Fun Ways to Keep Kids Entertained at Your Wedding

Brides and grooms who embrace the kids that will be attending the celebration think of them throughout the wedding-planning process. Keep the ages of children attendees in mind when choosing activities and toys and treats – some may be dangerous for kids under three, and consider hiring a babysitter or professional entertainer in certain cases. Babies will likely sleep through the ceremony and older children can usually handle sitting still, but hiring help may ensure you won’t have to worry about an antsy toddler pulling attention away from the vow exchange.

Photo by Laurie Bailey Photography; Planning & Design by Linda Howard Events; From Real Wedding: 50th Anniversary Party + a Surprise Vow Renewal in Beverly Hills

In many cases, choosing just a few activities, foods, and games that are appealing to children will help them have just as much fun at your wedding as the adults. While the grown-ups will be satisfied mingling, the children will be happy to have alternative things to do. Whether you supply coloring books or games, it’ll keep them occupied during the dinner and toasts as well.

From pre-wedding goodie bags curated specifically for kids, to child-friendly wedding fare and desserts throughout the reception, to special favors and games, there are countless ways to make sure kids enjoy every part of your wedding day. Passed appetizers aren’t always kid-friendly, so consider offering some snacks for your younger guests to enjoy so they don’t get cranky. Remember that the open bar isn’t quite as exciting for them either, so make sure there is juice or even mocktails like a Shirley Temple for them to enjoy.

You may also consider creating a kids' corner! Your venue may have a spare room for the little ones to hang out in – if so, it’ll be easier for the babysitters to wrangle everyone, and they can watch movies or play around if they have too much energy for an activity book. Even if there’s not a full room, you can section off an area of your venue space or tent with piping and drapes. If your reception is outdoors, an area with lawn games, bubbles, and other distractions will keep the kids occupied while still keeping them in their parents’ line of sight.

No matter which direction you decide to go, here are 19 ways to entertain kids at your wedding, with many of these ideas also appealing to adult guests who are kids at heart:

1. Children's Goodie Bags

We've all heard of welcome bags for guests filled with the bride and groom's favorite local treats, a wedding itinerary, and more. But how about welcome activity bags for your younger guests? Include everything from custom coloring books that tell your love story, crayons, tons of kid-friendly desserts like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, and whatever else you and your groom loved as kids.

Photo by Corbin Gurkin Photography; From Real Wedding: Pink Summer Destination Wedding in Lake Como, Italy

2. Water Gun Ceremony Favors

In lieu of a traditional rice, petal, or confetti toss during your ceremony, provide outdoor wedding guests with miniature water guns instructing them to fire away as the bride and groom are pronounced husband and wife. This unique send off will be enjoyed by kids and adults, alike, at your vow exchange.

Photo by Vue Photography; From Real Wedding: Southern Lake House Wedding with Ivory & Green Color Palette

3. Kid-Friendly Drinks

While your over-21 guests will be looking forward to trying out your signature cocktails and tray-passed Champagne, be sure to have some non-alcoholic beverages available for kids. Fresh-squeezed lemonade is a classic favorite that will never go out of style. 

Photo by Kelly Kollar Photography; From Real Wedding: Alfresco Ceremony & Tented Reception in New Jersey

4. Add Twirly Straws to Beverages

To make kid-friendly drink stations even more fun, have children attendees choose from a variety of crazy, twisty straws in vibrant colors to add to their beverages. 

Photo by Paul Barnett Photographer; From Real Wedding: Colorful Celebration with Sentimental Touches

5. Choose Children-Approved Snacks

Throughout the cocktail hour, it's okay to have some gourmet selections, but be sure to include at least a couple hors d'oeuvres that everyone – including kids will love. Mac and cheese bites served in spoons provide a sophisticated twist on the classic favorite in easy-to-eat portions. 

Photo by Elizabeth Solano; From Real Wedding: Seaside Wedding at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach

6. Have a Fun Kids' Table

When Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza wed in Mexico, they made sure to have a fun kids' table complete with streamers and pink-and-white piñatas that doubled as both centerpieces and favors. Other kids' table ideas include lining the table with butcher paper for kids to draw on throughout the reception!

Photo by Kevin Weinstein Photography; From Real Wedding: Mario Lopez & Courtney Mazza's Destination Wedding in Mexico

7. Pass French Fries

To keep kids entertained throughout the wedding reception, it's important to keep refueling them with delectable snacks. Have servers pass around paper cones filled with French fries on the dance floor. This will be appreciated by both kids and adults in attendance!

Photo by Chrisman Studios; From Real Wedding: Gorgeous Alfresco Garden Wedding in Bel Air, California

8. Personalize Popcorn Paper Cones

For a "healthier" option, fill paper cones with your favorite popcorn. This will give kids an extra burst of energy without filling them up too much and making them fall asleep on the dance floor. Personalize paper cones with your names and wedding date for an additional surprise!

