Photography: The Shank Tank
We know kids are prone to tantrums, yelling and running amok, and weddings seem to be the perfect setting for all of the above to happen. As cute and precious as they are, including children at weddings is great but it can be challenging. The trick to dealing with little ones — give them something to do and make sure they're happy doing it, so here are eight ways to keep them entertained, contented and meltdown-free.
Play games: If you're having an outdoor wedding and the venue has some space, incorporate a few fun games for kids like a scavenger hunt, ring toss over recycled bottles, Twister, hula hoops or pin-the-veil/bowtie on a sketch of the newlyweds. If your wedding is indoors, the kids could play Jenga, Monopoly or retro card games like Snap or Happy Family.
Feed them: While you can impress guests with fancy canapés and cocktails, most kids are pretty easy to please if there are bites that appeal to their palates. Have a small table of kid-friendly food like sausages, chicken wings, cheese balls, spaghetti with meat sauce. You could add fun garnishes to the food and dress up the table too so it blends with your decor. Oh and don't forget the desserts! Note: Check with parents if their kids have any food allergies prior to planning the children's menu.
Colour-Me-happy: Have a designated kids' table where you line it with paper in place of a tablecloth. Place arts and crafts supplies such as cups of colour pencils and crayons, stickers, ribbons, play dough or kinetic sand and let them create away! Alternatively, provide colouring books at the tables where kids will be with their parents (there are downloadable kids' colouring books too if you're on a budget or want to add a personal touch). Note: Avoid giving kids markers or paints to avoid any accidents with any of the well-dressed guests or even worse, the bride!
Goodie bags: You can find lots of fun stuff at novelty stores that don't cost a lot. Put together in a bag a selection of snacks, juice packs, mini puzzles or small toys they need to assemble, bubbles, glow sticks, yo-yos, colouring pencils and activity books.
Kiddy photo-booth: Set up a small one with props that kids can have fun with. Colourful buntings, oversized sunglasses, balloons, cute signs will keep them busy for a while. Save money on a professional photographer by getting a friend to take the pictures and you can print them at the event with a simple printer.
Play room: If you've got an extra hotel room for your entourage just to freshen up or if the venue has a private dining room that's not in use that day, you could let parents take their kids there to calm them down or run around a little. If there's a TV, you could play some cartoons or if most of the kids are older, set up a Playstation or Wii console for them.
Dance-off: If you have a DJ at your wedding, have a fun dance competition where the kids can release their pent-up energy.
Hire professionals: If you're expecting quite a number of kids and have budget to spare, hire a face painter or balloon sculptor. You'll be amazed at how long kids are willing to queue up for these activities.
