Creating A Fun Wedding Activity Book For Guests

A wedding activity book is a great way to keep kids entertained at weddings and receptions. It can be a challenge to keep children occupied during the boring stuff like speeches and photos, so having a dedicated activity book can be a life-saver for parents and a fun memento of the day for kids. These books can be easily printed at home, or bought online, and paired with crayons or pencils for a simple, affordable way to keep children happy.

Choosing the right paper

Type of Paper

The type of paper you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your activity book. Two commonly used options are copy paper and cardstock. Copy paper is thinner and less expensive, making it a good choice if you're working with a tight budget. Cardstock, on the other hand, is thicker and sturdier, giving your activity book a more premium feel. It's also easier to work with than copy paper, but it can be more costly. Ultimately, the decision between copy paper and cardstock depends on your budget and desired finish.

Paper Weight and Brightness

When selecting copy paper, look at the weight and brightness specifications. A weight of 24 lbs is a good choice, as it strikes a balance between thickness and ease of printing. As for brightness, a brighter sheet of paper will make your activity book appear more vibrant and colourful. Consider choosing a copy paper with a brightness rating of 97 or higher.

Paper Colour

White paper is the most common choice for activity books, as it provides a clean background for writing and drawing. However, you can also explore coloured paper options if you want to add a unique twist to your design. Just make sure that the paper colour doesn't clash with the colours of your activity book content.

Paper Finish

The finish of the paper refers to its texture. A smooth finish is typically best for activity books, as it allows for easier writing and drawing. Some paper options may have a slightly textured finish, which can add a subtle effect to your design. If you're using coloured paper, a matte finish is generally preferable to avoid unwanted glare.

Paper Size

The standard paper size for activity books is 8.5 by 11 inches. This size allows for a comfortable amount of space for activities and colouring pages. You can also opt for a half-size booklet by folding the paper in half or using pre-cut paper.

Printing and Assembly

When printing your activity book, consider the number of pages and whether you want single-sided or double-sided printing. Double-sided printing can save paper, but it requires careful insertion of pages to ensure the correct order. Test printing on a single sheet first to check that the alignment and scaling are correct. After printing, assemble the pages in the correct order, fold them in half, and secure them with staples, twine, or another binding method.

Printing and assembling

Once you have your printed pages, it's time to assemble the books. Start by laying the sheets on top of each other in the correct order, with the cover of the booklet on the bottom. Align the edges of the sheets and fold them in half to create your book, creasing the center. Next, use a hole punch or the tip of your scissors to poke two holes through the pages along the crease, about 3 inches apart. Cut a length of baker's twine and string it through the holes from the inside of the book to the outside cover, tying a knot or bow. You can also add embellishments like tassels or pompoms to match your wedding colours.

Finally, provide some crayons or coloured pencils for the kids to use. You can either bundle small packs of crayons with baker's twine or leave a large container of colouring utensils in the centre of a kids' table for them to share.

Activity ideas

• "I Do" colouring cover page: a page for children to colour in wedding rings and add their own creative touches, such as the names of the bride and groom.
• Outfit match: a colouring page where children can replicate what the bride and groom are wearing.
• I Spy: a game where children look around the room to find wedding-themed items on a list.
• Cake decorating: a page for children to decorate a cake, either freely or to match the one at the wedding.
• Selfie time/self-portrait: a page for children to draw a self-portrait or a portrait of a friend.
• Word search: a wedding-themed word search with easy-to-find words for younger children and more challenging words for older ones.
• Word scramble: a page with wedding-related words for children to unscramble.
• What's Missing: a vocabulary-building activity where children fill in the blanks to match pictures.
• Tweet Heart maze: a maze where children help a lovebird find its partner.
• Count the Ways: similar to I Spy, this activity focuses on counting skills, where children count items on the page and write down the total.
• Just Married message page: a page for children to write a personal message to the bride and groom.
• Tic-tac-toe: a game for children to play with friends and family.
• Wedding maze: a maze for children to navigate their way through to reach a wedding cake in the centre.
• Draw the couple: a box for children to draw a picture of the newly married couple.
• Match the Hearts: a page where children draw lines to connect pairs of matching hearts.
• Circle the Number: a counting activity where children count images and circle the correct number.
• Connect the Dots: a page where children connect the dots to form a picture.

Keeping costs low

There are many ways to keep costs low when making a wedding activity book. Here are some tips to help you create a budget-friendly activity book:

• Printable PDFs: Consider purchasing a printable PDF wedding activity book online. This can save you time and money on designing and printing the book yourself. Many printable activity books come with multiple pages of activities, which can keep kids entertained throughout the wedding.
• Use Affordable Paper: When printing the activity book, you don't need to use expensive cardstock paper. Opt for regular copy paper or slightly nicer bright white copy paper, which is still cost-effective but gives a higher-quality feel.
• Shop Around for Crayons: If you plan to provide crayons or colouring tools with the activity books, compare prices at different stores. Sometimes, larger packs of crayons are not the most cost-effective option. Look for smaller packs or consider buying in bulk from wholesale stores.
• Digital Downloads: If you're comfortable with digital activities, you can save on printing costs by purchasing digital activity books that can be downloaded and used on tablets or printed at home.
• Keep it Simple: You don't need to include a lot of bells and whistles to keep kids entertained. Simple activities such as word searches, colouring pages, and mazes can go a long way in keeping young guests occupied during the wedding.
• DIY: If you're crafty, consider making the activity books yourself. This can be time-consuming but may save you money in the long run. You can design the activities, print them at home or at a local print shop, and put the books together with some string or staples.
• Compare Online Options: Take some time to browse online marketplaces such as Etsy, where you can find a variety of wedding activity books at different price points. Compare the prices and read reviews to find the best option for your budget.
• Ask for Help: If you know anyone who is crafty or artistic, don't be afraid to ask for their help. They may be willing to design or put together the activity books at a lower cost or even as a wedding gift.

Remember, the key to keeping costs low is to be flexible and compare different options. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can create budget-friendly wedding activity books that will keep your young guests entertained!

Where to find printables

If you're looking for printables to include in your wedding activity book, there are plenty of free options available online. For example, Favorite Printables offers a 12-page printable wedding activity book for kids, which includes a variety of activities such as colouring pages, I Spy, a word search, and a word scramble. Similarly, Pjs and Paint offers a free printable wedding activity and colouring book for kids, which includes games such as I Spy, Tic Tac Toe, a maze, and a word scramble.

If you're looking for something more customisable, Etsy has a wide range of wedding activity book printables available for purchase, which can often be personalised with the couple's names and wedding date. These printables typically include a variety of activities such as colouring pages, word searches, and mazes, and can be printed at home.

Additionally, some websites, such as Shower of Roses Blog, provide ideas and inspiration for creating your own wedding activity books from scratch, including suggestions for printable pages, assembly instructions, and recommendations for colouring supplies.

Frequently asked questions