How to Entertain Kids at Your Wedding

The idea of cherubic little girls running around a barn wedding with their curls and frilly dresses billowing behind them is so appealing it feels like a Hallmark card. The reality: screaming red-faced kids careening on the dance floor faster than Usain Bolt while adult guests attempt to politely ignore them with a much-needed gin and tonic (or two).

We’ve all been to these weddings. But we’ve also been at weddings where the kids had something to do that was fun for them. “How do I entertain the kids at the reception?” is one of the most asked questions on Pinterest, so you’re not alone.

Here are some tips

• Monica Richard of Mon Amie Event Planners in Indianapolis suggests that the caterer serve the children their food during the adult’s first course. “The parents think the couple is brilliant, and the kids are so much happier to be eating earlier,” Richards said.

• How about giving the kids a dance lesson while the adults are having cocktails? You might even emphasize some “dance etiquette” to avoid some of the wild running around (good luck with that!) Make sure the music is something kids enjoy.

• A kids’ room with big comfy pillows and a TV/DVD player with a collection of movies is recommended by planner Cyndi Basker of Celebrated Events. She also likes to have a craft table or a Lego table for building/making things. Crayons, the old standby, can be used to make a large wedding card for the couple. A dress up box with tiaras, boas, ribbons, cowboy hats and pirate apparel has also been popular.

• Richards created a dance floor to look like a famous stained glass window and then give the kids replicas of the window to color. Richards of Mon Ami came up with that fabulous idea for a wedding at Indy’s Union Station. The adults even enjoyed doing some coloring!

• A very brave Pinterest planner suggested a “pudding bar” for children who want to create their own specialty dessert with toppings of their own. This would work for ice cream or cupcakes too.

• Outdoor games that might have been played by the bride and groom (or their parents) when children is a cute idea. Think hopscotch, four square, hula hoop, jump rope, jacks, etc. Again, make sure there is proper supervision as accidents can happen.

• Go to the people who know how to entertain kids: teachers. Most communities have a teachers’ supply store and this can provide tons of inspiration for your wedding day.

• Glow in the dark necklaces and wands will keep the kids happy while on the dance floor after dark.

• I used to give my daughter rolls of scotch tape while confined in the car seat. It entertained her for hours! Maybe ask kids to tape wedding images cut out from magazines to create a wedding memory. Cheap, easy and safe.

• Pipe cleaners, anyone?

• When in doubt, hire a service such as Irish Wedding Sitters to entertain your child during the wedding. And it sounds so very Mary Poppins-ish. Or course, they’re located in Ireland but it is a lovely idea.