Kiddie Corner
Photo courtesy of Breana Pulizzi and Bria Nicole Terry,
Who says weddings have to be adult only? Lock in these fun and interactive ways to keep the kiddos at your wedding entertained all day (or night) long.
Hire a Sitter
Photo Courtesy of The Canadian Nanny Blog
Sounds silly simple, but oftentimes the best solutions actually are. Give the parents at your wedding a break by hiring a designated “sitter” to watch over the kiddos. Whether it’s a professional “wedding sitter”, your local babysitter, Great Aunt Terry, or a friendly neighbourhood teacher, there are lots of options of great people who would absolutely love to be hired to spend the evening with all the kiddos.
Designate a ‘Kid Cave’
What’s more fun than having a special kid-zone where the kiddos can really let loose and be free? Whether it’s a corner of a room, an extra bridal suite, a vacant party room, or a private hotel suite - many venues have some really great options of places that you can designate as a children-only “Kid Caves”.
Make it a ‘Kids Meal’
Ok - definitely don’t make all of your food options a kids meal, but be sure to have a couple little nibbles that will beak their kid-friendly interests. Little ones can be picky eaters and no one likes a hangry kid, so make sure there is at least one or two things a younger pallet might like.
Get Crafty
Crafts are by far one of the best kid-hacks that ever existed. Set out a table with a series of crafts that they can make either for their parents, their friends, or hey, maybe even for the newlyweds, and guaranteed they’ll be entertained for hours.
Make it a Contest
Whether it’s a scavenger hunt, a game of bingo, or low key night-long game of ‘murder handshake’, kids love having a task at hand and games are a really great way of making the seemingly mundane really fun for them.
Keep it Entertaining
Just because it’s your wedding doesn’t mean you have to be the entertainment for the night. If you’re able to, consider hiring some sort of children’s performer to keep the kiddos occupied while the grown ups have some “grown up fun”. Clowns, magicians, dance instructors, Disney Princesses, or Superheroes are all solid options of kid-friendly entertainment that are sure to entertain and amaze any and all youngins.
iSpy - Photo Scavenger Hunt Edition
Photo: Nestor Rizhniak/Shutterstock
Give the kids a list of things to take pictures of and a form of kid-friendly camera - think disposable or polaroid. Between keeping them occupied for hours and the fact that they’ll definitely be providing you with some hilarious mementos, it’s sure to be a big hit all around!
Get them Involved
Kids focus way better when they’ve got a task at hand, so if you’re looking to have your favourite young guests engaged, it’s always best if you engage them. Appoint them duties, give them a roll, and ask for their help whenever you can. Whether it’s the resident high-fiver, water refiller, ring security, grandma dancer, or just friendly greeter, kids are way more likely to behave if they feel they have a job to do and are being of value.
