When planning an event, whether it’s a wedding, party, or a family celebration, one big question that always seems to pop up: “Should we include children?” While kids can bring a lot of joy and adorable moments to an event, it’s important to consider whether the event and venue are truly kid-friendly and, if so, how to ensure they stay entertained and safe during your event.
At venues like The Hidden Abbey, we often see hosts struggle with how to accommodate children at events. While we love seeing families celebrate together, it’s worth noting that most venues are not designed with children in mind. Kids can easily get bored or restless during lengthy ceremonies or formal dinners, and ensuring their supervision is often overlooked when planning the event. With that in mind, let’s dive into some helpful tips for deciding whether to invite children and how to create a fun and safe experience if you do!
Consider the Venue
Most venues, including The Hidden Abbey, are designed for adult guests. With fragile décor, open spaces, and sometimes hazardous areas (like stairs or uneven floors), venues often aren’t equipped to handle unsupervised children. This doesn’t mean that you can’t invite children, but it does mean that you will need to take extra consideration to ensure children are entertained and safe during your event.
Additionally, venue staff are not there to supervise children—their focus is to ensure that your event runs smoothly, not babysitting. This is why it’s so important to plan ahead and either provide supervision for kids or opt for an adult-only guest list.
Is the Event Kid-Friendly?
When deciding whether to include children on your guest list, think about the type and tone of your event. Ask yourself:
- Is the event formal or casual? Kids tend to thrive at more relaxed celebrations where they can move around more freely. However, this does not mean run around the space but have the ability to move around from table to table.
- Will the event run late into the evening? Late-night events can be tough for little ones who might get cranky and tired.
- Does the event have long stretches of downtime? Kids may struggle to sit through extended ceremonies, speeches, or dinners without some form of entertainment.
If you decide to include children, you’ll want to plan activities to keep them entertained and minimize the chance of boredom (we’ll talk more about that below!).
If the event feels like it wouldn’t be enjoyable for kids, a kid-free policy might be the best option.
Keeping Kids Entertained
If you’re inviting children to your event, keeping them entertained is the key to ensuring they have a good time—and that the adults can enjoy their time at the celebration without interruptions! Here are some ideas to make your event more kid-friendly.
- Create a Kids’ Activity Corner: Set up a table with coloring books, crayons, puzzles, or small toys to keep little hands busy.
- Offer Outdoor Games: If your venue has an outdoor space, games like cornhole, giant Jenga, or bubbles can provide hours of fun. Please be sure to know your venue’s policies for children being outdoors, here at The Hidden Abbey, all children must always be supervised as our space is next to our parking lot and can be dangerous with cars pulling in and out.
- Hire a Babysitter or Childcare Service: Consider hiring a babysitter or a group of sitters to supervise and entertain the kids. This allows parents to relax and enjoy the event while knowing that their children are in good hands.
- Provide Kid-Friendly Snacks: Children can be picky eaters, so having options like finger foods, juice boxes, or event a dedicated kids’ menu can make the experience more enjoyable for them.
- Include Entertainment: If your budget allows, hiring a face painter, balloon artist, or magician can create a memorable experience for the kids in attendance.
By incorporating kid-focused activities, you’ll ensure that the children invited to your event can have just as much fun as the adults—and help prevent any restless moments during the event.
Deciding on a Kid-Free Event
Not every event is ideal for children, and that’s okay! Deciding to host a kid-free celebration doesn’t make your event any less welcoming or fun—it simply ensures that the tone and structure of the event remain focused on your vision.
If you’re opting for a kid-free event, be clear about your decision from the start. Include a polite note on the invitation or a wedding website, such as:
- “We respectfully request an adults-only celebration.”
- “While we love your little ones, this is will be an adults-only event”
- Or simply on the invitation: “Adults Only Reception to Follow”
This sets the expectations early and helps avoid confusion. While some guests may need to make childcare arrangements, most will understand and appreciate the opportunity for a “grown-up” night out!
Supervision is a Must
When hosting a kid-friendly event, it’s essential that children require supervision at all times. Venues like The Hidden Abbey are not equipped to act as playgrounds for children. Children can be naturally curious and adventurous, which makes supervision critical for their safety and the overall success of your event.
If kids are invited, it’s good to communicate with the parents ahead of time. Let them know the venue’s policies and remind them that they must have supervision for their children for the whole duration of the event. You might want to consider a babysitter or family member to oversee the kids if the parents what to mingle.
Making the Choice That’s Right for You
Ultimately, the decision of whether to include children at your event comes down to your personal preferences and the type of celebration you’re envisioning. Here’s quick recap to help guide your decision:
- If you want a kid-free event: Communicate early and politely, and emphasize that this is to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of all guests.
- If you’re including children: Plan age-appropriate activities, snacks, and supervision to keep them safe, entertained, and happy.
Final Thoughts: Creating an Enjoyable Event for Everyone
While children can bring a special kind of joy to celebrations, it’s important to consider how they’ll fit into your event and venue. Whether you’re hosting a kid-friendly gathering or choosing to keep things adults-only, planning ahead will ensure the day runs smoothly and everyone—kids, parents, and guest alike—has an unforgettable time.
At The Hidden Abbey, we love hosting events that bring people together, and we’re here to help plan a celebration that reflects your vision. So, whether it’s providing a space for an activity corner or helping coordinate a seamless experience, we’ve got you covered—no matter who’s on the guest list! We are here to help you plan your next party or wedding!
The Hidden Abbey Event Center is a locally owned and operated business. We sincerely hope to encourage couples to learn more about planning a wedding locally. We want to give a special thanks to some amazing wedding venues across the United States who inspire us and help support our venue. We are also thrilled to support other wedding venue owners from around the country with a shout out in each of our blogs. You can find locally owned wedding venues featured on this wedding venue map.
