Once you've made the decision to bring pint-size guests to a wedding [1], it's in your best interest (and theirs!) to keep them occupied with kid-friendly activities beyond dancing, eating cake, and catching the bouquet. We've rounded up some amazing wedding activities just for kids, including scavenger hunts and I Spy, outdoor games, and favor kits that might just keep kiddos at the table during dinner. Keep reading to check them all out!
Source: Shutterstock [2]
Play I Spy
Martha Stewart [3]'s I Spy game [4] is the perfect activity for kid wedding guests. You provide the simple-to-print card, and they keep busy searching for everything on the list.
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings [5]
Get Crafty
Set up a table with an array of art supplies — paper, paint, glitter, and more! — so kids can create a masterpiece. Make sure to provide smocks so they don't stain their tiny suits and dresses.
Photo by Cory Ryan Photography [6] via Style Me Pretty [7]
Make a Play Pack
Make up boxes, like these created by Martha Stewart [8], filled with edible treats, crayons, and small games (like a Slinky) for each kid guest. They'll love feeling like they've received their own present and will be entertained playing with their new goods.
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings [9]
Create an Activity Booklet
Martha Stewart [10] provides step-by-step directions on how to create your own kids' activity booklet [11]. Type your name and wedding date into the provided clip art, and voilà! Personalized kid fun.
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings [12]
Set Up a Corntoss Game
Etsy seller Style My Corntoss makes awesome, stylish corntoss games, including this simple silhouette version [13] ($275). Kids will take turns playing during the reception, then you can take it home with you!
Have Them Craft an Origami Sailboat
This nautical-themed craft from Krystin Marsh [14], photo stylist for flash-sale site The Foundary, would be the perfect activity for a beach wedding. You provide the materials and instructions.
Here's the how-to:
- Begin with a square piece of paper, any size.
- To make a square, fold paper diagonally, and cut off the excess paper.
- To make the boat, begin by folding one of the folded points inward toward the other side at a slight angle. The tip of the point you are folding will be the top of the boat.
- Open the square back up and do a "reverse" fold to create the sides of the boat. Your ship is set to sail!
Source: Kristin Marsh/The Foundary
Give Them Story Cards
Another great idea from Martha Stewart [15] Weddings, these printable story cards [16] are Mad Libs, wedding style. Consider also providing monogrammed pencils to amp up the wedding cuteness.
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings [17]
Build Them Their Own Space
Whether they get their own room or just a small corner of the reception space, kids will love having an adult-free zone. Decorate it with pillows in your wedding colors, and fill it with fun toys and games.
Photo by Jillian Mitchell [18] via Style Me Pretty [19]
Let Them Put On a Puppet Show
A puppet show is fun for everyone! Buy a mix of inexpensive finger puppets, or provide paper bags and crayons and let kids create their own. While adult guests are eating, kid guests can get creative!
Source: Flickr user Mark Skeet [20]
Let Them Decorate the Table
Lay a large piece of paper over the kids' table, fill a few jars with crayons, and let their creativity run wild. This way they have something to do during dinner, and you don't have to worry about them making a mess on the fancy table cloths.
Photo by We Heart Photography [21] via Style Me Pretty [22]
Create Kid-Friendly Placemats
Most experts recommend creating a kids' table at your reception for guests between 7-14 or putting younger children in a separate room (with child care, of course!). Regardless of where you decide to seat your kid guests, adding a fun placemat, like this one [23] created by the wedding geniuses at Martha Stewart [24] Weddings, provides little ones with an activity during often lengthy sit-down dinners.
Source: Martha Stewart Weddings [25]
Turn Them Into Fortune Tellers
Fortune tellers (otherwise known as cootie catchers) like these ones by 5 Orange Potatoes [26] are a great wedding activity for kids. Little ones will enjoy making their fortune tellers, and playing with them with other kid guests is sure to keep them occupied during dinner and speeches.
Source: Flickr user cogdogblog [27]
Have Them Search For Treasure
After dinner is over, pass out treasure maps, and hide some special prizes around the room next to the reception hall or outside on a lawn — scavenger-hunt style. Spray paint spare change to make it look like gold coins, or use candy prizes.
Source: Flickr user Unskinny Bunny [28]
Set Up a Bubble Station
If you're having an outdoor reception, then set up a drink dispenser filled with bubbles. Kids will love it, and just think about the adorable photo potential!
Source: Mrs. Happy Homemaker [29]
Get In the Game
Round up classic children's games — think Candy Land, Yahtzee, and Life — and set them aside for the little guests to play with.
Source: Flickr user TheBestWeddingDJEver [30]
Serve Flavored Popcorn
Creative food equals kid fun! One suggestion: serve up flavored popcorn in a popcorn bar [31]. Kids will love mixing and matching flavors and visiting the bar over and over again.
Source: Le Partie Sugar [32]
Hop to It
Kids may be scared to bust a move, but that doesn't mean they have to sit still. Set up a game of hopscotch for them to play. For an indoor reception, create a path using a sheet of fabric and some duct tape.
Source: Charlotta Ward [33]
Decorate Some Sweet Treats
Worried the kids won't eat your extravagant cake? Buy some store-bought cupcakes as well as edible decorations, and let kids make their own dessert.
Source: Flickr user Beach and Bay [34]
Hit 'Em Up!
What kid doesn't love free candy? Try to find a piñata that pulls in your colors or works with your theme.
Source: Flickr user Heather Trujillo [35]
Buy Them Play Packs
If you're only having a few kid guests, then consider buying each one a premade kid activity kit like this one [36] ($26) from Etsy seller The Little Blue Birdie. Stuffed with a chalkboard, chalk, and an eraser; a blank journal; a set of colored pencils; wood stamps and ink pads; a wooden design-your-own puzzle; a design-your-own stick puppet; and a wooden memory game, this bag guarantees hours of entertainment!