How do you entertain kids at a wedding?

Some parents may prefer an adult-only ceremony, but many couples include their young guests in the festivities by making special accommodations. Consider hiring a babysitter or professional entertainer if necessary, and tailor the party's activities, toys, and treats to the ages of the children expected to attend.

Selecting even a small number of kid-friendly activities, foods, and games can ensure that your young guests have as much fun as the adults. There are countless ways to make sure children enjoy every aspect of your wedding, from special favours and games to child-friendly food and desserts served throughout the reception.

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We get a lot of questions from brides about how to keep the kids entertained during the ceremony and reception. When inviting children to a wedding, many parents worry that the children will be bored, drive their parents crazy, or even cause a riot. Recently, we discussed methods for keeping young guests under control during ceremonies. Having children at a wedding reception doesn't have to be stressful for the parents or the happy couple, provided that adequate planning and child-friendly activities are provided. In light of this, we've compiled a list of Ideas for Wedding Entertainment for Kids, as a merry band of young ones will make for a much less stressful special day for everyone.

Looking for the best Wedding Entertainment to put the rhythm into your special day. Look no further, Vines of the Yarra Valley has you covered.

Table of Contents

Here are ideas for keeping children entertained at your wedding:

High Tea

Having a separate meal at the reception just for the kids is a great idea. Why not have someone come in and cater a high tea party for the kids while food trucks are all the rage among the adults? This would look beautiful in wedding photos because of the theme and the event it would be most appropriate for. Read on for a few suggestions.

Glamping

Why not incorporate a little glamping into your wedding like the adorable slumber party companies do for kids' birthday parties? The kids invited to your wedding can have a slumber party complete with tents, fairy lights, popcorn, movies, games, and more in an adjacent indoor space or outside if the weather is nice. See Sydney, Goodnight, and Sweet Dreams.

Babysitting

You could hire a babysitter to stay in the room with the kids to keep an eye on them and make sure they're entertained at all times. Include activities such as reading stories, making crafts, and playing games like Connect Four and Trouble. You could also include a video game console for the older kids in the family.

Entertainers

Professional children's entertainers will make the day more fun for everyone. Think about hiring a clown who isn't scary, a face painter, a balloon artist, or a magician. Get in touch with local entertainment providers and see what they can offer for your wedding.

Jumping Castle

As I read down this list, it becomes increasingly difficult for me to picture none of the adults attending your wedding wanting to join in on the kid-friendly activities.

You can bring out the kid in everyone by renting a jumping castle to set up in a corner of the grounds at your celebration. Inquire with the venue's wedding planner for recommendations on vendors they've previously worked with. Consider a vintage-style carousel, a cool land train ride, or a clown machine if you want to include some rides in your sideshow.

Make your food

While a candy bar at a wedding is sure to keep guests of all ages occupied (at least until the sugar high wears off!), there are plenty of other ways to keep the party going. In addition to creating their own sundaes, kids can also decorate doughnuts, cupcakes, and biscuits. Or you could try making your own tacos or pizza.

Crafty ideas

Entertaining kids isn't always a breeze, especially if you have a bunch of rowdy toddlers running amok while you're trying to get ready. Making a dedicated space to art and craft can help relieve tension. They can help you decorate pink and white paper hearts for decorations at your reception. Instead of paint and markers, try using stickers! Planning a Christmas wedding? Have the kids decorate baubles to take home as favours.

Game on!

It's a good idea to bring some books and maybe a handheld computer game to keep the kids occupied during the ceremony, as kids of any age are likely to get bored. For the older kids, you could even set up a game room with an Xbox, Wii, or Playstation.

That's entertainment

A children's entertainer should be thoroughly vetted before being hired. Consider the environment they'll be working in and provide them with sufficient activities to fill the time allotted. They should also be highly motivated and well-organized.

Treasure hunts

Plan a treasure hunt in a pirate theme for the kids to enjoy during the cocktail hour of your reception if the venue permits it. It will be perfect for getting the kids moving before the wedding breakfast, and with some smart shopping at the dollar store, it won't cost you much to put together.

Youngsters' Goodie Bags

It is common practise to include the wedding itinerary and the couple's favourite local treats in a welcome bag given to guests. However, why not give the kids who are attending your event a welcome activity bag? Don't forget the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, the crayons, the personalised colouring books detailing how you two met and fell in love, and any other kid-friendly treats.

