Ideas for activities/gifts for children (for a non parent)

[Alittlebitfluffy]

I'll be getting married abroad soon and have a handful of children attending some around 3 years old and some 7-8 years. also teenagers but not too worried about those (they can mostly get the adult equivalent). I don't have kids myself and would love some advice on what I'm planning to put in a bit of a welcome pack for them.

I've got some ideas but feel like some won't be age appropriate for the 3 year olds so may need some other things to switch in. Also, if I get say a sticker book for the eldest, would it be worth getting two of the same to avoid them fighting, or two different things that they could take turns using? I'll have a selection anyway just wondering if duplicates are a good idea or variety is better.

It's a hot country if that matters but some ideas I had are:
Sweets / snacks etc
Sticker books / activity books
Pens to go with it
Popping candy / candy necklace
Maybe some glitter or temporary tattoos (parents unlikely to be worried about this)
Bubbles

They are mostly girls but not all so may need to consider this as well.

Thanks so much in advance ☺️

I too don't have children, but several young nieces. Wouldn't you be worried about glitter and pens potentially getting on your wedding dress 😬

Sweets/snacks/candy necklace- I'd be worried about allergies, choking and all the artificial colours- especially if the food is purchased abroad.

Regular bubbles can be messy and slippery if lots on the floor. There is a type which has a stronger bubble and can be caught on your finger. I bought some abroad, but this is the type of thing https://www.hamleys.com/tobar-touchable-bubbles?gPromoCode=10OFFPROMOCODE&gQT=0

When my nieces were young, they liked these (and their mum even more so!). No mess, no pens etc. They had a range of designs, not just dinosaurs.
https://www.johnlewis.com/galt-water-magic-dinosaurs/p2031487?srsltid=AfmBOoroR7JHMEtn3rFQknHCEBvjrxoqkMJt9OHi4OJmWmhS9lVilFRxhDA&gQT=2

They loved sticker books. When they were maybe 8-12, they loved these Top model sticker books! https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/arts-crafts-and-music/arts/top-model/topmodel-sticker-book-dress-me-up-party/p/243684?srsltid=AfmBOop439LrhUKcOixwXlfgwZ6WKKQeWMYKtcq9SHPzBgI3MmydXre9krs&gStoreCode=G040&gQT=1

Each of mine preferred slightly different things. 1 loved pink, 1 loved purple and another blue! 1 was into unicorns, another fairies etc.

Hopefully someone can advise who actually does have kids though.

If they're siblings and within 3 years of each other and on the younger end, 8 and under I think the same sort of thing would definitely be better- my DC fight loads over the perceived "better" activity book etc.
Stickers in general are always a winner.
For the younger ones- under 4/5 the water colourings ones suggested are fab and relatively mess free
If you get pens etc make sure they can be contained outside of their cardboard box- a pencil case type thing that fit everything in would be super handy if the parents aren't prepared with anything to hold all the welcome pack bits.

For the slightly older ones if you decide against pens/colouring; 6-8+ enjoy a good craft kit- maybe an easy (self contained within a plastic no) would be handy. I'm also assuming these welcome packs are to last a couple of days over the wedding period and not solely for the 'wedding'

My kids love playing with magnet toys and I keep a bag filled with magformers in the going out bag and it keeps them entertained for ages

Thanks so much!

Great shout on the pencil case I didn't think of that. So it's siblings in pairs but 3 year old and 8 year old. One boy/girl and one girl girl. Then a teen group girl 17 boy 14. I've done a bit of a spree this afternoon and gone for the following. For context yes, this is to be used across a 2 week holiday and also a long haul flight home.

So for each young sibling group:
A wedding fashion designer sticker book
Scented pen and sticker set with design your own stickers
Various loose stickers in different themes
Cute kawaii style older colouring book
Pink/blue younger style colouring book

Then to go with it haribo, squishy sweets and maybe some popping candy if I can get it and a glittery squishy ball. I've also ordered pastel and regular crayola super tips and throw in some rainbow gel pens. Maybe a glow stick to finish off. These have grown so kids will get their own welcome pack and there will be a totally different welcome pack for adults.

May seem overboard but these people are travelling to the other side of the world for us and I'd like them to arrive to some nice things. Also we aren't doing favours so these cover that too.

I'm thinking of doing the teens a more focused one too as don't want to leave them out - I've got them a fancy version of uno, some scratch cards and sweets so far. Thinking of another game type thing.. I saw 'Kids against maturity' on amazon which looks like a kid friendly version of cards against humanity but still struggling with the teen ones!

Thanks again!