I am a mother of a 2 year old. I love Children. I am having a small casual get together after a private wedding ceremony. Not even big enough or fancy enough to call it a reception. But I want all my girlfriends to bring their Children since they are all friends with my daughter and this is her day too. I need some ideas on how we can include my daughter and to keep the other children occupied. The only thing I've come up with is Crayons/coloring books. And for my daughter to help us open our gifts. But this isn't good enough for me. lolol. I need more Ideas please. Thank you.
2006-12-27 01:39:37 · 18 answers · asked by from me to you 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
It's at a tiny community center. And it's gonna be like a Jeans and T-shirt kind of affair. Nothing big or fancy, no DJ"S just some home made food and opening gifts.
2006-12-27 02:27:37 · update #1
In addition to the crayons and coloring books, make little gift type bags for each of the children. For my sisters wedding we were expecting 8 children under the age of 6. We went to the dollar store and got all sorts of little goodies for each of the kids. We put bubbles, tiara's, sunglasses, and games in each of them. We also had them at their own table with "fancy" glasses and had the waiters treat them like they were grown ups. Later in the night we had the DJ play a selection of kid type songs, the Hokey Pokey, the bunny hop, etc... by the time the reception was over most of them were asleep underneath the table and had to be carried out of the hall by their parents!
2006-12-27 02:02:17 · answer #1 · answered by sommerluvn77 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my first answer is to rent a bounce house but I have been to a few weddings like this over the years and grew up in the area. I know receptions like this don't last very long, usually just a few hours because there is mostly family involved and it isn't really a big party scene. am I right so far?
try gathering some party games and some small door prizes for the kids and adults. it will keep everyone involved and amused but it may seem more like a kids birthday party rather than a wedding celebration.
you may consider expanding the reception budget.
2006-12-27 07:14:04 · answer #2 · answered by lowIQ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, opening gifts at the reception is a bad idea...not only will it make a huge mess, but you don't want to lose anything. Having her help open things at home is fine, but spend that time with your friends and family...
As for the children, you might want to look in to hiring a few sitters and some entertainment, maybe a clown or balloon artist...just to keep the kids occupied. Let the adults have their fun!
2006-12-27 06:21:53 · answer #3 · answered by VAWeddingSpecialist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once when we went to a wedding reception, there was a kids' pack at the table where you sign the guest book. It was in a giant ziplock bag, but you could also use a cheap tote bag or something. There was a little "fake" carebears kind of stuffed animal, coloring pages and crayons, some chocolate suckers - and you could also add other stuff there, for example, bubbles. My son, who is now 15, always remembers this - he was probably about 4.
2006-12-27 10:54:58 · answer #4 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put out things like Play-doh. Its a little messy...but everyone loves it. I've also seen great success with allowing the kids to karaoke--you can do this with your DJ or with a small karaoke machine (you can even rent them). The kids can "dedicate" songs to the new bride and groom and provide your entertainment for the rest of the guests. To help entertain the other kids while you and your little girl are opening presents, give them bingo cards with different gifts written in the squares. Then when you open a matching gift, they cross-out the square. Then as each kid gets 5 in a row, they yell BINGO and you give them a small prize. This will keep them interested in the gift giving...and a bit quieter.
2006-12-27 02:06:53 · answer #5 · answered by Heather 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I got married, My now wife and I had a 2 1/2 year old son, this is what we did.......
#1 After a long interviewing process we hired a baby sitter to watch him, and other children, in a seperate room from the reception.
#2 in that room was everything a kid could want, Jungle gym, boucey castle, toys, everything
#3 we set up a kids only table at the reception hall, and let them eat and drink whatever they wanted
#4 by 9:00 my mother brought our son to her house to go to sleep, and the other parents did the same (my mom watched them over night, cause she doesn't drink and loves children)
#5 we partied untill about midnight, We went to a hotel to leave for our honeymoon the next day w/o our son, (my mom watched him all week), the other parents slept it off at there place of choice and picked up there kids by 11am the next morning
It worked out fantastic!!!
2006-12-27 01:53:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have some different craft thing there for the kids to do. Let them make beaded necklaces, you can get all sizes of beads. Also, you can have little games set up at a couple different tables. Also, why dont you have some time where the grown ups and the kids all play short simple games..you could have a ball toss going. The best thing to keep the occupied is making sure there are plenty of little things for them to do. As far as including your daughter, having her there is including her, although, interacting with her will include her.
2006-12-27 02:27:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't say if you are having a band -- if you are (this was a huge hit at our reception), the dj had brought blow up guitars, pianos, saxophone, etc. and the kids just ran around the dance floor before the music started, playing with the toys.
Another thought would be to hire a couple of people and have them initaite games with the kids. Pin the tail on the donkey, twister, etc.
2006-12-27 01:44:53 · answer #8 · answered by Jo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kids LOVE to dance. Set up an area where you can have a couple mix CDs on for them to dance to. Include them in as much as you can.
I know these sound CRAZY! but look what my reference is ...
When they do the toast, let the kids talk if they want.
Have the kids bring the presents to you.. IE.. Sara's daughter brings you the gift from Sara, but she hands it to your daughter then the two of them open it then give it to you and your husband
Get lots of LARGE cupcakes, bags of frosting, and other edible decorations for the cakes. Let each child (and some of the older kids lol) decorate their own wedding cake. You can find good decorations at some dollar stores for the toppers.
2006-12-27 17:10:00 · answer #9 · answered by Texas Tiger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like you said, it is about your daughter too but she will probably feel more special if she is the only child there...I mean think about it..it is your day too, don't forget that. The last thing I would want is a bunch of kids running around and having to keeping an eye on them at all times....
Really, it is about the three of you, she will be fine on her own, that is the way I did it and my daughter loved all the attention..just my opinion...good luck and have a happy life!!!!
2006-12-27 01:45:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