Weddings are boring.
OK, we don’t really think that, but try and look at a Wedding through the eyes of your four-year-old self.
All that sitting around, listening to people repeating what some bloke in a big hat says; standing up, sitting down, standing up again; singing songs you don’t know the words too and everyone seems to be crying, even though they say they’re really happy.
Then you’ve got to stand and have your picture taken, like, ten bazillion times; listen to more men making more speeches and by the time everyone starts looking like they’re going to dance around and have fun, you need a little snooze. Or a big snooze, because it’s bed time.
How are you meant to make it through all that, when all of the attention is on SOMEONE ELSE, without winging, moaning, crying or running off to find something more fun to do?
In order to avoid any screaming at the ceremony or food fights during speeches, we’ve put together a few simple ideas to keep little rascals entertained on the Big Day, so you can enjoy the really important things. Like champagne, and cake.
During the Ceremony
Provide a few things to keep kids entertained during the ceremony, so they don’t get twitchy or whinge.
Quiet activities, such as picture books or soft toys will help to distract them. Provide ushers with a selection of sugar-free sweets to hand out (we don’t want them getting hyper!) and seat families with small children towards the back and at the end of an aisle, so they can make a quick exit if needs be.
You could also get kids involved in the ceremony, by asking them to hand out programmes or distribute confetti. A sense of responsibility can help them be on their best behaviour.
During the Speeches
Little ones won’t want to sit still during the speeches, and all the grown-ups are listening intently and drinking this fizzy stuff that makes them all giggly and silly later. Provide a non-alcoholic fizzy drink that the kids can toast with at the end of the speeches; they’ll feel grown up and involved.
To keep them occupied, plain white tablecloths make an excellent surface for doodling on – your guests can write on them too so you’ll have some fun keepsakes to look back on.
Disposable cameras make for excellent wedding entertainment – provide a checklist of all the snaps they need to capture as they train to be a professional photographer!
Party Time
For adults, it’s time to unwind and enjoy drinks and food with the new family, but for little ones it’s the end of a long day.
Provide an area for the kids to play in, with some big comfy cushions, books, colouring in and even films to watch so they can drift off to sleep safely whilst mum and dad hit the dancefloor!
Keep Kids Comfy
Kit kids out for the big day by packing some snacks if they’re fussy eaters, and take a change of clothes for the evening; you don’t want their beautiful new dress or smart trousers to be ruined when they’re sliding across the dancefloor on their knees.
If you’re buying new shoes for the occasion, it can be a good idea to get them a few weeks before and let them wear them in around the house, to make sure they’re comfy and won’t distract on the day.
We’ve picked a few of our favourite kids’ occasion shoes to inspire their look for the special occasion…
Got any more tips to keep kids occupied at a Wedding or special occasion? We’d love to hear them! Comment below, or join the chat over on our Facebook page!
