Kids' activities?

Question

Okay, so I know a lot of you don't like it when kids go to weddings...That is not what this question is about, so please don't tell me that they shouldn't be there.

We're talking about my daughter's wedding here...She is very family oriented, and as the first of her generation, she has a lot of young cousins. In addition, she works as a nanny, so the kids she sees every day are very important to her, and she wants to have all of them come to the wedding.

Our current plan is to have a corner of the reception hall dedicated to kids activities...All of the kids will have complete access to their parents, and their parents will WHOLEHEARTEDLY be expected to ensure their kids are behaving appropriately.

That said, what games/activities should we include for them? I'm thinking "Pin The Veil On The Bride" could be fun...is that too weird? We'll probably also have some coloring available, as well as a few age appropriate board games. Any other suggestions?

Excellent suggesion, Smerk! I can see them now! Every time someone says, "kiss", they'll take a shot of lemonade!!

I should have added that this will be an evening event, and that we most definitely have plans to have a teenager or two there to supervise and help keep things moving.

Answer 1

Love this idea! As a mom of 2 little ones I can give you some tips

Dont do anything messy, play-dough, silly puddy, modeling clay can all stain, they arent a good mix for kids who will be in nice clothes. It also can get ground into carpent and linens, so be aware of that. Dont do glitters, magic markers or glue crafts, thats just asking for messy trouble. The crayola wonder markers are fantastic, but they are quite expensive, especially the paper, if you can afford them, I highly recommend, but if you cant stick with crayons, they will be the least messy.

If you do snacks like doritos or candy be sure to put a couple of packs of wet wipes on the table, the moms will appreciate not having to carry a kid to the bathroom to clean-up, if the wipes are on the table its an easy fix and the moms will appreciate it. Also, I love the game idea you have, but you will have to have a teenager or grown-up supervise it, you cant count on the kids running the game themselves, they wont be able to do it, so unless you have someone that is willing to run the game, dont even put it out, it will be too tempting and just illicit fighting.
Board games, stick with stuff like Trouble and candyland, they are easy for kids to play. Try some small puzzles too and card games like Old Maid and Crazy 8s.

Good luck! I know I would appreciate a table like this for my little ones!

Answer 2

I think you've got some great ideas, there! Occupied kids are kids that aren't getting into trouble.

Pin the Veil on the Bride sounds like a blast. Can I play, too?

If there's an outdoor place where they can play with them, bubble wands are always great fun. Some of the adults would also probably enjoy them.

If you've got a large number of very small children coming, it might not be a bad idea to have a couple big floor pillows and a quilt or two in case some of them just plain fall asleep. A couple teddy bears or other soft toys seldom go amiss with the little ones.

You may well find that a couple of the older children take over babysitting duties, but it's also a good idea to have an adult specifically watching out to make sure everything's under control.

Kids can really be fun at weddings. In fact, one of my favorite memories from my own wedding is the group of kids that started playing Ring Around a Rosie at the reception. They were having a terrific time being kids, and the photographer got a wonderful shot of it. So don't be surprised if the kids find a lot of appropriate ways to entertain themselves.

Still, I think it's a great idea to have some goodies on hand in case any of them need a little help finding something to do that isn't disruptive or potentially disastrous.

Your daughter's upcoming wedding sounds great. I wish all joy to her and her intended.

Answer 3

I think it's great that you're not excluding the kids. Here's what we've done at weddings:

Snack table! We made sure that right away, there were kid-friendly snacks available at all times. Goldfish, pretzels, veggies & dip, the kids eat it up. Hungry kids will turn on you! I suggest water, not punch. Too much sugar and they'll bounce off everything in sight. If you must have soemthing red, try something low in sugar. They won't care, they just see the color.

Aside from the snack table consider having kid friendly food. Many brides order chicken nuggets & fries or something like that for the kids. That way mom doesn't spend 20 minutes scraping off that expensive lemon caper sauce and pushing the veggies of unknown origin as far away from the child as possible just to get the kid to eat a tablespoon of something that didn't touch the sauce or the veggies... and it usually doesn't costs $35 a plate :-) We also usually ask that the kids food come out first.