Favors for a water gun ceremony

Instead of the traditional rice, petal, or confetti toss, have your guests shoot the newlyweds with mini water guns as soon as they are declared wife and husband at an outdoor wedding. This unique send-off at your nuptials will be treasured by young and old alike.

Children's Drinks

Seasonal brews and Champagne served on a tray will be well received by those of legal drinking age; however, non-alcoholic beverages should also be provided for the benefit of the younger guests in attendance. Lemonade, especially when it's made with fresh lemon juice, is a classic drink that never goes out of style.

Include Twirly Straws in Drinks

For added merriment at drink stations that are kid-friendly, provide a selection of wild, twisted straws in bright colours for young guests to select from.

Choose Snacks That Kids Will Like.

There can be some gourmet options during the hour of cocktails, but there should also be at least one appetiser that the kids will enjoy. Elegant and convenient Macaroni and Cheese Spoon Bites are a classy take on the comfort food classic.

Hire a performer

If you have the budget for it, you can go all out and hire professional entertainment such as a caricature creator, clown, storyteller, magician, fortune teller, or impersonator (think Spider-Man, Mickey Mouse, or Cinderella). Get the grownups some Champagne and some adult conversation while you keep the kids occupied and entertained. (By contacting local entertainment agencies and party planning companies, you can book the best performer for your event.)

Create a gaming area

If you have an especially animated group, turn the playroom into a play room. Ping pong, air hockey, and other game tables, as well as a wide variety of balls (Nerf, Twister, basketball, Hula Hoop, and jump rope) are available for rent or borrowing. If you're having your wedding at a country club or hotel, they might already have everything you need. If your wedding is a more relaxed outdoor affair, consider setting up lawn games and activities like a three-legged race, cornhole, or even a game of hide-and-seek.

Establish a craft room

Save some space for a kid-oriented art area. Set up a colouring contest, show them how to make beads, or even have them create some cute signs for happy couple. If you want pictures of the party to go inside the frames, give them some time to decorate the frames before you take the pictures.

Check out some of Melbourne’s best Wedding Singers to help you celebrate on your special day.

Space Out Your Meals

Even if there is a designated play area, it may be preferable to serve different meals to the children and adults. If your guests prefer to linger more than a five-course dish, keep in mind that the younger members of your party will likely be restless after only a quarter of an hour. The adults can relax with some wine and appetisers while the kids help themselves to the buffet. After the children have finished their meal, they can go play while the adults relax and enjoy their meal.

Decide on family-friendly music

Put on some kid-friendly tunes, like those from "Frozen" or "Moana," and have a dance party in a different room. Offering dance lessons is a great way to keep the kids entertained and get them involved in the celebration.

Naptime

It's likely that the youngest attendees will be out cold by the time the event is over, but even older children can experience fatigue. Prepare a tranquil area where they can recharge after a day filled with activity, exploration, and discovery.

Karaoke

Again, the young ones might have to wrangle some of the grownups away from this activity, but karaoke is fun for everyone. You should put it in a nearby room and fill it with kid-friendly music like Disney tunes and the work of former Disney actors who haven't gone completely off the rails yet. Great entertainment for a long time.

Lawn games and rides

Another simple idea is to rent lawn games from one of the many event rental companies or vintage prop shops. To get ideas, consider games like quoits, croquet, lawn bowls, and even giant chess or Jenga.

Petting zoo

You could also have some exciting rides, like a mini hayride or a pony ride, for the kids. Another idea that's so cute you'll want to squish it is to rent a petting zoo full of adorable newborn animals that the guests can pet and feed, such as bunnies, lambs, or a pack of puppies. Who could have a wedding without a litter of adorable puppies running around and playing?

Photo Booth

Hire a photo booth and fun props to give your wedding guests of all ages something to do and a memorable memento of the event. Numerous photo and video booths, a plethora of props, and even green screen backgrounds are just some of the many services that can be accessed. Both you and your guests can take one home with you.

Disposable Camera Scavenger Hunt

DIY wedding planning is a great option if you're trying to save money.

Giving kids disposable cameras and a list of things they need to take pictures of is a great idea for a scavenger hunt. The wedding cake, the wedding car, a funny moment, the mother of the bride, a dance, your favourite part of the wedding, something purple, and more should all be included.

