Engaged takes a look into planning a wedding with kids on the guest list: Here are some treats and activities to keep every youngster entertained during your special night.
By Michaella Lesieur
Activities & Entertainment
Bubble Mania
Buy each child a bottle of bubbles and have them line up in the entryway of where the bride and groom will be entering. When the newlyweds enter have the kids blow bubbles upon the special arrival.
Dancers Take Stage
Let all the kids take the floor for a special dance. One rule: No adults allowed. Only the kids can get down and funky during a special song selection for all the princesses and princes. It is a perfect way to get all the kids together in one spot and a special time when they can shine. Make sure the photographer and videographer is around, and that the DJ is in on it.
Insider’s Tip: Jennifer Lima Photography specializes in capturing life’s most unforgettable moments consider using her talent to help you photograph the day.
Play Photographer
Have the kiddies decorate a photo album and camera as a keepsake, in which he or she can place all the special photographs inside. Have a disposable camera for the kids to go around and play photographer. You never know what type of memory he or she will capture. Here is a great example.
A Hunt for the Scavengers
You can put together a scavenger hunt of wedding day fun and let the kids to run around and check each item off when found. The top three can win a prize. It does not have to be expensive, just something simple, such as a fun read.
Coloring Fun
Create a coloring table filled with intricate and easy coloring books for guests of all ages to enjoy. Parents, teens and children will love to color inside the adventures of a coloring book.
Insider’s Tip: Bring the beauty of Rhode Island to life with a RI inspired coloring book for the occasion. You can find one the kids will love here.
Favors
Entertainment Bag
Create a special treat to keep the kiddies entertained with a kid friendly goodie bag, filled with mini snacks and games to keep the little ones entertained. Crossword puzzles, word searches, mini puzzles, mini coloring books, goldfish, peanut butter crackers and Smartfood popcorn along with a juice box are just some of what the kids will look forward when opening the bag.
Insider’s Tip: The options on how to design the bag are endless and can even be swapped to a basket or box. Here is one cute idea you can find when exploring Etsy, in which you can make it personal to each child.
Food
Finger Food
When creating your wedding menu inquire about finger foods fit for the kids. Anything from chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, french fries, green beans, carrots, orange slices and so on will have the kids loving to dip and dive into dressings and sauces on the side.
Buffet for the Littles
If having a buffet style dinner, see if you can arrange a separate buffet for the little ones. Some favorites include chicken, pasta with red sauce, meatballs, mac and cheese, sliders, pizza, mixed vegetables, raw veggies and dipping sauce, fresh cut fruit or fruit cups.
Insider’s Tip: Wright’s Farm Restaurant caters to many events and can help you to select menus which will appeal to the pickiest of eaters.
Sweet Tooth
Be Your Own Baker
On the side of your wedding cake have kids decorate cupcakes he or she can devour. Not only is it creative but fun and engaging. A special touch which will allow the little bakers to learn how to decorate a cake on a smaller level.
Insider’s Tip: For inspiration check out a sweet bakery located here.
Ice Cream Sundae Bar
If your wedding is in the middle of the dog days of summer provide a chilly delight with a create your own ice cream sundae bar. Kids will love to pick favorites such as chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream and sprinkle jimmies, nuts and m and m’s, with a swirl of whipped cream and drizzle of hot fudge and a cherry on top.
Insider’s Tip: Get creative and select toppings to go with your wedding theme. Try some local creamery favorites such as Gray’s Ice Cream, which dishes up pints of homemade creamy delights.
Supervision
Gather the Sitters
Ask your wedding party or guests for a favorite family babysitter and gather them up for a day of supervision. Let parents relax and save yourself the hussle and bussle of keeping the young guests at your party entertained. By hiring a few of your family and friends babysitters the kids will be able to enjoy the night even more. Not only will the kiddos have the one on one attention but will have someone to help them with all the fun activities, while the parents can enjoy your big night.
If you need help finding some sitters check out some of Rhode Island’s best babysitters here.