Introduction
Coping with mixed ages
Older children
Children's entertainers
Outdoors
Function Room
Indoors at home
Lastly...

Introduction

There was a time when everyone you knew was single, then, within a few years of each other, you all got married, now suddenly everyone has a child in tow!  It's therefore very likely that you will have at least a handful of children at your christening or naming ceremony. 

So how do you keep them entertained, leaving the adults to enjoy themselves?

Coping with mixed ages

Unlike a child’s birthday party where the guests are usually of a similar age and know each other, it could well be that you have a mix of ages with some children who don’t know anyone at all.

If this is the case, then choose entertainment or activities that allow children to join in, regardless of their physical abilities. For example a puppet show or face painting will appeal to most pre-teen ages

Older children

Older children may feel that the entertainment or the other children are “too babyish” for them. Make them feel important by giving them a role in the proceedings - you could ask them to help serve the food or circulate with slices of cake, or even encourage the more responsible ones to help out with the younger children’s play.

Children’s entertainers

Children’s entertainers can be a godsend and take the kids off your hands for an hour or more. Services range from face painting to clowns and magicians, puppet theatres and bouncy castles. You can even hire a party bus which will park at your venue or in your drive to entertain the kids with a soft play area and tea party.

Coming soon – Children’s Entertainers Directory

Outdoors

If you are having your reception at home and are lucky enough to have a garden bigger than the size of a hanky then giving the kids an area to run around in is ideal. Check out our section on outdoor games - handpicked by us to appeal to a wide range of ages to make sure everyone can join in.

Function room

Space may be more constrained if you are having your reception in a function room . Party bags containing smaller toys may be a good way of distracting the children during the meal or afterwards. 

Coming soon – ideas for age specific party bags to suit all budgets.

Indoors at home

Section off an area or designate a room for the children to play in. Ask parents to each bring a few suitable toys and soon you’ll have a playroom that appeals to everyone.

If you’re feeling more adventurous then lay on a puppet show – you don’t have to have a proper theatre, you can improvise with a cardboard box or a serving hatch! A dressing up box is always popular – raid grandma’s wardrobe for suitable items or maybe comb your guest list for budding orators and organise a storytelling session.

Instead of having the TV on in the background, organise a screening of a favourite DVD (see our TopTen Classic Disney DVDs for ideas). Create a cinema atmosphere by turning the lights down and handing out popcorn or mini choc ices.

Pass the parcel and other party games are always good standbys, particularly if the children are of a similar age. Don’t forget the strategic use of Dead Lions if things get a bit hectic!

Lastly...

Remember that you will never please all of the people all the time, particularly when it comes to children, so don’t spend too much time worrying whether you have something for everyone. 

Your guests will appreciate not having to deal with their kids being bored but the flipside of that is that they should be willing to help out rather then let you do all the work!