Child’s Play: Keeping the Young Ones Entertained at Your Wedding

“Including children at weddings can be so lovely, but long periods of sitting still can be difficult for kids—and their parents,” says Nora Sheils, owner of Bridal Bliss. Together with Bridal Bliss coordinator Katy Haley, the two dreamed up the ultimate gift box for keeping the junior set from taking the party from merriment to meltdown.

“We love creating boxes for each little guest to make them feel special,” says Sheils. A custom booklet designed by Brittany Hampton of Letters and Dust in Portland features scavenger hunts, coloring pages, word scrambles and mazes, along with monster-themed pens. “There are a plethora of activities outside of cutting a rug on the dance floor and toys that the little ones in your life will love, like a mini Etch A Sketch, instant camera and bubbles. You can never go wrong with markers or a classic game like jacks!”

Waiting for the buffet table to open might prove impossible for famished tots, so opt for a bento box made especially for kiddos. Caterer White Pepper of Portland put together kid-friendly finger foods, including carrot sticks with a white bean dip, fruit, colorful macarons and Pinterest-worthy mini Babybel cheese wheels cut to look like ladybugs. Delightful!

1. Tin lunch box, $12.99; Instax camera, $59.99; Pustefix bubbles, $3; all from Amazon. Etch A Sketch, $9.99, from Thinker Toys

2. Custom activity book, $5, Brittany Hampton of Letters and Dust

3. Catered bento box, prices start at $5 for kids’ meals and Babybel cheese with purchase of full catering menu, from White Pepper

4. Monster pens, $4.99, from Cost Plus World Market

5. Custom water bottle label, $.50, Brittany Hampton of Letters and Dust

6. Jacks, $6; top, $1.99; both from Thinker Toys