If children are on your guest list and you have decided to invite kids to your wedding, keeping them entertained could be the secret sauce to ensuring parents are stress-free at your wedding. Providing a few fun-filled activities to keep children entertained at your wedding can be relatively inexpensive and will help prevent them getting bored, running off or generally getting into bother. Here are ten fun and thoughtful ways to keep children entertained at your wedding, ensuring a wonderful experience for all your guests.
1. Children’s Activity Table
2. Giant Garden Games
If you are having a barn wedding, garden wedding or have access to a safe, outdoor space, create a play area with classic lawn games such as a giant tumble tower, connect 4, yoyos, hopscotch and a ring toss. You can even add a bubble machine or a bubble-blowing station - remember that simple, traditional games are often a hit with kids.
3. Children’s Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt is an exciting way to keep kids entertained and engaged. Hide small treats, toys or clues around the venue and give each child a map or hints to follow. It’s an interactive adventure that can keep kids happily occupied for a good portion of the day. Your stationery designer could even design clue cards to match your wedding stationery and styling.
4. Movie Lounge
Set up a cosy movie area with bean bags and pillows. Ask your venue if there is a TV screen or projector that you could borrow or hire. Add a little popcorn and juice boxes and you will keep children entertained at your wedding with their own mini movie theatre. This is also a great way of keeping little ones occupied during your speeches!
5. Craft Corner
A kids' craft station at your wedding can be a game-changer for keeping little guests entertained while adding a splash of creativity to the day. Set up a dedicated table with supplies for fun, easy crafts like kits for making friendship bracelets, peg people or decorating a photo frame. You could even include wedding-themed projects like ‘decorate your own mini wedding cake’ with paper crafts or ‘design your own wedding crown.’ This setup lets kids dive into creative play, keeping children entertained at your wedding, and giving them something lovely to take home as a souvenir. Best of all, parents will appreciate the thoughtfulness—and maybe even enjoy a moment to relax!
6. Children’s Wedding Entertainers
Hiring a children’s wedding entertainer, like a magician, face painter, or balloon artist, can add an extra layer of fun and excitement. These performers provide interactive entertainment that keeps kids focused and happily engaged. It’s especially great during transition times, like before the ceremony or between courses at dinner.
7. Photo Booth with Props
Setting up a photo booth with fun, kid-friendly props like hats, oversized glasses, and feather boas allows children to play dress-up and capture their own memories. Consider adding a Polaroid camera or disposable cameras for kids to snap their photos - it’s a fun and interactive way to keep children entertained at your wedding, and the whole family will love seeing instant results! They could even make a scrap book using the fun photos too.
8. Host a Kids’ Dance Off
Before the main dance floor opens, consider a child-friendly dance segment with popular children’s songs. From nursery rhymes to movie sound tracks and popular chart music, this is a fantastic way to help them burn off some energy. You could set up a smaller dance floor in a cosy corner of the reception area with some bright, colourful lights, a bubble machine, or even a few disco balls. Add props like inflatable guitars, glow sticks, and feather boas to encourage little ones to join in and show off their best moves.
9. Children’s Soft Play Area
Soft play is always a hit and fun for all ages! There are lots of wedding hire companies offering children’s soft play for weddings. The children’s entertainment area can include padded climbing frames, ball pits, tunnels, and foam blocks and there are lots of colour schemes available to complement your wedding styling. You could also add mini teepees and children’s bench seating for enjoying snacks and treats.
10. Children’s Goodie Bags for Weddings
Goodie bags are always well received, so why not fill a customised tote bag with toys, colouring pages, puzzles and snacks to enjoy at the kids’ table. For outdoor or rustic weddings, consider adding bubbles, mini-games, or scavenger hunt cards to keep them engaged with the venue's surroundings.
Providing entertainment for children at your wedding is a small little touch that can have maximum impact on your wedding day, creating fun activities to occupy your youngest guests. By tailoring the contents to your wedding theme and the children's ages, you can keep them entertained and add a personal touch they’ll remember. It’s a win-win for kids and parents at your wedding.