Entertaining kids at a wedding.

Have a separate crafting table? Coloring pages, card making station for the bride and groom, foam masks, board games... Etc

Hope that helps!

I think crafting is a good idea! I might do it depending on how many kids I have. It will be unobtrusive to the rest of the wedding, fun and you can make it wedding themed!

I will have at least have 11 kids at my wedding. I was thinking about having a separate table just for them. Maybe some coloring books etc if the budget holds

GREAT thread!! We are going to have quite a few kiddos under 10 as well at our wedding and I think I'm going to do a table like this as well!! Looking forward to seeing what others have to say :-)

We took my almost four-year-old to a wedding this past Summer and there were several other children under the age of 10 as well. The bride provided coloring books and crayons. My daughter had a good time and it was not stressful at alll. Though, we did have to leave early bc she had an accident and peed in her panties and it got on my dress as well, but overall it was a nice time

I have around 50 kids 18 and under. Quite a few are 10 and younger. I am getting little pails from orientaltrading.com & filling it with a snack and juice box. an activity book, crayons & glow sticks. I might add little handheld puzzles from the kids 6, 7, and 8 years old. I love kids & couldn't exclude them from my wedding. I don't care who doesn't like it! I will be putting the pail at their seat & then also having a set of tables in the corner they can gather if they want.

I'm kind of old fashioned when it comes to kids at weddings: if their parents RSVPd yes for them, then it's their responsibility to make sure they behave/are entertained.

I bought a bunch of different patterned duct tape. A lot of the kids we have invited make wallets and things out of it. And I will have coloring pages and crayons on the kids table.

I am also thinking about hiring one of my bridesmaids friends to come "babysit" in a seperate room during the reception and having more games and things in there for them. I figure I can give the babysitter $100 for the night and there should be enough kids for everyone to play with and give the parents some type to relax and have a cocktail without watching there kids.

@Megan, I thought something hilarious when I first read patterned duct tape lol!

I'm having way too many kids at mine, and am thinking of hiring someone to do balloon animals or something. It's more of a laid back party reception, so hopefully that doesn't make it too tacky lol! Maybe if I put the kids table in the corner...

I am having Kids at my ceremony and reception. What I have plan for them is that they will have dinner with everyone. Since my reception venue is in a hotel I am going to have room with movies for them to watch while the adults enjoy themselves. My cousin will be babysitting but she will alternate with the parents so she can enjoy some of the wedding too. Everyone agree with that. Also depending on how many people RSVP I will set a table just for the kids and have them color and take pictures with a camera that I will have for them to share. Kids make it fun to!!!

We have a ton of grassy space at our venue, so were are setting up lawn games for everyone to play. And then there is an alcove type area that is off to the side of the reception area (it's almost enclosed due to all the greenery) and in there we will put up kids activity tables, crayons/coloring books, play dough, puzzles, etc.

Right now, I only know 3 kids that are coming (for certain) to the wedding. There are 3 or 4 more that I won't know about until next year (the 3 I know are my ring bearer, flower girl and a cousin from out of state's daughter). If we have a few more, I want to have a Santa Claus come for cocktail hour. I can't really justify the cost of a Santa for only 3 kids but if 5 or more come, I think it will be worth it. I will probably make small goody bags for the kids as well. I am thinking glow sticks and coloring books and crayons.

@Jennifer...AWESOME idea on all that stuff!! LOVE IT!!

@Megan...GREAT idea on the "babysitter" right there at the wedding...someone to keep the cherubs entertained :-)

I was seriously considering doing a crafting table and since we have an outdoor venue I was thinking about putting a blanket on the ground and putting a pile of Legos on it, those things can entertain kids for hours, especially boys who will be bored with crafts and coloring

Hey! I just noticed I got my 4th star!

My kids (6 and 5) would not have been amused by coloring books. They wanted to dance and hang out just like everyone else. It was fine. They weren't underfoot.

Do you, or someone you know, know some responsible babysitters? This would be a great gig for a teen or young adult sitter to make a few bucks...depending on how many chilren are there you might want to hire more than one. I don't think you'd have to pay more than $100 or so for that...and you can provide the coloring books and other fun (but quiet) distractions for their special area!

Something to consider, though...you might want to provide the babysitter's meal like you would a DJ/photographer.

I had several people seem surprised that we were allowing children at our wedding. My response was of course this is a family event it wouldn't be right without the children. My favorite and first photos I personally took were of the children playing with the lights from the DJ's booth on the dance floor. We had about 20, 10 years of age and younger and it was fine. They played around on the dance floor a couple of the older boys got a little rough but their parents sat them down promptly. Once the dancing started they were all back on the dance floor.

We got small gift bags and are putting in a coloring book that i put together, crayons, a "I spy" list, disposable cameras and m & ms (our ring bearer and flower girls favorite). We have atotal of 10 kids, ages 4 to 13.

We will have a whole area for kids with coloring books that we are making from crayola's site you upload you own pictures and make a coloring book.