Childcare at reception

Balapuri

have any of you had a kids room? If so, for how long? I don't have the option of not inviting kids but want parents to be able to talk and dance.

[Deleted User]

What do you mean you don't have the option of not inviting children? Are your parents paying for the wedding?

Let the parents arrange for the childcare themselves. We did not have a childcare room at our reception and the children we had behaved just fine. No problems or issues.

Magdala9

We set up a children's table in an alcove with crayons and coloring books and legos.  There were only 6 kids invited to the wedding and each was given a small bag with their very own crayons, coloring book, sketchpad and small box of legos.  The alcove was out of sight of the main dance floor but not far from where the parents were sitting.  The kids loved having a space of their own.  The kids in this case were ages 6 to 10.  They spent part of the evening dancing with the grownups and part of the evening coloring or racing lego cars with each other. 

jessicabessica

If you have a kids room, you will need to have supervision, and some parents may not feel comfortable leaving their kid with a stranger.  I like the idea of having kids' activities and a kids' table at the reception, so their parents can watch them, but the kids will have other things to do if they get bored.  How many kids do you think will attend, and how old? 

trix1223

Parents know how to sit and talk with their children around.  They do it all the time.  I don't think a separate kids' room is necessary.  But if you do have it, it needs to be supervised.  It's also an extra expense for you.

Give each kid a little goodie bag, and it will be fine.  GL

Summer2011Bride

I don't think a separate room is necessary. Like PP's said, you'd need supervision and many parents aren't comfortable leaving their children with a stranger. Give them an activity/coloring book if you want and leave it at that. Some parents may choose to hire a sitter and not even bring their children.

aegrish

I wouldn't leave my kid in a separate room at a wedding.  Have a table in the reception room.  I've seen it done several times at receptions and its always a hit with the kids.  Why banish them away to another room?  you may as well not invite them then!

brianabrad

I've heard of people using a separate room and hiring a baby sitter. One of the venue I looked at had an extra room they actually advertised for that usage. They had a TV and DVD combo so the kids could watch movies and had a table for crafts, etc.

However, in my experience I think a lot of kids like to be in the main area with the adults. They enjoy dancing and having funny too. We do plan to do activity bags for the kids at our reception. We only have 4 kids attending. We will do a coloring book, crayons, a small toy and maybe a few snacks like animal crackers and juice box per bag.

Gigs110

i don't believe in putting them in a separate room like it been stated no point of inviting them. i love the idea of activities at the table i would deff sit them at the far corner of the room but i highly doubt that they will make a ruckus and who knows maybe the parents will want a night out to them selves and leave them home.