Entertaining children at weddings

Rachel85

Hi Everyone,

I realise this may be more suited to the Special Occasions board, but it specifically relates to children so thought you guys would know your stuff.

OH and I are getting married next year. Although its a while away I'm trying to keep costs down and I know that time will soon run away with me.

We have a number of children coming to the wedding. I know lots of people would say don't invite them but we (for a number of reasons) want them to be with us. I am looking to find ways to amuse them, particularly during the meal. We can't afford an entertainer so I was hoping to create a little pack in a gift bag with bits and pieces to keep them entertained.

However, not having children myself, I have no idea what to put in! My only idea was colouring books or a digital camera to do a photo hunt. Ages range from 1-11 and I was hoping to keep it as money saving as possible!

So, if anyone has any ideas of ways to keep kids amused in confined spaces on a low budget and with minimal mess - I am all ears!

Thanks in advance.

wokkies

some people hire a boucy castle, quite cheap for a day, get the adult siz one and the adults can join in too, apart from that, colouring books for the little ones with colours, someone will be able to come up with some fab suggestions I'm sure:D

bathbabe

Hi Rachel85

We also had quite a number of kids at our wedding, and wanted to make sure they were entertained. We went to several £1 shop type stores, and collected up colouring books / pencils /sticker books/ craft-type bits (not those that needed glue or paint though!) and could therefore pick up things appropriate for different ages. I think the most popular with the boys was the "secret spky" kit, with an invisible ink pen - kept them entertained the whole way thorugh! Supermarkets are another good place to look for cheap bits.
HTH, and enjoy the big day!

hev_2

At DS's christening I checked with the venue and designated a corner where there would be crayons, colouring books etc (The Works and Matalan were brilliant). I found one kind and child loving soul who agreed to just supervise enough to make sure crayon didn't get on the walls (other supervision was down to the parents who are great). This was thanks to a tip on the Special Occasions board.

There was plenty of space for them to run round in, and it was only a few hours, so I would definitely consider something like 'this is the running round area' - especially if the kids are going to get tutted at for just playing.

The kids had a great time, they enjoyed themselves, they had enough distractions for regular quiet time not just running around all the time and I got variety so that a range of ages could enjoy. Perhaps you could ask if the kids could draw you a pic as a wedding present - it would make a nice souvenir.

Have a wonderful day, hope it goes well.

miemie

Hi at my own wedding i gave all the children bags with colouring books, little toys, sweets etc these seemed to keep the children entertained, What was really good was a Tractor money box that we had bought our pageboy as a thankyou present, he spent most of the day going around all the guests rattling it and the more people had to drink the more they put in it, he made a fortune. Hope you have a fab day.

iieee

We had lots of children at our wedding ranging from age 4 to teenagers, and as they all knew each other we seated them together on one table. We put out some little notebooks, colouring pencils and stickers. But my best buy was a balloon pump and modelling balloons (you know those long thin ones that party entertainers use), purely because it was going cheap in a local toy shop, and they absolutely loved that! They were all making each other balloon hats and all sorts.

Disposable cameras are good for keeping them busy too, you do get some strange pictures back mind.

claireandella

Went to a wedding last week and my little one loved the bubbles that another mum took! She had a pot for each of her kids and also a bubble machine. the kids loved it and the bubbles made an interesting alternative to confetti!

kazwookie

balloons
colouring books
crayons
pencils
dot to dot type books
stickers
older kids a cheap book on origami (sp) and some coloured card
paper hat making
try the local paper and see if there is a kids entertainer who is cheap, who could come for a couple of hours
puppet show
Ask your friends who do have kids what sort of thing they do for quite games at parties.
Ask the parent of the kids coming to the wedding for ideas.

Have a wonderful day

moo2moo

ELC do mini magnetic funny face thingies
http://www.elc.co.uk/toy-42596?&category=530&age=none&price=0-10&els=none&filter=filter&parent_category_id=530

Theres a version where you draw a picture and wipe it out again - a mini version of the Tomy Megasketcher, you can also buy mini etchasketch, Magnadoodle

Drawing is a great idea but I'd stay away from anything that could ruin clothes or table cloths.

vixarooni

Why dont you let the parents of the children look after them?

Just an idea, but at least its free and will cost you nothing!

Fleago

vixarooni wrote: »

Why dont you let the parents of the children look after them?

Just an idea, but at least its free and will cost you nothing!

I'm glad you said that, vixarooni! I was reading the thread and was gobsmacked that brides now seem to have to be worried about making sure that the children of guests have things to entertain them! Not to mention the additional expense it puts them to.

I must be a right miserable old Victoria Meldrew, but really, what's wrong with the children sitting at the table under the supervision of their parents and eating their meal nicely and then joining in the dancing and fun when that starts?

Sorry, I'll get me coat!

Hope your day is a glorious and happy one Rachel, no matter how you end up deciding to corral the youngsters on the day.