George Boyle
Planning a wedding involves a lot of decisions, from the guest list to the decor, and everything in between. One of the many decisions you'll need to make is whether to include children on your guest list and, if so, whether to seat them at a kids' table. There are several advantages to having a kids' table, such as creating a fun and memorable atmosphere, keeping children entertained, and allowing parents to relax and enjoy the festivities. On the other hand, some couples choose not to include children to lower expenses and create a more formal atmosphere. If you do decide to have a kids' table, there are numerous ways to keep them entertained, from colouring books and scavenger hunts to dedicated kids' menus and special treats.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age of children | 5 years old and up for a kids' table; under 5s with their parents |
| Number of children | If there aren't many children attending, a kids' table may not be the best option |
| Familiarity of children with each other | If the children don't know each other well, they may be more comfortable sitting with their parents |
| Entertainment | Coloring and activity books, scavenger hunts, bubbles, yard games, downloadable and printable wedding games, wedding-themed piñata |
| Food and drink | Mocktails, personalized water bottles, separate candy bar or pizza just for kids |
| Decorations | Kids' table sign, fun tablecloth, themed decorations |
| Space | If the venue has room, consider a separate room just for kids |
| Supervision | Consider hiring a sitter to act as a chaperone for each kids' table |
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What You'll Learn
Coloring and activity books
If you're feeling creative, you can make your own coloring and activity books. You can personalize the pages with the bride and groom's names, wedding date, and special messages for the guests. You can print the pages front and back, fold them in half, and stitch them together to create a booklet. This option allows you to customize the content to the age range of the kids attending your wedding.
There are also ready-made options available for purchase. These often include a variety of activities and can be personalized with the wedding details. Some even include journal prompts for kids to reflect on the wedding. These books can be a sweet keepsake for the children to remember the special day.
In addition to coloring and activity books, you can provide crayons, colored pencils, or markers for the kids to use. You could even have them sign their artwork and create a special memory book for the newlyweds. Coloring and activity books are a great way to ensure the kids have fun and stay engaged during the wedding festivities.
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Scavenger hunts
- Preparation: Create a list of items or challenges for the kids to find or complete. You can tailor these to your wedding theme or venue. For example, if your wedding has a rustic theme, include items related to nature or the outdoors. Alternatively, you could provide a list of people to find, such as "find someone wearing a bowtie" or "find the bride's second cousin".
- Print or Download: You can design and print your own scavenger hunt lists or download ready-made ones from websites like Amazon or Arkansas Girls. These often come with additional wedding-themed activities like colouring books and are easily accessible for guests to pick up from the kids' table.
- Age-Appropriateness: Ensure the scavenger hunt is suitable for the ages of the children attending. You can provide different lists for different age groups or include a mix of easy and challenging tasks on the same list. This helps keep all the kids engaged and prevents older children from getting bored.
- Variety of Activities: Combine the scavenger hunt with other activities to cater to different interests and energy levels. Quiet activities like colouring books or crafts can be good options for when kids need a break from running around. Outdoor games or bubbles can be fun additions for more active kids.
- Supervision: While parents can keep an eye on their children, it's helpful to designate a babysitter or family member to supervise the kids' table. This ensures that the scavenger hunt runs smoothly and that younger children are guided through the activity.
- Snacks and Drinks: Keep the young guests energised by providing snacks and drinks at the kids' table. You can also ask your caterer to prepare mocktails or virgin versions of your signature cocktails, making the kids feel extra special.
By incorporating a scavenger hunt into your kids' table setup, you'll create a fun and engaging experience for your young guests, contributing to a memorable and enjoyable wedding celebration for both children and adults.
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Games and crafts
Scavenger Hunt
Create a fun scavenger hunt for the kids to do. You can tailor the items on the list to the wedding, such as "find the bride's second cousin" or "something sparkly and round". You could even hide a treasure chest filled with treats and toys for them to discover.
