Different type of question about kids at the wedding

dmbdbk

Children are invited to our wedding and I'm trying to think of some things that might keep them entertained if they get bored during the reception. I was thinking of getting a little coloring book and some crayons for the kids. Do you think this is a good idea? Any other ideas? Would you sit the kids at the same table as their parents or at a "kids" table? Thanks!

aMrsin09

Sit them with the parents.

I'm of the opinion it's the parents job to keep the kids entertained, so I would skip the hassle and expense.

dmbdbk

Thanks! I couldn't really remember if the kids were sitting with their parents or not at weddings I had gone to in the past. I'll just sit them with their parents.

skippylouwho

How long do you think crayons and coloring books are going to keep small children entertained given their short attention spans?  5 minutes, 10?

dmbdbk

I'm not sure how many kids are going to be at the wedding yet, but I think most of them are in the 3-8 range. Other than some coloring pages and however their parents entertain them, I don't know what else they would do if they got bored with the reception and dancing. I think I'll just put out some coloring pages and some crayons in case anyone wants them.

Lilou902

At the very least, it may keep them entertained during dinner.  After dinner they can get up and move around.  Here is what I am doing for the kids at my wedding, although the only ones invited were the ones who are in the bridal party.

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?demandPrefix=12&sku=12/2843&prodCatId=90000&mode=Browsing&erec=6&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&sp=true&Ntk=all&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&tabId=1&Ipp=16&N=90000+1506&No=0&sd=Children%26%238217%3Bs+Mini+Wedding+Activity+Sets

Although when I ordered them ,they came with more stuff and they came in the box you can find on the website.  You can always add more to it - I think I may add silly bandz to mine!!

aMrsin09

In that age range, i wouldn't worry too much about it.  The families will more than likely leave not long after dinner is finished.  A reception lasting until 11 or 12 is well past that ages bed times and they will be no be bored, but cranky and ornery.

MISSCOURTNEY20

I say get the crayons and coloring books. Better safe than sorry.

kris10royal

We're doing crayons, coloring books, puzzles, a few movies, and a few games. We have a room connected to our reception area and some of my teenaged (16 and 17 yr old) cousins volunteered to sit in there if any kids wanted to play. We decided we would probably give each $20 or so for doing it, but we have a lot of kids coming and some will be there for quite a few hours (like my son, FI's daughter, and my niece since they are in the wedding party) so we want them to have something fun to do. If your budget allows for it, go for it. But definitely sit them with their parents.

katiewhompus

We had 6 kids under the age of 4 at the wedding and they loved having the coloring pages. Their parents also brought things to do (Barbie's, cars, etc) and the venue had a lot of space where they could run around freely. They also had a lot of fun dancing with the adults to various cheesy songs.

I would definitely seat them with the parents.

angie74

we had a kids table- they didn't sit w/their parents. they were all cousins, though- no random kids. we got baskets of stuff for the centerpieces- glow in the dark toys, little games, etc.... it was great. by the end of the night, the adults were all raiding the kids table

kaederose

I definitely agree with the idea of coloring books if that's what you want to do, and I've seen some people talk about setting up a "kids area" if the venue can accomodate it.  As in, they already have an old tv and VCR, and just plugged them in with tapes for the kids to watch, or had a sitter come in and read stories for a bit, something of that nature.  That might be going a bit too far, but I know some people who have the budget for it so there's no problem there.  I don't think you'd be able to keep them entertained all night no matter what, but as others have said, that's really their parents' job so I'd shoot for being hospitable to all ages.  Whether that means seating them with parents or getting coloring books or something else is determined by what you can afford in terms of time, money and effort.

JenGin74

We had about 12 kids at our wedding ranging in ages from 18 months to 17. They sat with their parents during dinner, but I had a special table made for them with all kinds of kid-friendly things that I had picked up at Walmart for like $100.

Large sheets of blank poster paper
Crayons / markers
Checkers
Go fish
Glowy necklaces (like the kind you get at a carnival)
Fake teeth (just for fun)
Yahtzee
There were a few other things that I can't remember

When the kids got bored dancing etc., they went over to the play table and had a great time. It worked out really well.

brookelynpaisley

The day I went to visit my venue for a final walk through, the room was set up for a wedding that was very kid friendly. The bride seated the kids with their parents, but had a kids' table off to one side. She had coloring books, crayons, puzzles, teddy bears, and a bubble gum machine.

SarahNicole80

For the kids on the older side, print out easy word searches. I am a 5th grade teacher and that stuff keeps them occupied forever. Just google something like "free printable word searches" . 

ilovemysanity

I agree, seat them with their parents but I would also (as i am doing myself) set aside a few tables for some fun kid stuff. I even found really cheap precious moment placemats on ebay. The placemats have wedding crossword puzzles, tic-tac-toe, coloring etc. very cute and wedding related!

Beachy730

We didn't have anything set for kids at our wedding, and they ranged from 2-16.  We did have a photo booth though and they had a blast in that.  They probably were in it at least 5 times each and loved all the props in it.  That's definitely a splurge though.  Our kids really never got bored though and had a blast dancing all night.  I do however have a very large family so there were a few kids and lots of people they knew and had fun with. 

And I would definitely sit the kids with their parents, especially if they are young.  I could see some older kids (like 13 and up) on their own maybe, but no younger.