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Original poster

Entertainment for toddlers at hotel reception??

13 replies

jaamy · 21/02/2006 09:54

Hello all!
We are having DD2's christening on Sunday with the reception in a nearby hotel(I know, nothing like leaving everything to the last minute!) and it's onlt just crossed my mind (d'oh!) that the kiddies might get a bit bored. It's too late to hire an entertainer, not that we could afford one. Do you think it would be really bad to speak to the parents and warn them that they maybe should bring some favourite toys? Or bring some of 2yo DD1's toys with us in the hope that the others might find them interesting?
There will be 9 children aged between nearly 2 and 10 with most at the younger end of the scale plus 4 babies. Am I really bad for not laying on any entertainment?
All help very gratefully received! ta

OP posts:
edodgy · 21/02/2006 09:57

Will the reception just be a meal or is there a dancefloor as well and DJ like at a wedding. I only ask because if this is the case the toddlers usually stay on the dancefloor and you could ask the dj to play a few child friendly tunes earlier on.

Bozza · 21/02/2006 10:03

I would maybe buy a few cheap packets of crayons and either colouring books or you could print off pictures from the cbeebies website for them to colour in. And maybe a sheet of stickers each. That's what I did at DD's christening. I made up a party bag for each of them but gave them out at the beginning not the end with the following contents:

crayons
pictures from Cbeebies to colour
bubbles
stickers
balloon

If I was taking my young child to a christening I would naturally take along items to entertain them such as a few books, a couple of small cars etc. I have always done this on such occasions with my two. So shouldn't be too much of a problem, hopefully.

Enjoy your day.

Gloworm · 21/02/2006 10:06

balloons and bubbles and colouring

unless its not in a private room, in which case it might annoy other diners?

LIZS · 21/02/2006 10:06

Bubble machine and music ?

Original poster
jaamy · 21/02/2006 12:10

Thanks for all the suggestions!!
Can't have a DJ just background music as there is no entertainment licence for the room (which is private). It's a buffet but the tables are set for a proper sit down meal as this is the only way the hotel can set them up.
Love the bubble machine idea though not sure there will be anywhere to plug it in and think will go with the balloons as well.
And you're right, Bozza, I'm sure most will bring some favourite toys with them.
Cheers

OP posts:
Gloworm · 21/02/2006 12:11

maybe you could remind the others to bring some small toys, not all parents seem to think of bringing toys for their children when they are going ouy.

Gloworm · 21/02/2006 12:12

maybe you could remind the others to bring some small toys, not all parents seem to think of bringing toys for their children when they are going ouy.

BettySpaghetti · 21/02/2006 12:17

We went to a wedding reception where they'd set up an activity table for the kids -basically it included stuff that Bozza mentioned (stickers, colouring,balloons) and also some of those cheap books from the Works that have reusable stickers in, press-out dolls that you dress (remember those from when I was a kid!), word serach books etc.

Also the helium balloons were a great hit but make sure that they have ribbons long enough to retrieve them from the ceiling!

Kids loved it!

BettySpaghetti · 21/02/2006 12:19

We went to a wedding reception where they'd set up an activity table for the kids -basically it included stuff that Bozza mentioned (stickers, colouring,balloons) and also some of those cheap books from the Works that have reusable stickers in, press-out dolls that you dress (remember those from when I was a kid!), word serach books etc.

Also the helium balloons were a great hit but make sure that they have ribbons long enough to retrieve them from the ceiling!

Kids loved it!

BettySpaghetti · 21/02/2006 12:24

sorry about double post -site seems to having its usual problems (happens everytime DS has a nap at this time!_

Tillyboo · 24/02/2006 13:54

I've just been looking on a website called Funky Monkey and they have stopped doing general birthday parties but offer a creche facility for weddings etc.
Have a look at funkymunkyparties.com

Skribble · 24/02/2006 23:01

Activity table seems like a good idea.

Original poster
jaamy · 28/02/2006 16:24

Thanks everyone!
Bubble machine went down a storm and children amused themselves with balloons and a few toys I'd brought. Didn't have any complaints...great day!

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