany children.
Photo by adventuretheory Phelps on Reshot
Should you decide to invite young guests to your wedding, then it is best for both you and them that there are activities and distractions on hand to keep them occupied during the day. Whether it’s simply keeping little ones quiet during your wedding ceremony or giving parents time to enjoy the day themselves, happy children make wonderful wedding guests. Remember, unhappy children=unhappy parents.
Adding some activities to your day doesn’t need to cost copious amounts so, whether you have some flower girls to keep entertained or have a whole range of different age groups coming to your wedding, here are 4 ways that you can keep children entertained at a wedding.
Children’s Tea Party
Very rarely, the food at a wedding is catered to suit the likes of every guest, let alone children. But, having kid-friendly food at a wedding is one easy way to make sure that you don’t have grouchy children kicking up a fuss.
Try to make it as fun and child-appropriate as you can for those that are attending. For example, you could always throw them their own wedding tea party, complete with finger sandwiches, potato chips, fruit and sweets. This will keep them full for the afternoon and they’re bound to enjoy the novelty of it all!
Treasure Hunt
Whether you’re the happy couple or a guest, setting up a treasure hunt for kids to enjoy is bound to be a winner. Children love the idea and fun of a treasure hunt, particularly if there is a prize to be won at the end.
Provide children with a list of items, guests or things they must find and hide clues around the venue, giving them instructions on where to go. Another fun little idea is to give them their own disposable camera and a list of photo opportunities that they need to find, whether it be the first dance or the wedding cake. Once they’ve completed it, you can then print out the photos and stick into a memory book for them to keep.
Arts and Crafts
A budget-friendly crowd-pleaser, an arts and crafts table set up in the corner of your venue is a great way to keep kids entertained during speeches or the ceremony itself. Cover a table in brown paper and let them doodle away with pens, pencils and stickers. Avoid things such as paints or felt tips – you don’t want to risk ruining girl’s designer dresses, boys shirts or getting paint splodges on your dress. For slightly older children, you could also put simple origami instructions and folding paper on there, or word search games.
Make The Most Of The Outdoors
If you’re planning on hosting some of your special day outdoors, weather permitting, of course, then a great way to get people mingling and chatting is with the help of some fun outdoor games. Whether it forms part of your drinks reception or you want a space where guests can lounge in the evening, having some games at hand is a great way to put people at ease and means that children can have fun whilst parents chat and have fun themselves.
Garden-size Jenga, Connect4 and Snakes and Ladders are classics, but you could even go as far as getting a piñata or some fairground style game stalls. Outdoor games are fun and budget-friendly, or you could even make them yourselves.
About the Author
Natalie Wilson is a freelance wellness and lifestyle writer. She loves researching and writing about new wellness trends and topics, as well as keeping up to date with the latest news. When not writing, you can find her taking long walks in the countryside with her dog or browsing her nearest bookstore. You can connect with her on Twitter @NatWilson976.
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