Photo by Millie Holloman Photography; From Real Wedding: Navy Blue, Gold, and Ivory Wedding at Duke University

9. Offer Vintage-Inspired Sweets

Have servers carry vintage-inspired candy trays throughout the cocktail hour or reception. Fill trays with modern favorites and old-fashioned sweets, and be sure to label each selection, so that the kids – and adults – at your party know what they're getting themselves into for those unfamiliar specialty sweets.

Photo by Samuel Lippke for The Day; From Real Wedding: Destination Wedding in Bali with Eastern & Western Traditions

10. Incorporate S'mores Into Favors

It's no secret that kids love s'mores. Incorporate this childhood favorite into your wedding favors by offering marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate in cute packaging labeled with "Let's Have S'more Fun."

Photo by Adam Barnes; From Real Wedding: Rustic-Inspired Waterfront Wedding in Small Town Maryland

11. Have a S'mores Station

After the cake has been cut, invite kids and the rest of your guests to a s'mores station during the reception or after-party. Choose marshmallows in your wedding colors, have chocolate bars prepared in the right sizes, and break graham crackers to ensure the children at your reception can easily create their own tasty treats.

Photo by Meg Perotti; From Real Wedding: Colorful Outdoor Wedding at Northern California Ranch & Winery

12. Serve Plenty of Cupcakes

The look on this boy's face is proof that kids love cupcakes. Since kids may not love the fancy wedding cake flavor you and your groom selected, make sure you have an alternative on hand. Cupcakes in simple flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and even Funfetti ensure you won't have screaming kids at your reception.

Photo by lunaphoto; From Real Wedding: Organic Oceanside Wedding in Malibu, California

13. Offer a Take-Home Candy Bar

A candy bar is a fun activity for both kids and adults. Available throughout the reception, the sweet treats can also be taken home as wedding favors – just be sure to place personalized bags emblazoned with your names and wedding date at the table. Challenge: choose candies and sweets in the hues of your wedding color palette!

Photo by Handeland Tesoro Photography; From Real Wedding: Romantic Ocean-View Wedding in Santa Barbara, California

14. Cookies & Milk Toast

During the wedding toasts, adults will be sipping on Champagne! Instead of offering sparkling cider or juice to kids throughout these toasts, give them cookies and milk! The favorite treat will keep them entertained throughout long speeches and make them feel included during this particularly "adult" portion of the evening.

Photo by KingenSmith; From Real Wedding: Chicago Private Club Wedding with Whimsical Details

15. Two Words: Ice Cream

Kids love ice cream. After cake, have servers pass around pre-scooped ice cream cones in kid-friendly flavors like vanilla and mint chocolate chip. Another option is to have an ice-cream station where kids can pick their favorite toppings and ice cream flavors and have them mixed together on a cold marble stone.

Photo by Carasco Photography; From Real Wedding: Bride Wears Custom Ines Di Santo Gown at Glamorous Chicago Wedding

16. Milkshakes

Refreshing chocolate milkshakes served in shot glasses and topped with whipped cream provide guests of all ages with a quick treat. Serve milkshakes throughout the cocktail hour for kids, or offer the creamy treats to revelers on the dance floor.

Photo by KingenSmith; From Real Wedding: Chicago Private Club Wedding with Whimsical Details

17. Gumball Prizes

Fill glass jars with gumballs and Tootsie Rolls that kids will adore! Include these favorites at your sweets station, or serve them in a specialty kids' tent during the reception. You can also offer bags of these candies as prizes for games that involve children during the wedding, such as guessing the answers to trivia questions about the bride and groom's love story. 

Photo by Brett Matthews Photography; From Real Wedding: Romantic Fairy-Tale Castle Wedding in New York

18. Toy & Game Favors

Keep kids entertained throughout the wedding reception by passing our popcorn tubs filled with crayons, Play-Doh, coloring books, Legos, and Hello Kitty treats! Send children home with these bins as favors, or give them to the kids' table once dinner has been served and adults are enjoying time on the dance floor.

Photo by Lawrence Crandall Photography; From Real Wedding: Film-Themed Wedding at The Kodak Theatre

19. Photo Booth!

Fun for kids and guests of all ages, a photo booth will keep everyone entertained throughout the reception! Have attendees choose from a variety of fun props and watch how the kids make funny faces and create life-long memories of your special day. 

Photo by Walters & Walters; From Real Wedding: Classic Country Club Wedding in North Carolina

Browse InsideWeddings.com for more tips on how to involve children in the wedding, etiquette tips for choosing whether to have a child-friendly or child-free wedding, and how to prepare for badly behaved kids at your ceremony or reception. Then check out our Flower Girls & Ring Bearers photo gallery to see some of the cutest kids who have graced our pages and online weddings!