Activities for Kids During Wedding Service

I got coloring books and crayons for the wedding that I and hubby were attendants in. The inlaws were not impressed and wouldn't let their Granddaughter use it since we were in a church. My son had no problem, except that during the ceremony, Grandma wasn't paying attention and my son walked up the aisle during the vows to show me his drawing. :) (Thanks Grandma!)

I would strongly suggest identifying a person to meet them at the altar and then take them to the back of the church to be entertained. I'm not sure what type of church service this will be, but even a Catholic "ceremony" without the Mass is nearly an hour! Nothing will entertain a young child for that long.

Have a box of quiet things at the back of the church where their babysitter can take them until just before the ceremony ends, at which time they can walk back down the aisle with you!

Ideas:
- Crayons and paper
- Color Wonder (no mess)
- small puzzles
- books that the sitter can ready quietly to them
- snacks (non-messy)
- water in a straw cup
- small cars or action figures

Keep in mind that when a bride invites children to be part of the wedding, she should be prepared for some noise. Kids aren't silent and they are messy. If she is the type who wants them to be "seen and not heard", then have an escape plan ready to go!

When my SIL got married, my niece (3 at the time and the bride's daughter) was in the wedding. She walked in and then proceeded to crawl on the altar. Her grandmother (father's mother, not the groom's mother) was on-hand to take her outside. She played on the swings at the church until someone texted her to bring the little one back inside because it was almost over. They had an escape plan because at that age... you're going to need it!

I've done weddings with my girls when they were three (flower girls) and five (flower girls again). Truly... I'd take them out of the church during the ceremony. They can walk up to the front, look adorable, stand there until everyone sits down, and then walk right out the back holding daddy's hand. That way he can go to the room next door or back to the car and entertain them with coloring books, Color Wonder, his phone, whatever you want - but he won't have the serious stress of hushing them ten million times.

Sitting through the first 20 minutes of my sister's wedding when my kids were three was torture. They didn't want to sit still, they tapped their feet, they whispered loudly, then started talking, didn't want the ten million quiet play options we had brought... oh god... my stomach is in knots just thinking about it all over again. We ended up getting up and leaving the church after 20 minutes because it was obvious that we were disturbing everyone else. And it's worth mentioning that my kids are very well behaved. They're the type that people always comment on for manners, quietness, etc. But not at weddings!

It was easier when they were five, especially because the ceremony was only 10 minutes long.

I would take them to church a couple of times just to practice sitting quietly through a service or a mass. I wouldn't allow them to play or have snacks during the ceremony. If they absolutely can't sit still then maybe a fidget toy, like a stress ball.

I would try to find out what the wedding venue is like. If they get disruptive, maybe there is a seperate room where the kids can go during the service? Or maybe there is an area outside where they can play? I would advise hubby to sit toward the back or off to the side so he can exit easily if needed :)
For items to keep them entertained inside, coloring books, puzzles, books, magazines. Maybe give them a specific project, like coloring pictures of brides/grooms/churches - wedding related and specific might keep them more interested. You could probably print off templates of stuff online. Phone apps could be OK if you can be sure the sound is off and will stay off.

Lolipops = crack? Wow

Whatever you get, get something they've never seen or played with before, so you can buy even more time with the element of surprise.

i agree with J. lollipops. some may find it disrespectful the kids are playing in church. If its not at a church colroing books.
My daughter has been to mass and kids are able to sit and watch and be quiet...its only an hour or less generally

I remember my BIL brought huge lollipops for my neices during my wedding ceremony. It at least occupied some of the time.

I remember at my husbands cousin's wedding my nephew had a DS and kept in on silent and that worked great!!!! If you use an app on the phone just mute it or have hear phones for them to use. Coloring could work but I know when my son colors in church it's not the quietest.

If it was my girls, I'd spend $10 and get a babysitter during the ceremony that can take them in a different area and have them chase balls and things. 45 minutes can be extremely long for young ones. Hope it's beautiful and works for the best:)

Color Wonder coloring books! :)

Have dad bring a satchel with a few things for your kids:
-Etch a Sketch
-apps on his phone on silent
-puzzle on a board w/a frame around it the pcs won't fall on the ground
-books
-white board w/erasable pens
-take them outside if absoultely necessary