Activity box

You can also easily DIY beautiful activity boxes for each child guest. Coloring books and crayons, crossword puzzles, stickers, finger puppets, bubbles, mini LEGO sets, and simple craft supplies are all great ideas. Enjoy the evening even more with the addition of glowsticks or sparklers.

Hire Professional Childcare

To ensure that no one gets hurt—or sticks their fingers in the cake—many parents choose to hire a babysitter. The babysitter can also oversee any special kid-only events you plan, such as an arts and crafts session, a movie night, a hike in the woods, or a video game tournament.

Provide Coloring and Writing Tools

Cover the kids' table(s) with white butcher paper and provide cups of crayons (or other nonstaining drawing tools) to keep them occupied during a lengthy meal. Because of all the action going on around them, they won't even notice that they're still seated at a table.

Fair Weather Fun - Outdoor Games

Provide classic outdoor activities for your guests if your reception location has a garden or other suitable outside space and the weather permits. Hopscotch, lawn bowling, Twister, outdoor Jenga, and Connect4 are all great games for the lawn that will keep them entertained for hours. Even more basic toys like kites, jump ropes, and hula hoops can provide hours of fun.

Rainy Day Drinks Reception Entertainment

You could prepare a spot with puzzles and board games in case the weather is bad. Classic games like Guess Who, Monopoly, Operation, and Hungry Hippos will keep kids entertained while also getting them to talk to one another. Those with teenagers or young adults in their guest list should consider this as well.

Arty Crafty Occupation

Small bins of crayons and other art materials (stickers, pipe cleaners, playdough) will go over well in a designated area. Children can spend hours of time having fun with wedding-themed arts and crafts, such as making a wedding cake, designing a wedding dress, making wedding cards, or even making homemade masks for a photo booth.

A Movie Room

Make sure the kids are content by providing them with a dedicated movie viewing area. Pile on the beanbags, stuffed animals, and DVDs for a cosy movie night. Mini popcorn bags would be a cute addition. If you're looking for a way to help the kids relax before bedtime, this is a fantastic option.

Professional Minders 

babysitters or a wedding sitting service like Irish Wedding Sitters or Last Minute Minders to watch the kids while the parents celebrate. Before and after the wedding meal, they will keep the kids occupied and under supervision in a special area of the reception venue. Knowing that the children are occupied and having a good time will allow you and your guests to fully enjoy the wedding reception.

Lots of Treats - Personalized Goody Bags

Fill little treat bags with goodies that your young guests can enjoy. Place one at every kid's place setting at the reception to keep the little ones content. These need not cost an arm and a leg; you can get lots of cool components from the two euro shop or places like Tiger or Ikea. The retro children's party supplies at Wedding in a Teacup and Yo-Yo Ma are fantastic.

 

Beside the seaside

What about a wedding on the beach, complete with colourful buckets, spades, and nets? There's rock pooling for the older kids and sandcastle building for the little ones. Do remember to have responsible adults on hand in case they have a few too many.

Gourmet guests

Are you a self-proclaimed foodie? Have your loudest guests help make the puddings to keep the peace! We're big fans of the Splat workshops where aspiring chefs can decorate wedding-themed cupcakes and cookies with glitter and sprinkles. Better than listening to another boring speech!

Check out our post on What are the wedding DJ packages and specials?

Lawn games

Giant lawn games are a great way to keep kids occupied at weddings in the spring and summer, whether you go with traditional carnival games like the hoopla and coconut shy or modern favourites like Jenga and Connect 4. Tots won't be able to say no.

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Play stations, a delectable menu just for kids, and wedding games are all viable alternatives. The motivation for those is also at hand. Meeting the needs of your specific group means adapting to their age range and specific interests. Also, think about how each choice will fit into the bigger picture of your event's design.

In this article, you will find some brilliant suggestions for entertaining the young guests at your wedding, such as the flower girl and ring bearer, as well as younger relatives, friends' children, and perhaps even your own. Check it out and pick the items that will make your young celebrants the happiest. Ask your suppliers if they can provide any assistance in carrying out a similar plan. Of course, asking your parents for permission and staying under their supervision are musts no matter what you decide.

