Kids at the Wedding: How to Keep Them Busy

by Betsy Goldberg, Posted Aug 10th 2010 3:00PM

There's nothing cuter than little ones at a wedding ... unless, of course, they're bored and acting out. Here's how to make sure your youngest guests have fun and stay tantrum-free.

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Entertainment for Kids at the Wedding

Ideally, you'll want to give the little ones their own area at the reception so they feel comfortable and included. It can be as simple as a corner kids' table or as elaborate as a "tent for tots" filled with playthings. If possible, hire a babysitter or two to oversee the youngsters; this way, all of your adult guests can fully enjoy the party without worrying about toddlers gone wild.

If you do bring in sitters, let the parents know ahead of time that you've made these arrangements so that they can tell their little ones what to expect (and feel more at ease about bringing them).

Entertainment for Kids at the Wedding

To whet their appetites for a fun party, top the kids' table with accents they'll love, such as miniature versions of Magna Doodles, action figures, small stuffed animals or toy cars and trains. Add kid-friendly dinnerware, like polka-dot or character-themed plates, utensils and swirly straws. You can also personalize their place settings by adding notepads printed with their names or yo-yos painted with their first initials.

For the menu, think kicked-up kiddie cuisine: two-bite burgers on brioche buns, chicken "lollipops," individual pizzas or phyllo cups of mac and cheese. Serve Shirley Temples, fresh-squeezed juices or mini milkshakes, or have lemonade and fruit punch poured from glass pitchers.

Entertainment for Kids at the Wedding

Keep the kids busy with a stack of board games for all ages (Candyland to checkers) or an arts-and-crafts area, where they can bead bracelets and decorate treasure boxes. For more-elaborate entertainment options, consider carnival-style games like toss the beanbag or a screening of Shrek or Madagascar in a kiddie-style lounge area (with beanbags or cushy floor pillows). If your wedding is taking place outdoors, take advantage of the setting by arranging tractor-pulled hayrides or an expert-led nature walk.

Entertainment for Kids at the Wedding

Dessert is naturally a highlight for little ones, but they're not so interested in crème brûlée or even wedding cake. Cater to their palates with a colorful, frosted cookie cake for the table or brownie sundaes for each guest. Or go interactive with a make-your-own dessert station, such as a candy bar stocked with their favorite treats or a kids-only chocolate fountain.

Entertainment for Kids at the Wedding

Keep the little ones placated until the very end by giving them fun farewell gifts toward the close of your party. For a garden wedding, think personalized watering cans or seed-planting kits; for a seaside affair, consider pails filled with sand toys or monogrammed tote bags containing sunglasses and inflatable beach balls; and for a winter celebration, go with gingerbread or snowman-making kits.

Favors seen here: Beach-theme keepsake from beau-coup.com, Cookie Cutters from Dancing Deer, Watering Can from beau-coup.com

Entertainment for Kids at the Wedding

Tags: kids, wedding favors, wedding guests