Simply put, kids always fare best when they’re allowed to be kids. Hoarding children into one room, regardless of how big it may be, and instructing them to sit still, or not run around getting into mischief rarely works, especially at a wedding where the excitement level is high and everyone is talking and having a good time. This doesn’t mean you should leave all of the little ones off of the guest list, but instead, simply find a few creative ways of making sure everyone can attend and enjoy the day together.
Hiring Babysitters
If you have family members or friends who have responsible teenagers who are interested in helping out and also making some extra money in the process, by all means arrange a time where you can sit down and discuss all of the details with them long before the big day arrives. Be sure to make your wishes clear, outlining their responsibilities and duties and making it clear that you’re relying on them to help so that the wedding goes smoothly, allowing all of the guests, young and old, to have a wonderful time.
Favors for the Children
Since you’ll already have favors for all of the adult guests, isn’t it only fair to also have separate favors just for your littlest guests? Children of all ages will absolutely love having their own favor or gift bag to take home as a souvenir from the wedding. It will also make them feel important, wanted, and keep them occupied at the same time.
Much like a child’s birthday party, have goody bags made for all of the kids attending the wedding, filling them with items that are age appropriate. For smaller children, be sure their bags are filled with things that are safe, with no small parts to choke on, and for the older kids, if you’re feeling generous, include a gift card to a popular store in your area for extra big smiles.
Although this is yet another task to add to the already growing list of things to do when planning a wedding, the time and money spent are well worth the effort in the end.
Keeping the Children Happy and Entertained
Busy children are usually very well behaved children. For this reason, make sure you have plenty of things to do to keep all of the kids entertained while the adults are also having a good time. If at all possible, book a reception location that includes a separate room or area that can be devoted just to the children. Add a television, a few video games and you’ve got the makings for pure entertainment.
Wedding receptions that are held outside are perfect for keeping the little ones busy and behaved. Since you’ve already enlisted the help of a few babysitters, have them organize some games, such as relay races, softball or kickball games, and put together a box filled with items that children would enjoy outdoors.
Frisbees, kites, balls, plastic bats, and catcher’s mitts are a great start for keeping your youngest guests busy for quite a while. Ask for volunteers to temporarily donate toys, including dolls, board games, or anything they can think of that will keep everyone amused. If the event is really casual and the kids are allowed to really get down and dirty, water balloons are also a fun way to fill a hot afternoon with plenty of laughter and smiles.
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