Coloring and Activity Books
Provide coloring books, activity books, and crayons for the children to express their creativity. You could even have wedding-themed coloring sheets featuring the happy couple, their pets, and other fun illustrations. These can also serve as memorable keepsakes after the wedding.
Wedding-Themed Crafts
Incorporate wedding-themed crafts, such as the Unicorn Craft Kit, which offers a delightful collection of unicorn-themed activities. Detailed instructions guide children through each craft, making it enjoyable and accessible.
Yard Games and Bubbles
If your wedding reception is outdoors, consider yard games and bubbles to keep the kids active and entertained. These can include classic games like dominoes, Go Fish, or even a fun twist on a wedding tradition, like a wedding cake piñata.
Special Guest
Arrange for a special guest entertainer, such as a face painter or balloon twister, to captivate the kids and create memorable experiences.
Chaperone or Sitter
Consider hiring a chaperone or sitter to supervise the kids' table. This allows parents to relax and fully enjoy the celebration while knowing their children are safe and entertained.
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Decorations and favours
Decorations
Decorate the kids' table within your wedding theme, add a fun tablecloth, or cover the tables with paper and provide crayons for them to draw on. You can also add a kids' table sign so everyone knows this is the kid zone. If your wedding has a specific theme, such as unicorns, you can include themed decorations and activity kits.
Favours
Personalised favours, such as wedding colouring books and crayons, or an age-appropriate craft, can be a great addition to the kids' table. You could also have them sign their artwork and put it into a book as a keepsake. Other favours could include bubbles, yard games, scavenger hunts, and personalised water bottles.
For edible favours, candy is a popular choice, but you could also consider pretzels or a separate candy bar just for the kids. Having specific food for the kids, such as pizza, can also be a great way to make them feel special.
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Food and drink
When it comes to food and drink for children at weddings, it is important to remember that children have smaller appetites and often eat on an earlier schedule than adults. It is a good idea to offer a child-friendly menu with more than one option, such as chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese/pb&j sandwiches, mac 'n' cheese, sliders, or hamburgers. You can also offer child-friendly finger foods such as french fries, fresh fruit (cut into cute cups or crafted into skewers/fruit kebabs), veggies in individual cups with dip, cheese and crackers, and popcorn.
For a more elevated menu, you could offer chicken and mashed potatoes, or even oysters—many kids will enjoy feeling a bit grown up! You could also offer mocktails or low-alcohol cocktails with fancy glassware and garnishes, such as edible flowers or dehydrated citrus.
If you want to avoid too much sugar, you could set up a dessert table with non-messy, low-sugar treats such as bite-sized cookies, pretzels, rice crispy treats, and fruit roll-ups. You could also offer milk boxes and cookies. Remember to list ingredients on all items to avoid any issues with common food allergies.
To keep costs down, you could create a DIY hot dog bar with various toppings, or a make-your-own toy goodie bag instead of a candy bar.
For drinks, it is typical for the wedding hosts to cover all costs, including alcohol. If you decide to have a cash bar, be sure to let your guests know in advance. You can limit the alcohol selection to 1-2 kinds of beer, a red wine, and a white wine, and then offer hard liquor and cocktails on a cash basis.
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Frequently asked questions
It's completely up to you! Having a kids' table can be a great way to keep children entertained and allow parents to relax and enjoy the festivities. However, some couples choose not to include children at their wedding to create a more formal and adult atmosphere.
This depends on various factors, such as the formality of the wedding, how well the children know each other, and their ages. Generally, kids aged 5 and above tend to self-entertain fairly well. For younger children, it's a good idea to keep them with their parents during the meal.
There are plenty of ways to keep kids entertained at your wedding, such as providing colouring and activity books, scavenger hunts, games, crafts, and toys. You can also hire a sitter or entertainer, such as a face painter or balloon twister, to keep them engaged.
Serving kid-friendly food, such as pizza or a separate candy bar, can be a great way to make your youngest guests feel special. Don't forget to offer virgin or mocktail versions of your signature cocktails, and perhaps include fun straws or drink stirrers to add to the excitement.
