Goody bag for kids?

Question

I've got a handful of kids coming to my wedding. Most are well behaved, a couple I have worries about. So I've actually thought about ways to keep them busy. I mean lets face it, weddings can be boring for adults, I couldn't imagine being 5 & having to sit through one. So I thought about making little goody bags for kids, stuff to keep them entertained during the wedding so they are more likely to at least sit somewhat still.

Have you ever seen this done? Any suggestions as to what I can put in them? Only thing I can come up with are crayons & a coloring book. Any other ideas? All the kids coming are under 5, the youngest is a nephew who is almost 2.

Wanted to mention there isn't anywhere to put the kids & the sitter. Even if there were, most parents would refuse to let the kids go into the room with a stranger. Plus, my fiance' wouldn't like his nephew not at the actual reception & if we keep the 2 year old we should keep the 5 year olds around, too. :)

Answer 1

I used to be a wedding coordinator. We loved to put butcher paper on the kids tables and let them color the table-cloth! Also, little stuffed animals are fun with the younger crowd. If your facility allows, have a little kids area with blankets and pillows-- the parents will love you for not making them leave early when nap time comes! You've all ready mentioned the most popular option (with brides and the kids)-- coloring books!!

Answer 2

Set up a small table for the kids not "in the middle of it all" but near enough that the parents can be right there, but not miss the reception. Also, try getting some age appropriate toys (since there are not that many coming according to your question) in this same area. The kids can take them home afterwards or you can donate them to a children's hospital or children's ward. Along with the coloring books and crayons, the kids should be entertained.
It also helps to have kid friendly food (nuggets, finger foods, etc) for the kids. Most of the kids I know that are 2-5 years old don't want to eat a glazed chicken breast or prime rib.
Hope this helps.

Answer 3

For the actual wedding ceremony yes you can do a little bag that has a coloring book and some crayons or something. You could also check into have an actual babysitter during the ceremony. Usually there is a room that is not being used that you can set up babysitting for the time of the ceremony. Check in your local area for people that babysit and pay them like 50 bucks for 2 hours. It is what you would spend to put together the bags.

Answer 4

Seriously reconsider the goody bags. These kids know they're supposed to be quiet (though they might not be) because everyone else is quiet. But once you give them toys to distract them, they're going to get loud because they're in "play mode" and not "quiet mode." Also, toys like crayons can easily get mushed into carpeting and used on pews, and those are cleaning expenses you will be responsible for. The kids will be fine just sitting there. They'll fidget, but they'll do it more quietly if they don't have toys.

EDIT: I assumed you were talking about at the ceremony. At the reception, you could have a play table, but the warning about the crayons still holds true. I had a wedding with kids there, and the kids were really fine without a toy table. They run around after each other, dance, and make up ways to entertain themselves. Really, that's what kids do. If they're bored, they make up entertainment. It's good for them.

Answer 5

we had crayons and an activity book at the reception tables for the kids as well as an edible colorable cookie from foodoodler.com...we had them personalized and they were a hit with the adults as well...during the ceremony we didn't seem to notice whether the kids fussed because it was a pretty big space and i believe there was a room with a large window so a parent could bring a fussy child without missing what was going on.

Answer 6

Go to the a "every thing's a dollar" type store and just load up..coloring books, picture books, small cars. maybe some of that Crayola clay, it's more like modeling clay then playdoh...for the girls the fake barbies..I love those "dollar" places they have fun stuff! For the reception what about bubbles..Wal-Mart had big bottles for a dollar..balloons are always fun for kids to play with too. maybe during the reception have a teenager play games with them there in the same room.

Good Luck

Answer 7

I think this is a really good idea, and I may borrow it from you! ;) I think that for the ceremony a coloring book, crayons, and maybe a small snack would be good (pretzels, fruit, fruit snacks). Maybe some little toys or small party favor items for a reception goody bag.