When planning your wedding, one detail many couples wonder about is how to include kids in the celebration. Whether you’re inviting nieces, nephews, or your guests’ little ones, creating a kid-friendly wedding experience can make your day more enjoyable for everyone. From fun activities to thoughtful entertainment ideas, planning ahead ensures children stay happy and engaged—so parents can relax and celebrate too. If you’re searching for the best ways to keep kids entertained at a wedding reception or ceremony, these tips will help you create a stress-free, family-friendly atmosphere.

1.) Have a Kids Table

One of the best ways to keep children happy and entertained during your celebration is by creating a designated kids’ table at your wedding. While many couples choose to seat little ones with their parents at guest tables—which is perfectly fine—it can be even more effective to give the kids their own space. A dedicated kids’ table ensures they have a spot to play, color, talk, and interact with each other throughout the evening. Having their own area helps keep them engaged, while also allowing parents to fully enjoy the reception knowing their children are entertained.

If the children are comfortable, they can even eat their meal together at this table. This can make dinner time more fun for them, especially if they can munch on appetizers or grab a few late-night snacks while they play. A kids’ table not only creates a memorable experience for the children but also contributes to a smoother, more enjoyable wedding reception for the adults.

To make your kids’ wedding table a hit, consider stocking it with fun and age-appropriate activities. Some popular options include:

Coloring books and crayons – Always a classic choice that works for kids of all ages.
Puzzles – Small, simple puzzles are perfect for keeping little hands busy.
Card games – Games like Go Fish or Uno can keep slightly older kids entertained.
Mini games – Travel-sized versions of Jenga, Connect Four, or tic-tac-toe are always a crowd favorite.
Craft supplies – Stickers, paper, and washable markers can keep the creative energy flowing.

By planning ahead and creating a fun kids’ zone at your wedding, you’re showing thoughtfulness toward your youngest guests and giving parents the chance to relax and celebrate stress-free.

2.) Include Them on the Dance Floor

Let’s face it—kids absolutely love to dance! One of the easiest ways to make your wedding more kid-friendly is by finding fun ways to get children involved on the dance floor. Giving them small props and activities can make the experience even more exciting, while also helping parents relax and enjoy the celebration.

Consider adding glow sticks, bubble guns, or light-up foam wands to your dance floor setup. These interactive items not only entertain kids but also add a vibrant, playful energy that guests of all ages can enjoy. Kids will love running around with glowing accessories, and you’ll love how it creates amazing photos and memories from the reception.

Another great way to keep kids engaged is to work with your wedding DJ to play a few kid-friendly songs early in the evening. Think Disney favorites, fun pop hits, or even classic group dances like the “Cha-Cha Slide” or “Cupid Shuffle.” By starting with upbeat, family-friendly music, you’ll get the children out on the dance floor right away—often leading the way for adults who may be a little shy at first.

The truth is, kids are usually the first to start dancing at weddings, so why not embrace it? By intentionally planning ways to include them, you’ll create a welcoming and fun reception atmosphere that feels enjoyable for all of your guests. Plus, having children on the dance floor keeps the party lively and shows that your wedding truly is a celebration for everyone.

3.) Have a Kid Friendly Drinks and Snacks

When planning a wedding, it’s easy to focus on creating a beautiful menu for your guests, but don’t forget about the little ones! Making sure kids feel included on your wedding day can be as simple as offering kid-friendly snacks and drinks throughout the celebration. While adults may love elegant hors d’oeuvres like caprese skewers, shrimp cocktail, or mini ceviche, most children probably won’t be reaching for those options. Instead, providing fun and familiar snacks ensures that your youngest guests are happy and satisfied.

Think about offering simple, grab-and-go treats that kids are used to eating. A few popular ideas include:

Mini bags of chips or pretzels – Easy to serve, no mess, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Fruit snacks or gummy bears – A sweet option that doubles as a quick pick-me-up during the reception.
Fresh fruit cups – Healthier but still tasty, with grapes, strawberries, or apple slices.
Cheese cubes and crackers – A classic kid-friendly snack that also works well for adults.
Juice boxes or fun mocktails – Drinks that feel special without being overly complicated.

