Image source: Troy Grover Photography via Wedding Chicks
The whole will you, won’t you invite children to your wedding is a topic many brides and grooms have been trying to work out for years! If you’re looking a little advice, check out our forums where lots of brides have been sharing their thoughts. We can’t make your decision, but one thing we do know is this; if you’re having little kids, you need to prepare activities for them! As life changing as it is for you, your wedding ceremony won’t really be that interesting to them, so it’s time to think outside the box and make their day as enjoyable as yours!
Image source: Andrew Bruah via Offbeat Bride
1. Provide the children with their own dedicated area. Whether you go for a little tipee in the garden or a cave made from muslin and a little crafting skills in the corner of your reception room, filled with cushions, your will make them feel like Lords and Ladies of the manor with their own area. A “no adults allowed” sign will go down well with the older kids, but make sure there is a responsible adult hovering about to keep an eye on what’s going on!
2. Books and jigsaws. We all know kids love books and jigsaws, right? Well they do! Many children can while away hours looking at books and making up little stories to go along with them. Bringing out the books is a great way of entertaining them during the speeches when you need them to be a little quieter! Better still why not have someone set up to read popular stories such as The Gruffalo or Matilda in their very own story corner.
Image source: Tied Bow Blog via Paperblog
3. Old fashioned games. Never underestimate the lure of a good old fashioned game! Think hopscotch, sack race and throwing hoops over bottles. All these ideas would be easily DIYed, but if you prefer an easier route there are plenty of styling companies now offer giant lawn games such as Connect 4, or have a look on Ebay!
Image source: Sarah Tonkin via Style Me Pretty
4. One word, glowsticks! Believe us when we say kids adore glowsticks!! Leave jam jars filled with these wonders dotted around the place and hold a dance off for the little ones! Watch as they dance in awe of the glow sticks!
Image source: Jeremy & Kristin via Le Magnifique Blog
5. Cookie bar. You’re making a dessert table for the older guests, so why not give the little ones their ver own cookie table? Different flavours of cookies and pretty glasses of milk and flavoured milks with cute stripy straws will be a big attraction.
6. Personalised activity packs. If you want to really go to town you could personalise each activity pack with things each child will like depending on their age. If you know nothing about kids, the favourite characters etc, just ask their parents.
Image Source: Front Room Photography via The Knot
7. Treasure hunt. A winner with older kids, a treasure hunt will keep them occupied for an hour at least. Why not ask your groom to plan this one, it could be something he’d really love to do! And don’t forget the treasure at the end.
Image source: Lisa Lefkowitz via Emmaline Bride
8. Bubbles. Depending on the age of the kids you might need an adult to supervise! And there might be some parents who aren’t keen on their immaculately dressed little ones having a bottle of bubbles so make sure someone checks.
9. Tiny Photo Booth. How cute is this idea? We love it and imagine the joy in their faces getting dressed up and posing. Hours of fun for little models in the making.
Image source: LilSugar via The Pretty Blog
10. Chalkboards. Pick them up at Ikea for very little and watch as your small guests spend hours playing with them!
How did you look after your tiny wedding guests? We’d love to know, leave us a comment below.
