If lots of your friends have kids, it’d be nice to have them at your wedding. Kids enjoy parties as much as we do, only they do so in a different way. Having a lot of kids at weddings means that you have to prepare some extra stuff. Sorry to disappoint you, but kids don’t care about elegant decorations and cake if they don’t have anything to play with.
In this article, we’ll share some tips and ideas for organizing a children-friendly wedding. Remember, proper preparation makes it easier for everyone, the kids as well as their parents.
Provide Their Favorite Food
Every parent knows that one of the most significant issues with children at weddings is that they just won’t eat adult food. Therefore, the essential thing when organizing a children-friendly wedding is to prepare a special menu for them. You can’t go wrong with finger food, as kids find it delicious and fun at the same time.
All kids love french fries, chicken nuggets, fish fingers, grilled cheese, etc. These may not be the healthiest food ever, but it’s a special occasion, and parents will probably be ok with that. Of course, make sure to provide a lot of fresh fruit – kids can’t resist a tasty fruit salad!
Moreover, it can be a good idea to ask every parent whether their kids have any food allergies so that you can avoid unpleasant situations.
The Kids’ Table
For a child, there’s something special about having their own table, where they can talk and play with friends without parents interrupting. If you have enough space, we suggest you set aside one table that will be reserved only for kids. While toddlers at weddings have to be near their parents, older kids would be glad to sit alone.
The kids’ table is an excellent idea because it makes them feel like grown-ups. They can both eat and play at the table. For more convenience, you can serve them food and drink on paper plates and in plastic cups. There’s going to be a lot of pouring and playing with food, so it may be a good idea to use a disposable table cloth.
Book an Additional Room Where They Can Rest
If you’re organizing a wedding in a hotel or resort, you’ve probably already booked a bridal suite. However, consider booking an additional room or two, as some kids will fall asleep, and others will need to rest. If you don’t do so, you risk having a bunch of tired kids in your room messing around with your clothes and make-up.
If your close friends have small kids, you need a kids’ room even more. When they get tired, parents can take turns watching them. If there’s no room where the kids can rest, some of your friends may be forced to go home earlier than they planned. The kids’ room is a solution both kids and adults will love.
Moreover, it’s also space where parents can change their kids’ clothes if they get dirty, or even wash them if it’s urgent. This happens more often than you might think, as kids are very active, and they can easily spill drinks on their clothes.
Provide Wedding-Themed Activity Sheets
You need something that will keep kids in wedding party mode entertained and calm. One of the most challenging moments is the wedding speech or the slow dance. Although kids think weddings are amazing, it’s hard to make them sit still and listen to long speeches. For little kids wedding ceremonies aren’t that interesting. You need to give them something to do!
Activity sheets are the best solution, as they never get boring. We suggest you look for wedding-themed coloring books, crosswords, as well as fun paper and pencil games. If there are kids of all ages, make sure you include different types of material so that everyone can find something interesting for themselves.
The best thing is that you can find tons of activity sheets online; you just have to download and print them. This may be the most cost-effective solution that can keep kids entertained for hours.
Hire a Professional Entertainer
If you want to organize an unforgettable wedding that kids will love, the best idea is to hire a professional entertainer. Only they know how to keep kids enthralled for hours. Moreover, parents will appreciate this, as they’ll have some free time to socialize with other adults, knowing that their kids are in good hands.
Some of the most popular options are to hire a magician, clown, or a balloon twister – you can’t go wrong with them! If you want to be even more original, you can hire a caricaturist. Funny portraits will not only make kids laugh, but they’ll also have a unique souvenir to take home.
The only downside may be that hiring a professional entertainer usually costs a lot. However, it can be one of the best investments, especially if there will be a lot of kids in attendance. It’s a game-changer that takes your wedding to the next level and makes things easier both for kids and their parents.
Kids’ Photobooth
If you can’t afford a professional entertainer, don’t worry. There are a lot of things you can do to make the day memorable. For example, a fun photo booth reserved only for children. You can hire a company to bring the booth itself, but you can also create your own.
All you need is a colorful background and some props that you can make out of cardboard: sunglasses, hats, mustaches, beards, etc. For even more fun, you can add some retro clothes. Girls love trying out vintage jewelry and pretending they’re princesses. The photo booth guarantees hours of fun and laughter.
Moreover, they’ll have lovely photos to remind them of the special day. You could also include them in some of the official wedding photos, and create memories that will always bring a smile to your face.
Organize Outdoor Games
Many people believe it’s hard to handle kids and weddings, but everything gets easier if the ceremony is outdoors. You have a lot of space to organize lawn games and outdoor activities. Of course, everything depends on the age of the kids, but all of them love to have fun outside.
If you want something memorable, you can organize a Treasure Hunt, but even a simple hide-and-seek game can keep them entertained for hours. Another benefit of outdoor weddings it that kids are less nervous. Many kids don’t like to stay indoors, and they quickly get bored. On the other hand, when they’re outside, they can run, jump, and have fun.
Consider Face Painting
One of the things you can’t go wrong with is face-painting! Kids and toddlers at weddings love this activity, as it allows them to act like they’re someone else. You can hire a professional, but you don’t need to. You probably have a creative friend or relative who likes to play with make-up. They could color the kids’ faces or paint cute bunny or cat faces.
Of course, you know your friends better than anyone else. Make sure you find someone who will see this as fun, not as a task that they have to do. After all, you want your guests of all ages to have a great time at your wedding.
Organize a Movie Night
You don’t often see the words movie and wedding in the same sentence, but kids at weddings require special treatment. It’s hard to keep them entertained for long hours, and a movie night can be a great way to spend an hour or two.
If there’s a garden, you can create an outdoor cinema. All you have to do is bring a lot of colorful cushions they can sit or lay out on. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also add a popcorn stand. Of course, make sure to pick a cartoon or a movie suitable for children. Even better, ask them what they would like to watch.
Kids at Weddings Want to Dance
If you don’t have enough space to do a special kids’ disco, that’s fine. However, you can always reserve one part of the room where kids can dance and have fun without adults interrupting. Of course, make sure parents can see what’s going on.
You can also talk to the kids you’re close to and ask them about their favorite songs. You can then surprise them by playing those songs and creating a special moment just for them. The kids will love it, and they’ll feel appreciated because adults often forget details like this.
It’s All About Preparation
When it comes to kids at weddings, the most important thing is to prepare everything in advance. You need to have an ace up your sleeve, whether it’s an activity sheet or a magician coming after dinner. Organizing everything in advance will help you have peace of mind. The last thing you need is to stress out about details on your special day.
Of course, you don’t have to use all ideas we mentioned. But they can serve as inspiration. Remember, your friends and family will appreciate anything you do to make their kids feel welcome at your party.
