Rhiannon Hendricks
Keeping children entertained at a wedding reception is important to ensure that both kids and adults have a good time. While wedding days are long, exhausting, adult events, there are many ways to keep children occupied and happy. From setting up a kids' area with toys, games, and activities to hiring a sitter or entertainer, there are plenty of options to choose from to ensure children are entertained and don't feel overwhelmed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Kids | 7, 20, almost every guest has at least one |
| Age Range | Months old to teens |
| Separate Space | Comfort room, separate room at the hotel or venue, kids' tent, kids' table, kids' zone |
| Entertainment | Toys, colouring books, colouring competition, disposable camera, bubble machines, chalk, Lego, Instax camera, wand with ribbons, activity pages, clipboards, crayons, photo booth, giant lawn games, music, dance floor, treasure hunt, sack race, ping-pong, foosball, garden games, unicorn petting zoo, kids' picnic |
| Food | Snacks, popcorn, s'mores, kids' menu, party bags |
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What You'll Learn
Kid-friendly zones
Keeping kids entertained at a wedding reception can be tricky, but creating a designated kid-friendly zone is a great way to ensure they stay happy and engaged. Here are some ideas to make this space fun and exciting:
The Zone
If possible, set up the kid-friendly zone in a separate room or area away from the main reception. This allows children to have their own space to play and relax while giving parents a chance to check in on them easily. You could also set up a small "comfort room" as a quiet space for kids to take a break from the excitement of the wedding.
Decor and Signage
Add some fun decor to the zone to make it feel special and exciting for the kids. This could include colourful signage with a "Kid Zone" cutout, colourful stripes, or other eye-catching decorations.
Toys, Games, and Activities
Fill the zone with a variety of toys, games, and activities to keep the kids entertained. This could include colouring books, clipboards with activity pages, crayons, and small toys like playdough or Lego. You could also set up a treasure hunt or a sack race, or provide handheld bubble machines for some outdoor fun. For older kids, consider setting up a table with games like Connect 4, Hook-A-Duck, or giant Jenga.
Snacks
Keep the kids fuelled with a variety of snacks specifically for them. Individual snack bags or a kids' picnic with single-serve portions are great options. You could even set up a s'mores-making station for an interactive and tasty treat.
Entertainment
If your budget allows, consider hiring an entertainer or childcare workers to supervise and engage the kids. They can bring their own activities and games, ensuring hours of fun. Alternatively, set up a kids-only photo booth with dressing-up costumes, masks, and props, or create a mini outdoor cinema with cushions, bowls of popcorn, and a projector.
By creating a well-stocked and engaging kid-friendly zone, you'll ensure that the children at your wedding reception have a fantastic time while giving their parents a chance to relax and enjoy the celebrations.
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Games and activities
Kid-friendly zone
Designate a special area or room for kids to enjoy themselves. This could be a cosy tent or a comfortable indoor space filled with cushions, games, books, and toys. You can also set up a kids-only photobooth with dressing-up costumes, masks, and props. Add a movie or a mini outdoor cinema for after-dinner entertainment.
Outdoor games
Giant garden games such as Connect 4, Hook-A-Duck, and giant Jenga are always a hit with kids. You can also organise a sack race or a treasure hunt in the garden, with clues hidden around for them to find. For something extra special, set up a unicorn petting zoo or a bubble machine for hours of outdoor fun.
Indoor activities
For indoor entertainment, provide colouring books, activity sheets, and clipboards with crayons or coloured pencils. You can even set up a colouring competition with a small prize for the best masterpiece. Other craft ideas include playdough and building blocks like Legos.
Interactive food
Keep kids entertained and well-fed with interactive food options. Making s'mores is a perfect example—they're tasty and fun to put together. You can also provide customised placemats with activities such as colouring, mazes, and tic-tac-toe to keep kids engaged while they wait for their meals.
Dance floor fun
Get the kids onto the dance floor with a stuffed animal dance party. Pick some kid-friendly tunes and bring along some stuffed animals for them to toss and dance with. You can also give the kids some time on the dance floor before your first dance, with a child-friendly playlist prepared by the DJ.
