For every bride and groom who loves the thought of having kids at their weddings, there are others who worry that having children attend their big day might disrupt certain aspects of their special day. To help alleviate the stress for the latter, we have compiled a list of ideas on how to involve children in your wedding to ensure that the children at your event are well-behaved, but also entertained throughout your big day!
Keep Them Busy with Wedding Tasks
Everyone loves seeing the traditional flower girl and ring bearer dressed in tulle and little tuxes. If you are considering including kids in your wedding party, it’s helpful to keep in mind a general guideline. Children between the ages of three to seven are typically well-suited for the roles of flower girl or ring bearer, while kids aged eight to 18 can be considered junior bridesmaids or groomsmen.
There are more ways you can get kids involved in your ceremony. Have them be sign holders during the processional. Many blended families have also included their kids in their unity ceremony. Children can also help pass out programs and distribute confetti or bubbles for the recessional. This will hopefully encourage them to participate in the festivities or at least not run wild during the ceremony.
Have a Kid’s Table
To keep kids entertained during cocktail hour and before dinner, consider setting up a designated kids’ table equipped with coloring pages and crayons, puzzles, crafts, and other quiet games and activities for them to work on. These activities can keep kids occupied during later events such as the first dances or speeches. Instead of decorating the table with traditional linens, use butcher or bulletin board paper to make clean-up after the event easier and in the case of a mess.
When it comes to dinner, consider offering an alternative kids menu with options even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy. Additionally, providing small pre-packaged snacks will keep kids satisfied throughout the night. A fed child means a happy child and happy parents!
If you have a smaller guest list, consider creating personalized kids’ packs. Kids will fall in love with bags or boxes containing mini activity books, sticker packets, and candy, especially if their bag or box has their name on it!
Other Activities
Outdoor lawn games are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike! Set up cornhole, giant Jenga, or ladder toss for the little ones to enjoy.
Another option that Complete Weddings + Events provides and that kids will love in is photo booth rentals in Wichita. Especially in today’s day and age, kids love taking pictures! What’s more fun than posing with funky props with some of your closest friends and family?
Dedicated Dance Time
It’s always best to encourage all your guests, the young and the old, to join you on the dance floor for a fun time! We have a recommendation for when your dance floor isn’t full! During cocktail hour or during slow periods of your reception, have your Wichita wedding DJ invite all the kids to the dance floor for their own dedicated time to dance.
We love watching kids show off their best dance moves for all to see. Be sure to play music from different eras that are kid-friendly, so everyone hears something they recognize.
Babysitter or TV Room
Sometime kids will be kids. No matter how hard you try to accommodate them, they might just be too cranky or tired to participate in the wedding festivities. When picking out your venue, think about reserving a room for parents to take their children if they need time away from all the excitement.
Consider setting up a TV room where kids can watch a movie or cartoon if they aren’t feeling like dancing. Either that or have a teen or adult volunteer to babysit for the night so that you can celebrate your night stress-free.
To learn more about how to involve kids in your wedding, listen to Episode 83 of The Complete Wedding Planning Podcast!
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