Weddings are usually exciting and happy events that the couple and guests look forward to. The laughter, wedding dance, and memories remain for a long time. But weddings are not automatically successful; there are several important factors to consider when planning a wedding. While the wedding venue and food take center stage, entertainment is something you must get right to have a memorable wedding. If you have kids coming to your wedding, entertaining them becomes a bit complicated. Because they typically love new things, kids have short attention spans and require endless thrills to have a memorable experience at events. If you are confused about entertaining kids at your wedding, this article details some practical ideas to help you. You don’t have to send a “no kids” notice with the wedding invitation.
Wedding Magician
A magician performs tricks that are often a sleight of hand. Magic tricks are stunning, unbelievable, and often light-hearted. Grown-ups get pleasantly surprised when they cannot explain a magic trick; kids leave with that ”wow” look and may not stop talking about it for weeks. If you want the kids to have a lasting memory of your wedding, hire a magician to thrill them. Although the mystery is the fun part of the magic performance, there’s no harm in asking the magician to perform kid-friendly tricks. Hiring a wedding magician costs a few hundred but will add invaluable entertainment to your reception.
Wedding Storyteller
Storytelling may not be trendy for wedding entertainment, but it could be the key to creating memorable moments for your guests, especially the kids. Kids enjoy hundreds of children’s stories and hearing a professional storyteller narrate them should be worthwhile. How can you achieve this at your wedding? Have the kids sit comfortably around the storyteller, away from the main event. If your budget permits, you can create a story room, a temporary tent with cushions, a projector, and a narrator hidden in the background. Kids will remember that wedding where an unknown but gentle voice narrated the adventures of a child superhero.
Costumed/Cosplay Performer
You could hire a costumed performer or ask some older kids to cosplay at your wedding. Modern kids love their superheroes and favorite movie stars. Cosplay is a growing event entertainment partly because it is budget-friendly and often inexpensive. You can have someone create paper models of Ironman and Thor or dress up as some medieval lord and lady. Most kids don’t get to enjoy such scenes regularly, and that’s why the memories will stay with them for a long time. One trick to reduce the cost is to inform the older guest that their kids can come with their costumes. Imagine having an honor guard of Marvel’s superheroes!
Mini Reception For Kids
How about having a friendly, proper mini reception for the kids? One reason kids’ entertainment at a wedding is necessary is that kids tend to get restless and rowdy when idle. You can safely avoid that and keep them entertained by organizing a small but separate exception for them. This works fine if you are holding a garden reception. Cordon off an area and arrange seats for them. Assign a few adults and entertainers to monitor and thrill them, and ensure they get food and drinks. You could even install photo booths for them.
What’s more? At the wedding venue, you should also hand out cute unique invitations to the kids, similar to formal wedding invitations. When you send out formal wedding invitations, you tell them they are also essential guests at your wedding.
Kids’ Games
All kids love a good game anywhere, any time. Kids can wake up at night to play games; it is no different at your wedding. Kids’ games are fun, competitive, and entertaining. Here are some ideas for you:
- Coloring books
- Karaoke
- Balloons
- Ladder toss
- Checkers
- Hide and seek
- Dominoes
You don’t have to attach expensive prizes; winners can get an extra cone of ice cream or wafers. The goal is to entertain and keep them occupied, not breed unnecessary competition. It would help if you also took care not to overshadow the reception with games. The guests are there to celebrate the couple; games shouldn’t take all the time.
Fire Performer
There’s something fascinating about dancing flames. Fire performers bring thrill and fascination when they take the stage. Skilled performers can display various fire plays, from juggling several fire ticks to eating fire. Of course, you are concerned about safety. All licensed fire performers go through skilled training in their craft and also learn safety measures. They also undergo tests to ascertain their physical and mental health status. Fire performances are relatively safe. You can do your part by putting a safe distance between the kids and the performer.
Dance Groups
Hiring a dance troupe seems extra, but it might be the key to unlocking your wedding entertainment. Most couples having a folk or tribal wedding often hire dance troupes to perform a folk dance. But you can hire a modern dance group to bring the latest dancing style to the kids. Most states and many communities have dance groups that you can hire to thrill the kids. You can always reach a payment agreement that suits your budget. If you belong to a church, the kids’ choir may be happy to sing for you.
Chocolate Hunt
Chocolate is well-loved, not just by adults but possibly more by kids. Many kids may show little interest in games but become excited when a chocolate hunt comes on. How can you set up a chocolate hunt game? The game works best in gardens. A few hours before your reception, hide unique papers (tickets) or wrapped chocolates in crevices around the garden and drop hints or guides around. You can play the game in two ways:
- You don’t announce it but allow kids to find the clues and possibly the chocolates themselves
- You announce the game and give them a timeframe to find the chocolates.
Those who find tickets can redeem them for chocolates at a designated spot.
Lucky Spins
Lucky spins are fantastic for social gatherings where much fun is needed. You don’t need an elaborate setup; an available spinner works fine—set prices, such as toy pieces, ice cream, or chocolates. Because no one controls the spin, some kids may not win what they want. It is wise to ask the handler to compensate younger kids who may result in bawling. Keep the peace.
Wedding Roles
They don’t look like it, but most older kids’ idea of entertainment is to help out at the wedding. No, you are not taking advantage of them or using cheap labor. You should carefully monitor them to ensure that they don’t take on more than necessary in their enthusiasm. You should also get the consent of their parents or guardians. You can let them assist in:
- Decorating the wedding venue, tagging along the designers, or offering what help they can.
- Testing the wedding cake when you and your partner cut it. Younger kids would love that.
- Taking photos and videos to upload on social media.
You can come up with endless ideas, and the rules can all be flexible, so do what you think makes sense for you and the kids. Just don’t lose them in the process. In the end, send a small note of thanks to express your appreciation for their efforts.