The crafts - We've done many, but the all time favorite is plain paper and crayons. If you do anything that needs to be glued, get liquid or you're just asking for it. Anything with scissors, even safety scissors must be constantly monitored. Have your teens keep them in a box up high until they're needed and then put them back up immediately. Leave them out for 5 seconds and I guarantee you little Billy will cut little Suzy's hair.

Dancing & games - the DJ can help you IMMENSELY here. Talk to him/her at least 2-3 weeks in advance to make sure they will have the selection you ask for. Kids LOVE the YMCA, hokey pokey, etc. You can play musical chairs with the help of your teenagers, whatever you want! If you had the kids food come out first? The kids can be playing these games while the grown-ups eat in peace. Some DJ's have tons of game suggestions, most will be open to whatever you suggest. Go for it! Pin the veil works, why not!

Congratulations and have fun!!!!!!!

Answer 4

I think you should set up a lounge area for them! Have the kiddie table covered in butcher paper (they don't get yelled at for drawing on it) and give them the goodie bags with playdough, crayons, coloring pages, a stuffed animal, etc. For a centerpiece borrow a bunch of age friendly board games from their parents that they love and make a little tower of them with a few balloons.

Around the table you can put piles of beanbags or pillows from the backs of couches. Cover it with a sheet or fabric in the wedding colors. Borrow a TV and a DVD player or use your own and hook it up in the corner with some movies and let them have something like a Shrek marathon during the reception.

I had one I went to where the bride a a few hundred leftover in her budget so she rented the kids a bounce house....it was a huge hit with the kids and even some of the adults after a few drinks.

Answer 5

I love when weddings have a childrens table with coloring books, crayons, small toys and favors on them! A candy toss is a nice way to actually include the kids into the receiption. Before the garter and boquet, have all the kids under 10 join them on the floor, then they take a bucket full of small toys, suckers, and the such and toss them! It keeps the kids busy, and once they have all of their items, it keeps them from getting trampled during the adult festivities!

Answer 6

We did goodie bags at my daughter's wedding with coloring books, crayons, playing cards (like old maid and snap), word search puzzles, different little toys, candies, baloons, etc. The kids absolutely loved it and it kept them all busy during the wedding reception.

Pin the Veil on the Bride sounds like a really fun activity, very cute idea!

Answer 7

First of all I think this is a very innovative way to involve parents and their children in the wedding.

Kids of many ages love stickers - you can offer a large poster board or area where children can apply stickers.

Crayola Color Wonders will not mark clothing or skin - they have a wide variety of paint sticks, markers, pens so children can color or draw. You could offer easels or paper for children to create a mural or random drawing(s).

I am sure you will receive some incredible suggestions on activities.

Good luck and congrats to your daughter and her groom ~

Answer 8

I'm one of these in total agreement with having children of all ages at weddings! They are indeed family occasions. I'm a teacher, so had LOTS of children at my wedding - past students, as well as lots of kids from family and friends.
For our wedding, the kids just had a blast getting together and doing their own thing. We didn't want to plan anything for them, because to us that felt contrived. That way, they would gather as they pleased, under parental supervision, and play together or dance, or start singing, etc.
I'm not thrilled with your idea, because I fear parents will look upon it as "babysitting", and feel free to just leave them there....

Answer 9

I think it's a cute idea! Unfortunately, children can sometimes grow impatient.
What about one of those inflatable .... what do you call them? They can jump in them! Obviously not inside, but... they'll keep the children occupied!
Maybe you can cut out something so they can make paper doll bride and grooms? I'm not too sure what else, but... I would REALLY do with that inflatable jumpy thing!

Answer 10

Make up a word find with wedding words for the older kids. I unlike some people think that a wedding isn't complete without children. Even when they do silly stuff it makes for great memories.