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Keeping Kids Happy at the Reception
By Leah Steenstra
Most likely, you'll have kids attending the reception. With
a few special touches, you could make them the happiest age
group around. Below are a few ideas to cater to the younger
crowd.
Under-5
Hopefully, most children in this age group will be home with
a babysitter. However, if you suspect they'll be there, here
are a few things to consider:
-
Check if your reception hall has booster
seats, high chairs and diaper-changing stations. If they
don't, contact the parents to make sure they bring all
necessary supplies.
-
Seat the family with other families who
are also bringing young children. If the little tyke starts
crying, they tend to be more understanding then say, a
group of single 20-somethings. No other young kids? Seat
them with the most patient people you know.
Ages 5 - 10
If you have enough kids in this age group to fill a table,
consider seating them together. Be sure to hire a babysitter
for the table to ensure they don't join you during the father/daughter
dance or throw spaghetti at Aunt Matilda.
Below are a few more ideas for this age group:
-
If you choose to have a kid's table,
cover it with a paper tablecloth so they can draw on it.
For a centerpiece, provide a bucket of crayons, several
cartons of play-dough or travel games.
-
Check to see if your reception or catering
company offers kid's meals at a reduced cost.
-
Before the traditional bouquet toss and
garter throw for adults, have a candy toss for kids. This
way, the kid's can participate but you won't be caught
in the awkward situation of having a garter-toting, 6-year-old
boy traveling up the leg of a 30-year-old.
-
Maybe the chicken dance makes you cringe,
but kids love it!
-
For favors, send them home with candy
or a small toy. Just make sure it isn't anything they'll
choke on.
Ages 11-16
Adolescents. This is the age where a kid will walk 15 feet
behind their parents for fear of being associated with the
"most embarrassing human beings alive." Do them
a favor and seat this age group together. While you probably
don't need an adult at their table, place them at a table
next to adults who won't let them misbehave. Besides this
word of warning, treat this group as you would any adult (minus
the alcohol, of course).
Courtesy USABride www.usabride.com
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