What to do with the children!

[Tiredprobably]

We are hoping to have a low key relaxed wedding next year and fingers crossed for nice weather for an outdoor reception afterwards. We have a 2 year old and lots of our friends have children, we want them all to come and have fun so I'd like some ideas to help the parents out but also make the children have a nice day too? I know it's a long day for children so maybe an entertainer for a little bit or games?? Any ideas very welcome thanks

[rubyslippers]

Crèche with a couple of baby sitters

Party bags with none messy stuff in but deffo crayons and colouring books

Snacks

[Coops79]

Entertainer definitely if you can afford it. Then party bags on the tables with bubbles, colouring books... I had plasticine at my wedding for kids to make cake toppers for our cake - kept them quiet for hours!

[LilRedWG]

Party bags with age appropriate stuff, DVDs, giant Jenga, entertainer?

[MrsLettuce]

Could you mange a bubble machine, bouncy castle and ball pool? Ask all the parents to bring PJs for them to change into at the reception.

Some drawing / play doh stations would be good. No cutting or sticking though.

[marriednotdead]

The bouncy castle we hired for our wedding was a real hit, more than a dozen kids aged 2-12 by the evening and it kept them happy, no mishaps.

Party bag type boxes on the table at our sit down bit (only 4 LOs at that stage) with bubbles, colouring pencils etc.

[PinkChampagneandStrawberries]

Yeah I agree with bouncy castle I attended a wedding that had one it went down very well even although by the end of the night more adults were on it than kids

[MerylStrop]

My friends had their wedding in an old barn and all the guests camped. Out in the grounds they set up a tipi and hired two playworkers to entertain and do crafts the many children. Was fab. My kids still talk about the festival wedding and the "making ladies"

[cookielove]

At my wedding in Sept (oh my god thats this year eeeK) we are having around 10 children attending ranging from 9 months - 8 years. We are having a bouncy castle for both children and adults, also party bags for the older ones and will encourage the parents to bring anything they want to entertain them.

[Svrider]

Also maybe let them bring ds, with games card
Kept my dcs entertained and gave them sone down time

[redexpat]

Bubbles! Balloons. Twister.

[HipHopOpotomus]

I went to a lovely kid friendly wedding where they had entertainers/childminders, football etc. All the children sat down to eat together at their own table inc DD who was 2.8. In the evening they set out bean bags and blankets and the children snuggled up and watch a DVD.

[DonkeyTeapot]

Good thread, something I have been wondering too, as I am getting married next year. I LOVE bouncy castles, the kids would have to fight me to get on it.

[orangepippin]

I got married last year and had 40 children come to the wedding. They ranged in age from my own dd who was 6 weeks up to 11 although the majority were between 5-8. We had a church service in our village church where all the children were amazing really well behaved and then a reception in a marquee in a field. We hired a bouncy castle and soft play set, we set up mini tent to do art and craft. We also bought lots of outdoor games like space hoppers, hula hoops ad balls. The children had a separate big table to all sit and eat on although the little ones stayed with their parents. The children all had brown paper bags of picnic style food and although they all sat down to eat together they didn't have to wait for everyone else to eat. After the food as the evening guests started to arrive they all had a party bag filled with sweets and treats to occupy them. As the evening went on many children fell asleep on chairs and those that didn't all had hog roast and hot dogs and we gave them all glow sticks to play with. I think they all enjoyed the day and it meant that the parents could relax.