Kiddie Activities...?

Question

So at reception they'll be a good handful of kids...I know a lot of them will like to dance and what not, but I am thinking about putting together a kids activity table and giving the kids a gift bag of things to do.

My question is, first of all, do you think this is a good idea? If not do you have any alternative suggestions? Secondly, what should I put in their gift bags? Some helpful ideas would be great!

Thanks in advance!!

Answer 1

A kids table is a new thing for weddings. I am thinking about doing it for mine if I found out for sure there will be alot of kiddos coming. I have seen done a table with white paper like they have in schools tapped to the table with a basket of colors so they can color and not fight over coloring books. They also had a small bucket of legos, some hot wheel cars, and some bubbles. The parents were told there would be a table and they could bring a favorite small toy. Some brought action figures while others brought a small doll. Its enough to keep them busy but not to much to make a mess or would be loud. Maybe have some pretzels, crackers and juice that they would enjoy to snack on rather then what your having.
Good luck!

Answer 2

I'm doing this too!
The only suggestions I have have are not to put anything that can potentially be messy
no glue, paints, play-doh, glitters
Try going to the craft store and picking up some foam stickers and foam crafts to decorate, you can get anything from door knob hangars to special crafts for the nearest holiday (easter eggs, christmas trees) these are fun for the kids and they are a neater craft. Also check oriental trading.com for crafts ideas, but be aware that you dont want any crafts that involve glue, be sure they are all self sticking.

Put out some kid friendlier foods, like popcorn and pretzels (steer clear of cheesy snacks like doritos and cheetos because the cheese tends to get on their hands and they'll be in fancier clothes) Maybe some card games like memory and uno, maybe a few small puzzles and you should be good. Also, I would suggest that instead of a fancy centerpiece, which could be knocked over and ruined, to put a bunch of balloons instead. This way the kids know that its the kids table and will know where to find it because no matter where they are in the room they just have to walk towards the balloons.

Good luck and great idea!

Answer 3

Actually, at my wedding, we had seperate favor bags for the kids. We made some for the girls, and some for the boys. They had candy, little toys and bubbles in each. They were a huge hit. The kids LOVED them and had a grea time showing each other what they got in their bags. We made them out of the same stuff we made the regular favor bags out of, just with diffrent things inside. I didn't even think of the activity table though. I think that is a wonderful idea. Maybe put a few boxes of crayons and some coloring books on the table. Maybe you could even make the table cloth like a paper thing so the kids can color and decorate that.

Answer 4

This is a great idea but, make sure putting the kids at the table is okay with the parents some kids don't do well in big rooms separated from their parents.
I gave the kids bubbles(would not suggest this the dance floor got yukky)They also got crayons and a special book we made with a couple colour pages (One was a shrek and Fiona kissing page) Just google free kids colouring pages and a bunch of sites will come up. We also put a few kids sudokus in the book(I'm a big sudoku fan). I goggled free make your own crossword puzzles and one came up that you make your own clues and answers. For example What color is the Maid of Honours dress? We had a table for kids age 7 and up then we left a bunch on tables were we knew kids would be sitting .We also had a bunch of stickers for them. Make sure to make extras adults pocketed them too.

Answer 5

I think it is an awesome idea. I just went to a wedding that had a kids table and the hotel had dinnerware just for them and take home cups for them. I think the coloring books and crayons are a great idea but remember older kids will not like this. You can get different card games at the doller store also like old maid and go fish. That would be good to put in the good bags. I think having the dj play a few songs for them also is a good idea. Kids do love to dance and it is fun to watch them. Maybe like the hokey pokey and there are tons of songs you can download like dora the explorer club remix which my little ones love to dance to and Veggie tales, Spongebob songs are good to download to. I think it is great you are working to include the kids. Been to alot of weddings and my kids hate them because they are bored.

Answer 6

throw in some extra bubbles and some arts an crafts things you can find some cool things at http://www.rinovelty.com/ or http://orientaltrading.com/ also do a scavenger hunt are you able to rent a bouncer ( a big air thing that you jump in) can you designate a area for a tv an vcr for the kids to watch movies also let them help out with passing party favors an with the craft thing my sister made each kid that was at the wedding reception 8 in total draw on little sheets of fabric an made it into her wedding quilt with all the kids drawings an some pics of them just to make them feel a little more important in there big day

an in there gift bags go to a dollar store an get some decks of cards an things like that you can also just put in all there craft type things in there own personal bags an let them sit together at one big ol table that way they are not always traveling across the room to try to talk they are right next to eachother the entire time

Answer 7

I think it would be cool to do that, I thought about getting a table together with colorin books and crayons and all, but then I got scared and thought they mite color on the walls at the reception site which wouldn't go over well, so I nixed it...what about playdough and that sort of thing, go down the party aisle at wal-mart and look at the kiddy party favors and see if you can find some safe little games they could play, come to think of it---I might go scope it out this afternoon!

Answer 8

Depending on the age of some of the kids, I know you can get blowing-bubbles wedding favors that are created 'specially for unique occasions. It'll be fun for them to blow bubbles, say, as you guys are leaving, or dancing together with your parents? Unless you're afraid of having bubbles obsure photos.

Otherwise, colouring activities and small, not-too-sugary treats are a good way to go. Someone above me mentioned stickers. OH, yes. Stickers are so much fun!

Why not give them a black and white wedding scene for them to colour in and give to you to put in the album? It'll be fun to look back on how the kids saw your wedding.

Answer 9

You really don't have to plan anything special. However, my son appreciated when at one wedding we went to, at the guest book table, kids were given a big ziplock bag with a little care bear, coloring pages, crayons, etc. It really helped later when he was tired out from having dancing fun, etc. We were at another wedding where a woman did balloon animals and cool hats (even the grownups loved this) - but she was a family friend, so they didn't have to "hire" her, just pay for the balloons.

Answer 10

We used a separate room a nd hired 3 sitters. Had a VCR for movies (kiddie version) crayons, books, play dough. We had the music piped into their room and they had their own little reception. Also included great snack food for kids. They loved it, the parents loved it!!!!!