Post # 1
Member
258 posts
Helper bee
Hi bees – I’ve got seven kids coming to our wedding, from ages 1 to 13. We’re having a three-course plated meal and I want to make it as easy as possible for them to sit through this. So I’d like to leave something for them to do at their table – my first thought was a coloring book and crayons but I figure that might only work for a few of them. I have no kids myself so have no idea what would be a good thing for the others!
Ages are a 1-year-old boy (he may be 18 months, I’m not positive), two 4-year-old boys, 6 (girl), 9 (girl), 11 (girl), and two 13-year-old boys. All suggestions welcome!!
Post # 3
Member
7638 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@midwestgirl80: It’s sweet of you to think of this, but really this it is up to their parents.
Having said that: the 9 and up kids should sit and behave for dinner, and are too old for colouring books anyway. (They might appreciate an “activity sheet” with word searches etc, but they don’t really need it. They should be mature enough to sit and eat).
The 4 and 6 year olds are probably the biggest worry, and colouring books for them wouldn’t hurt, or little toys. Though if you do toys, you’d want to give something to the 9 and 11 year olds too if they’re in the same family.
Don’t give toys to the 13 year olds though – I have a son that age and he’d be insulted. Also, the 13 year old boys will probably want adult meals.
The 18 month old will sit in his high chair or be cared for my his parents. His parents should be used to bringing little toys for him to occupy himself. If you feel like giving him something to play with, I suggest a toy car or plane. Make sure it’s “toddler-friendly”, i.e. too big for him to shove in his mouth. At that age some kids are still putting things in their mouth.
Post # 4
Member
258 posts
Helper bee
Oh geez… it didn’t even occur to me this could come across as stepping on parents toes – I thought I was doing a good thing!! Side note – I cannot wait for this wedding to be over… every well-meaning thing I seem to do gets turned around. I’ve never tried so hard to please so many people with such little success.
Anyhow, the 9 and 11’s are in the same fam, and although they are on FI’s side and I haven’t met them, rumor has it they are extremely well behaved. The two 13-year-olds are on my side, and neither is your normal 13-year-old. One is special needs and one has bipolar. Probably best I go directly to their parents to ask if there is anything we can offer them I guess.
Maybe I will get coloring books and crayons for the 4 and 6 year olds at least.
Post # 5
Member
7638 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@midwestgirl80: No no, I didn’t mean stepping on parents’ toes at all! I meant it really is the responsibility of the parents to keep their kids well behaved. When I bring my kids, I don’t expect anything to keep them occupied – but anything they do give is a bonus.
Yeah you’d need to speak to the parents of the 13 year olds, or some close relative. I don’t know enough to comment.
If the 9 and 11 year old are the only ones in their family, I’d be tempted not to give an activity-type thing. I mean an activity sheet couldn’t hurt, but it doesn’t sound required. My two girls were at a wedding at about those ages and were very well behaved. My nephews that age just play with ipads/phones when they’re bored at dinner!
Post # 6
Member
258 posts
Helper bee
Thanks for your insight! You’ve been very helpful! I’m thinking coloring books for the 4’s and 6, and leave off the 9 and 11 girls as you said- I am sure they will be fine!
Sorry, I am being hyper sensitive lately. Is this normal four weeks out from the wedding?! Haha.
Post # 7
Member
451 posts
Helper bee
Go to the dollar store or target and find those little puzzle things (wood or metal) for the older kids. If the younger ones get something they might be a little down they didn’t also. I am going to have a basket of stuff by the cupcakes so the kids can take something. We will have like 20 kids at our reception so I know I will need LOTS Of things to entertain lol
Post # 8
Member
258 posts
Helper bee
Update: We didn’t end up doing anything for the kids, and they were fine!!! One of the younger ones got a little crabby towards the end of dinner so they left early. But I doubt a puzzle or coloring book would have helped much.
In the end, I’m glad we didn’t do anything – maybe it would have been a thoughtful touch, but I think so many people were just glad we’d invited the kids at all!