By adding these kid-approved wedding snacks to your reception menu or cocktail hour, you’re not only keeping little tummies full but also reducing the chances of meltdowns caused by hunger or picky eating. Parents will appreciate your thoughtfulness, and kids will love that they weren’t forgotten in the food lineup.

If you want to take it a step further, consider setting up a mini kids’ snack station near the children’s table or play area. Stock it with pre-packaged goodies, kid-friendly drinks, and maybe even a few fun extras like animal crackers or popcorn bags. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in creating a family-friendly wedding reception where everyone—adults and children alike—feels included.

4.) Include a Photobooth

If you’re looking for one of the easiest and most effective ways to entertain kids at a wedding, a photo booth is always a winning idea. Kids absolutely LOVE photo booths, and they’ll often spend hours taking silly pictures, trying on props, and laughing with friends and family. It’s not just a fun distraction—it’s a built-in activity that keeps little ones engaged throughout the night, while also giving parents a chance to relax and enjoy the celebration.

At nearly every kid-friendly wedding with a photo booth, the kids are some of the very first to line up. Once they discover the props and fun backdrops, it’s game over—they’ll be posing, giggling, and snapping photos all evening long. In fact, many planners (and parents!) agree that children rarely leave the photo booth once they find it. If they could, they’d stay there the entire reception!

To make your wedding photo booth extra kid-friendly, stock it with playful, family-appropriate props. Some fun options include:

Oversized sunglasses and goofy hats
Feather boas, tiaras, and crowns
Superhero masks and capes
Light-up wands or glow sticks
Animal ears or funny mustaches

Not only will kids be entertained, but you’ll also end up with some adorable, candid photos of your youngest guests having the time of their lives. Plus, parents often love receiving a copy of their child’s photo strip as a keepsake.

Whether you rent a professional photo booth or create a simple DIY setup with a backdrop and props, this is one of the best family-friendly wedding ideas you can include. It keeps kids happy, creates lasting memories, and adds another layer of fun to your reception for guests of all ages.

5.) Include Some Yard Games

It’s no secret—kids can get restless at weddings if there isn’t enough to keep them occupied. While activities like a kids’ table and a photo booth go a long way in keeping little ones busy, adding a few yard games at your wedding can take the fun to the next level. Not only are these games a hit with children, but they’re also a great way to entertain guests of all ages.

If your venue has an outdoor space and the weather cooperates, yard games give kids the perfect chance to run around, burn off energy, and stay happily engaged while parents enjoy the reception. Classic options like giant Jenga or a cornhole board are always crowd favorites. These games are simple, easy to learn, and perfect for kids of different ages to play together.

Beyond those staples, you could also consider adding:

Ring toss or ladder golf – Fun, competitive, and safe for younger kids.
Connect Four (giant version) – Easy for even the smallest children to join in.
Hula hoops or jump ropes – Perfect for active kids who need a little movement.
Bubble stations – A low-cost but high-entertainment option kids never get tired of.

By incorporating kid-friendly yard games into your wedding reception, you ensure that children have plenty of ways to stay entertained. This makes the entire event more enjoyable for parents, too, since they can relax, mingle, and dance knowing their little ones are happily occupied. It’s a thoughtful, family-friendly touch that adds to the atmosphere of your celebration and keeps everyone smiling late into the evening.

Planning a wedding that welcomes guests of all ages doesn’t have to be stressful. By incorporating thoughtful touches like a kids’ table, fun snacks, a photo booth, dance floor props, and outdoor yard games, you’ll create a celebration that’s truly enjoyable for the whole family. Not only will the kids stay entertained and happy throughout the day, but their parents will also appreciate the extra effort you’ve taken to make your wedding family-friendly and stress-free. At the end of the day, keeping children engaged means everyone gets to relax, have fun, and focus on what really matters—celebrating love, laughter, and the start of your new chapter together.