Conclusion

If you plan ahead and have kid-friendly activities available, inviting your kids to your wedding reception doesn't have to be a source of stress. Wedding entertainment ideas from Vines of the Yarra Valley for children range from a slumber party to a glamping excursion. Having a babysitter on hand to keep an eye on the kids and keep them occupied at all times is an option. Before hiring a children's entertainer, it's important to do some research on them. Think about the space they'll be working in and give them enough to do to fill the time allotted.

To increase the fun factor at kid-friendly drink stations, try using twisted straws. Make some noise and let loose in the playroom if your group is particularly animated. You can borrow or rent game tables like ping pong and air hockey. Venues like hotels and country clubs often provide all the necessary items for weddings. A babysitter can look after the children while they participate in activities like an art project or watch a movie.

Kids can have hours of fun with classic board games like Guess Who, Monopoly, Operation, and Hungry Hippos. Hopscotch, lawn bowling, and Jenga are just a few of the many fun games that can be played on the grass. There is the option of hiring babysitters or a wedding sitting service to help entertain the children. Wedding in a Teacup and Yo-Yo Ma have great vintage-inspired party supplies for kids. Be sure to have mature adults present.

Alternatives include providing playstations, a special menu, or wedding games designed specifically for children. Before making any decisions, consider how they will affect the overall look and feel of your event. No matter what you do, you must first get your parents' approval and remain in their supervision.

Content Summary

  • Having a separate meal at the reception just for the kids is a great idea.
  • You can bring out the kid in everyone by renting a jumping castle to set up in a corner of the grounds at your celebration.
  • Have the kids decorate baubles to take home as favours.
  • Plan a treasure hunt in a pirate theme for the kids to enjoy during the cocktail hour of your reception if the venue permits it.
  • Favors for a water gun ceremonyInstead of the traditional rice, petal, or confetti toss, have your guests shoot the newlyweds with mini water guns as soon as they are declared wife and husband at an outdoor wedding.
  • Hire a performer
  • Save some space for a kid-oriented art area.
  • Decide on family-friendly musicPut on some kid-friendly tunes, like those from "Frozen" or "Moana," and have a dance party in a different room.
  • Giving kids disposable cameras and a list of things they need to take pictures of is a great idea for a scavenger hunt.
  • To ensure that no one gets hurt—or sticks their fingers in the cake—many parents choose to hire a babysitter.
  • Provide classic outdoor activities for your guests if your reception location has a garden or other suitable outside space and the weather permits.
  • Make sure the kids are content by providing them with a dedicated movie viewing area.
  • Before and after the wedding meal, they will keep the kids occupied and under supervision in a special area of the reception venue.
  • Knowing that the children are occupied and having a good time will allow you and your guests to fully enjoy the wedding reception.
  • Place one at every kid's place setting at the reception to keep the little ones content.
  • The retro children's party supplies at Wedding in a Teacup and Yo-Yo Ma are fantastic.
  • Play stations, a delectable menu just for kids, and wedding games are all viable alternatives.
  • Meeting the needs of your specific group means adapting to their age range and specific interests.
  • In this article, you will find some brilliant suggestions for entertaining the young guests at your wedding, such as the flower girl and ring bearer, as well as younger relatives, friends' children, and perhaps even your own.
  • Check it out and pick the items that will make your young celebrants the happiest.

FAQs About Kids At Wedding

Traditional way to indicate whether a child is invited is to include his or her name on the invitation. If the child is over age 18, he or she should receive a separate invitation, even if he or she's still living at home.

If kids are invited to your wedding, include their names on the invitation; if they're not invited, simply exclude their names. To be sure there are no crossed wires, it often helps to call all parents before sending out your invitations to let them know that you're having an adults-only affair.

Don't feel as though having kids at your wedding opens it up to everyone under 13. Although it may seem tough to exclude, it's perfectly fine only to invite children who are part of your or your fiance's family or those of close family friends. Knot Note: Don't extend "ceremony only" invitations to children

You shouldn't feel guilty for keeping your wedding a kid-free zone, but it's not polite to specify your wishes front and centre on the invitations. Having a child-free wedding can be a very sensitive issue for some guests, especially out-of-town family members and close friends with little ones.

Often, these young children mean quite a lot to the couple getting married, so they may choose to include them in their big day. There are several reasons for opting for no kids at your wedding. The most common reason is that it often places pressure on an already-tight budget.

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