10 Tips on How to Entertain Children at a Wedding

If you have decided to have children at your wedding you will want to consider how you are going to keep them occupied.  Here are ten suggestions of how you can keep children entertained at a wedding –

1. Create a Children’s Table
   Make them feel special with a table just for the kids – some venues have child-size furniture that will look really cute and is much more practical.  Decorate the table in the same way as the adult tables, replacing favours with sweets and things to play with.
2. Fun Decorations
   It’s a good idea to replace floral centrepieces with more child-friendly centrepieces.  Edible fruit bouquets are a perfect alternative, but you could also have giant bowls filled with treats.  Use your imagination and kids will love it!
3. Blowing Bubbles
   All guests who are young at heart will enjoy blowing bubbles.  Add a pot to every table and one for each child on their table so everyone can join in the fun!  Bubbles will create a romantic atmosphere and some fab photo opportunities.  You could even get a bubble blowing machine!
4. Special Presents
   As a special favour for a pageboy or flowergirl, ask their parents about their favourite toys and buy one as a gift – it will keep them quiet all day!
5. Activity Packs
   Event Smiles have a great range of activity bags or ‘Smiles’ suitable for all ages.  Find out more at www.eventsmiles.co.uk.  You should also look at Last Little Things who have a range of children’s favours that include activity packs.
6. Colouring Crayons
   Simple, safe and fun, children of all ages love crayons.  Buy special wedding favour crayon packs or get a bumper pack and place in a pot that fits in with your wedding theme.  Add sheets of paper and ask them to draw the happy couple.
7. Moulding Toys
   Always popular with children, give them mouldable playthings like Play Doh (for younger children) and Fimo (for older children).  Add some tools and other toys and they’ll be occupied for hours.
8. Lego Packs
   Another classic toy that boys will particularly enjoy, but remember to consider the ages of the children – young ones need basic packs while older children need more difficult versions so they don’t get bored.
9. Children’s Music
   Ask your DJ to play some children’s songs at the beginning of the evening – dancing should tire out any stubborn young sleepers!
10. Special First Dance
    Have a fun first dance just for the children straight after your own.  They will love the attention and you will love the photographs!

Article by Award Winning Wedding Planner Julie Tooby

Image from Flickr, Uploaded by Tarotastic

For more advice on this subject, read the Children at Weddings article by Jemma Williams.

Read more Wedding Planning Advice articles

Read other Wedding Advice articles