There are some things you can do to help keep kids occupied and under control
The decision to have children attend a wedding isn’t always an easy one. If you’ve decided that you want to invite kids to your reception it is helpful to make the occasion more child-friendly. There are some things you can do to help keep kids occupied and under control. Planning ahead is critical and it is essential to enlist the help of a willing friend to coordinate the activities and to oversee the children at the reception.
Food
If you’re going to host children at your wedding dinner it is a nice idea to provide a kid-friendly menu option for them. Kids between the ages of about 2 and 10 should be given a special dinner plate. Some good options for kid’s meals include chicken fingers, hamburgers, and macaroni and cheese. Consult with your caterer ahead of time to decide on a good option. Provide a head count of the number of children that will be in attendance and give the caterer a seating chart so they will be properly served.
Music
Get with your DJ ahead of time to choose several children’s songs that you would like played at your reception. Add these songs to the playlist and have the DJ announce special kid’s dances before playing them. The kids will have a ball dancing to cute kids songs that they know. Dancing is a great way for kids to get rid of some pent up energy, especially after sitting through a long dinner. Provide a special dance floor section for the little ones so they will have a space of their own and won’t interfere with the adults who are trying to dance.
Keeping Kids Occupied
Kids are energetic and have a short attention span. It important to take this fact into consideration when you plan your wedding reception. Have a friend help coordinate by gathering some toys and games that can be brought to the reception hall. Set up a corner area with these toys and games as well as blankets and even a television with some kids DVDs. If you’ll have a lot of kids present consider hiring a babysitter to watch over the kids as they play. This will be a big relief to parents who want to have some of their own fun at your party. Get a child-size table and chairs and some wedding-themed colouring books to give kids activities.