Age appropriate favours for children?

[HumbleCrumble]

We're inviting quite a few kids to our wedding and I want to give them favours that will keep them entertained during the speeches and meal. There's quite a range of ages coming and as we don't have kids yet I'm not totally clued up on what kids of different ages would like or should have. I don't want to cause any upset by giving an older child something "babyish", or giving a toddler something they could choke on...

Here are my thoughts so far - please tell me if they're not appropriate!

Babies under 1 - I know they won't understand or care, but I don't want to leave them out. I saw a suggestion of cheap personalised bibs which I thought was quite cute?

Kids aged 1-3 - is a colouring book and crayons ok for the little ones? Also thought of a giving them each a couple of finger puppets.

Kids aged 4-6 - I thought an activity book with some puzzles and things, plus a small (quiet!) toy - maybe those stretchy yellow men or mini slinkies.

We also have a 10 year old and a 12 year old - the 10yo would probably be happy with the activity book and toy, but the 12yo as an almost-teenage girl might not want to be lumped in with the kids. Any ideas?

I'll also include a couple of small sweets (I thought lollies might be helpful to keep them quiet during the speeches!). We'll be giving out bubbles after the ceremony so hopefully that will keep them entertained while we're doing the photos.

Would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions!

[Pickledonion24]

I wouldn’t do lollies as if kids decide to run around with them massive choking hazard what about an adult colouring book for the 12 year old with some nice pencils or felt tips

[Pickledonion24]

There are some lovely teen colouring books out there

[HumbleCrumble]

Ahh, see I knew I would get something wrong! What sort of sweets would be better? Haribo type, Love Hearts?

I did think an "older" colouring book might be nice for her, she's quite arty.

[EllenJanethickerknickers]

I think 1-3 year olds might struggle with a colouring book. Mine would have eaten them! Have a look at Hawkins Bazaar or similar for party bag gifts but TBH, 1-3 yos are tricky as lots of things are a choking hazard or too fiddly.

[EllenJanethickerknickers]

www.allaboutpartybags.co.uk/party-bag-fillers.html?age=16&gclid=Cj0KCQjwybvPBRDBARIsAA7T2kgEbdG8nVdwrEhMFqqXs0FLj0gz9qJVrEw3AbpYzgGW9u3a7SCZ954aAuT4EALw_wcB

Not much out there for under 3 but these board books are quite cute

[HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone]

We did little paper bags with a variety of stuff in a few examples below:

. Simple puzzle books.
. An assortment of pens (e.g a wand or those with removable colours).
. BUBBLES (huge hit for all under 10's)
. Small fiddle toys (e.g slinky or stretchy man).
. Haribo sweets
. a disposable camera (Also a huge hit)

[HumbleCrumble]

Thanks for the replies! Are colouring books really a 4+ thing then? And something colourful to fiddle with, but not small enough to swallow for the younger ones?

[MonkeyJumping]

Most people wouldn't give sweets at all to 3 yr olds - choking hazard plus too much sugar. You can get healthy snacks for them from a company called organix, most big supermarkets will stock them. Otherwise raisins.

Colouring books are really for 4 plus, a 3 yr old might try it but will just be scribbling really. Also any child under 6 shouldn't be trusted to only draw on a notepad when there is a big tempting tablecloth right there.

Try looking on eBay and Amazon for toddler party bag fillers.

[freshstart24]

I put disposable cameras on the place setting of children over 5, along with a printed list of ideas for them to take photos of. Went down really well.

For younger children I gave a lift the flap book.

[Peachyking000]

I have adult style colouring books to the children aged 7 and over - The Works are great for this. I’d also recommend Crayola Twistables to go with them - felt tips are messy and pencils need sharpened. Those magnetic drawing boards are good for toddlers rather than colouring in stuff, I think.

[FledglingFTB]

Cheap hula hoops!

[wheresthel1ght]

When I married exh we had lots of kids of different ages, as did my sister. For ours I did a large paper gift bag and had the spice jars from ikea with dolly mixtures in them, for all kids over 1, colouring books, crayons, and then a few quiet toys that were age appropriate so for the older ones we had th is plastic puzzles where you mix the picture up and then have to unscramble it, bouncy balls, and a book (works or book people are excellent) for younger ones we did soft balls, hard back books, for the babies (including a 3 month old) we did a few bath toys, bath books, and a teething toy (poundshops are fab).

I did similar for my sisters wedding. Ironically not one of the parents mentioned the kids bags at my own wedding but all of them at my sisters made a bee line to say thank you to my sister for doing them, she pointed them in my direction and a couple came over to thank me. Which was utterly unnecessary but ultimately a lovely gesture.

For. My sisters wedding we also set up a games area away from the tables and the dance floor and various parents were prepped to swap over supervision of it so kids could play and not interfere and parents could still see them but didn't need to. Be with them, so we had a giant snakes and ladders game, skittle alley (plastic), giant naughts and crosses, coits, a roll out floor piano (think Tom hanks in big)

If you want any tips please feel free to pm me

[HumbleCrumble]

Thanks again everyone for your replies!

I've been having a look today and found these draw your own jigsaws:

www.wilko.com/creative-play/wilko-jigsaw-puzzle-draw-your-own/invt/0279053

Do you think they would be a good idea for the 4+s? Or is giving them felt pens asking for trouble?

[Bridechilla]

wheresthel1ght where did you get he the games corner games from - sound brill!

OP pens are fine, but designing a jigsaw takes quite a bit of creativity and time - will they have that attention span within the excitement of a party?

Have you thought of paper runners like in the pic, I've seen examples where the B&G have drawn empty noughts and crosses games, picture frames, hangman etc... also wax crayons might be less of a accident waiting to happen

[HumbleCrumble]

Thanks Bridechilla. I will go back to the crayons plan :)