Tips for Making Your Wedding More Kid-Friendly

Weddings can be difficult for children. Even the reception can be hard for children to sit through. But there are some things you can do to help make your wedding more kid-friendly -- that is, if you are allowing your guests to bring their children.

Have a children's area

This is, perhaps, one of the best things you can do to make your wedding more kid-friendly. A children's area can be a way to allow children to be together and socialize with others of their own age. There are plenty of child sized chairs and tables that you can set up for the children. It is also a good idea to cover the tables with white paper. Have crayons scattered about and readily available. This way the children can draw pictures and amuse themselves. Additionally, for table decorations, consider more kid friendly items, such as artificial flowers and electric candles, rather than real tea lights. You can even put small bottles of bubbles on the table for the children to blow, if you like.

Another thing you can do is encourage parents to bring their children's toys. This way, the kids have something to do beyond color and blow bubbles. A suggestion of one or two toys is a good idea. The children can swap and share with each other as well.

Children's food

It may seem like a little extra work, but it can be a good idea to have children's food at the wedding. Children do not want to eat the same kinds of foods grown ups eat. Instead of salad, asparagus spears, french beans or some other elegant vegetable, have baby carrots at the children's table. Apple slices are also favorites for children. For the entree, consider such items as chicken fingers or nuggets. Small children also like pasta noodles (forgo the sauce, though). French fries and tater tots are also perennial favorites for children. Dessert need be nothing more than small cookies or wafers. Choose foods that can be easily eaten without adult help, and food that is less likely to make a mess. This is the type of food that children are likely to eat.

It does take a little extra planning, but if you intend to allow children at your wedding, it is best to take the steps that are likely to keep the children happy, amused and less likely to knock something important -- like the wedding cake -- over.