What do you think of this idea ?

[nymphadora]

Am getting married in 8 weeks. At the reception there will be fivebkids aged between 5&9 plus a few teenagers. Is it worth putting together a goody bag for the younger children to keep them entertained during the day?

YES

what a lovely idea

Yes - don't foget the bubbles - for the teenagers too! Otherwise, I wouldn't bother for the teens - unless you fancy giving them a disposable camera each and asking them to take pics for you.

forget

Will stick cameras on tables anyway as we have no photographer we are relying on friends and family!

It's only a smallish restaurant (40) but there is a little section just off it where the kids could play quietly when they get bored.

Now I need ideas what to put in them!!!

Yes. Lovely idea. Just don't do what friends of DH's did a couple of years ago - an activity pack that featured themselves - stuff like "X(bride) has lost Y(groom). Can you help them find each other?" puzzle and "Colour in this picture of X". They might have thought it would help the kids feel involved, but it just made them look horribly egocentric. And must have been a hell of a lot of work.

When my friend got married, the ushers handed out lollies at the church ( with permission I should think) and when we got to the do every child's place setting had a puzzle/ colouring book and pencils. It was a hit. ( I think she had planned a bouncy castle but the weather was awful....)
What about some stickers?

Buy some stuff from a joke shop, like flies in fake ice cubes, whoopy cushions, nails that go through fingers etc etc. That should keep them all busy.

Yes, fabulous idea! We've been to a couple of weddings where they've done this and it's so appreciated. Simple things are good - go to the pound shops, you can pick up some fabby bits!

Thanks for the ideas will get shopping!

Oh yes thats a lovely idea - I saw similar at a friends wedding. Definately colouring books & crayons will go down well. Have a look in matalan - they have little toys for party bags for boys and girls.

Scratch-a-foils might get them to sit still for a bit.

Comics?

The sister of the bride did this for my kids at a wedding we went to - big hit with the kids. I think she did lots of it at pound shops. Bubbles are great, puzzles, simple games, colouring. Active boys are hard to find something they will sit still for, though ...

If you go with the colouring, I would suggest crayons instead of felt tips. They will get all over their clothes and hands, and their parents won't be too pleased, especially if they are dressed in their new/best clothes. Bubbles are always a good bet.