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Snacks and treats
When it comes to snacks and treats, there are several options to keep kids happy at a wedding reception. It's a good idea to have single-serve snacks that are easy for kids to grab without help from adults. Individual snack bags can ensure kids' tummies don't rumble! You could include treats like cookies and milk, or chocolate milkshakes served in shot glasses and topped with whipped cream. You could also have pre-scooped ice cream cones in kid-friendly flavours like vanilla and mint chocolate chip.
If you want to get creative, set up a sweets station with glass jars filled with treats like gumballs and tootsie rolls, or set up a kids' tent with bags of candies as prizes for games. You could also fill popcorn tubs with crayons, Play-Doh, colouring books, Legos and other treats.
If your budget allows, you could hire an entertainer, or set up a mini outdoor cinema with bowls of popcorn and family-favourite movies. You could also create goody bags with age-appropriate treats, or have a designated kids' corner with a simple "Kid Zone" sign, where they can play with toys and games.
Don't forget to keep the ages of the children in mind when choosing treats, and consider whether any of the options might be dangerous for kids under three.
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Entertainment and music
It's important to keep children entertained at a wedding, as they can quickly become overwhelmed and exhausted at these long, adult-focused events.
One way to do this is to set up a separate "kid zone" or room with toys, games, colouring books, and crafts. This can be a quiet space for children to relax and parents to check in on them. You could also provide a TV or movie projector to play child-friendly films. If your budget allows, hire a professional entertainer or set up a creche with trained nannies.
For outdoor weddings, a kids' tent with cushions and blankets can be a cosy escape. You could also set up a treasure hunt or an Easter egg-style hunt with clues and small prizes. A bubble machine is another great way to keep kids entertained, and adults won't have to spend time blowing bubbles.
If you want to get the kids involved in the celebrations, create a kids-only photobooth with fun props and a basket of dressing-up costumes. You could also give them disposable cameras or Instax cameras to capture the event from their perspective.
For music, ask your DJ to prepare a child-friendly playlist and give the kids some time on the dance floor before your first dance. You could also host a stuffed animal dance party, inviting kids to bring their favourite stuffed animals and toss them back and forth as they dance.
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Competitions and prizes
Lego Dream House Competition
Set up a designated Lego table in a separate area and invite the children to build their dream house. Provide a note with the instructions and ask them to get creative. At the end of the night, have the newlyweds judge the best creation and award a prize to the winner. This activity will keep the kids entertained and also give them a sense of pride in their building skills.
Colouring Competition
Provide colouring pads and pots of coloured pencils or crayons at the kids' table. They can create their masterpieces while waiting for food or during speeches. Have a prize ready for the best colouring creation, and maybe even some participation prizes for the other young artists.
Treasure Hunt
Organise a treasure hunt around the wedding venue! Task one of the groomsmen or bridesmaids with rounding up the kids and explaining the rules. Provide clues that will lead them to hidden treats or small gifts around the garden or reception area. This interactive activity will get the kids moving and engaged in a fun adventure.
Guess the Love Story Trivia
Create a trivia game about the bride and groom's love story. Ask questions about how they met, their first date, or their proposal. Fill glass jars with sweets or candies and offer these as prizes for the kids who guess the correct answers. This game will not only entertain the children but also involve them in celebrating the couple's love story.
Giant Garden Games
Set up a variety of giant garden games such as Connect 4, Hook A Duck, and Giant Jenga. These games are not only fun for kids but can also be enjoyed by adults. Organise a mini-tournament with prizes for the winners, creating a playful atmosphere that brings guests of all ages together.
With a bit of creativity and some fun prizes, you can ensure that the kids at your wedding reception have a memorable time and that their parents can relax and enjoy the celebrations too.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to keep kids entertained at a wedding reception. Here are some ideas:
- Set up a kids' area with toys, crafts, games, and books.
- Hire a babysitter or multiple babysitters to watch the children in a separate space.
- Provide a kids' table with colouring books, activity sheets, and clipboards.
There are many activities that can be included in a kids' area at a wedding reception. Here are some ideas:
- Giant garden games such as Connect 4, Hook A Duck, and giant Jenga.
- A kids-only photobooth with dressing-up costumes, masks, and props.
- A treasure hunt with clues to find hidden items around the garden.
Yes, here are some additional tips:
- Provide a kids' menu with delicious food and snacks that are easy for kids to grab.
- If your budget allows, hire an entertainer or set up a kids' room with a TV/movie.
- Give the kids some time on the dance floor with a child-friendly playlist before the first dance.
