Pillow forts and welcome bags: 12 ways to entertain kids at your wedding

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Having a kid-friendly wedding but don't want all your parent guests to have to miss out on adult wedding fun? Here are some hacks to keep the kiddos entertained, happy, not hangry, and able to nap if needed.

Actually, that sounds like what adults might like, too, now that we mention it. Mmm... mid-party nap. Anyway, let's get to the kid-friendly fun!

Their own kids tables

Putting kids into their own areas/tables can be one way to give them peers with whom to chill and allow you to make fun activity areas that are out of the way of the adult areas.

Game centerpieces

Having kick-ass, kid-friendly centerpieces will encourage kids to make their own fun right at the table.

Kids welcome bag/lunch boxes

In lieu of game/activity centerpieces, you could provide each child with their own little welcome bag with favors, coloring books, crayons, or whatever fun tidbits they might like.

Napping tent/pillow forts

The reality of most weddings is that kids may end up past their bedtime after a long day of overstimulation. Cue the napping pillow forts! Just try to keep the adults from crashing in there first.

Camera scavenger hunt

Disposable cameras (or just checkbox-style) can make for an awesome I-Spy game.

Feel free to use our Minglo printable templates to make this super easy.

Activity books

Check out this wedding coloring sheet from Lisa and Bill's '80s-themed wedding and this huge activity book from Nick and Melaina's wedding. You absolutely don't have to create your own, but if you've got the time, give it a go. Otherwise, stock up on coloring/activity books from your local dollar store.

Games

We've covered so many types of games in past years that I'm just going to leave our archives here. So many ideas, so little time! Think video games, board games, lawn games... whatever fits your venue best.

Book/movie corner

If you've got a space that's slightly quieter at your venue, feel free to bring in a laptop for movies and a stack of books to entertain the more low-key kids.

Kid-friendly foods

For their kid-friendly wedding, Joy said that a friend of theirs cut out heart-shaped PBJs, a little nod to make the kiddos feel extra welcome. Grab some heart-shaped cookie cutters and spruce up those sammies.

Other options for kid foods include candy buffets, finger foods, dippable veggies, s'mores, cake pops, and popsicles.

Kids favors and photo booth props

This is your opportunity to snag a bunch of glow necklaces, "yay" flags, ribbon wands, and other fun toys for little and big kids alike.

Lori and Desi said this about their props for the kids:

There were daisies, crazy glasses, mustaches, Pez dispensers, butterflies, glow-sticks, swords, crazy straws, and pinwheels.

Professional entertainers

Have a cushier budget? Invest in a magician, a non-creepy clown, a musical act, balloon animal maker, face painter, hypnotist, ventriloquist, or caricaturist.

Hire babysitters

Do what Earhya and Robert did and hire a wedding babysitter to keep the kiddos wrangled. Grab a pair of your favorite, responsible teenagers or go with some hired pros. Either way, you'll be letting your guests relax a wee bit more than they would have otherwise. And that's never a bad thing.