A wedding day can feel very long when you are six years old.
There is a ceremony to sit through, grown ups to greet, dinner that takes forever and plenty of moments when everyone is asked to stay still. Add a flight from the United States, jet lag and an unfamiliar city, and you can see why children may need a little extra thought.
For a destination wedding in Paris, this matters even more.
The goal is not to keep children busy every second. They are guests too, and they should enjoy the experience. At the same time, their parents deserve the chance to listen to the ceremony, enjoy dinner and dance without constantly checking what their children are doing.
The best solution is usually a balance between inclusion and dedicated childcare.
You can involve children in the moments that matter, then give them their own activities and space when the wedding becomes more adult focused.
Think about children as guests, not a problem to solve
When couples plan a destination wedding, they often focus on the experience of their adult guests.
Where will everyone stay? What will they eat? What will they do in Paris?
Children deserve the same consideration.
They have travelled to another country with their parents. They may be discovering Paris for the first time. A small amount of planning can turn the wedding into something they remember with excitement.
Ask yourself what the day will feel like from their perspective.
A long ceremony followed by several hours at a dinner table may not work for every child. That does not mean children should be excluded from the celebration.
Instead, think about creating different moments throughout the day.
They can take part in the ceremony. They can join the cocktail. They can sit with their parents for part of the dinner. Later, they can move to a quieter area with a babysitter or entertainer.
This gives everyone more freedom.
Babysitter or entertainer : which option works best?
The first decision is to understand what kind of support you actually need.
A babysitter and a children’s entertainer do not have exactly the same role.
A babysitter’s main responsibility is supervising the children. An entertainer focuses more on activities, games and workshops.
For a small group, one babysitter may be enough. The number of adults should increase when you have several young children or children who need closer supervision.
The right choice depends on the number of children, their ages and the moments when you want them supervised.
| Your situation | A good option |
| One or two young children | A dedicated babysitter |
| Several children from different families | Two or more babysitters |
| A group of children with different ages | Children’s entertainer |
| Children only need supervision during dinner | Babysitter |
| Children will stay until late | Babysitter plus a dedicated activity area |
We suggest at least two babysitters to supervise around six to eight children, although the appropriate ratio should always depend on the children’s ages and needs.
For budget planning, you can count around €20 to €30 per hour for a group of eight children and around €500 for five hours of entertainment for roughly ten children. These figures should be checked with the provider before planning your budget.
Give children activities that suit the wedding
Children do not necessarily need elaborate entertainment, sometimes the simplest activities work best.
A small table with paper, coloring materials and books can keep younger children happy for quite some time. Creative activities can also give quieter children something to do without forcing them into a group game.
Ideas can include :
- Coloring sheets inspired by Paris.
- Colored pencils and markers.
- Play dough.
- Scoubidous and simple craft activities.
- Books.
- Small board games.
- Costumes and imaginative play.
- Face painting, if appropriate for the setting.
- A small treasure hunt.
- A large sheet of paper where children can draw something for the newlyweds.
Having a few independent activities is particularly useful for younger or shy children who may not want to participate in organized games. This is one reason we prefer to offer several options rather than one large activity.
A child can join the group, draw quietly or simply sit with a book.
Let Paris become part of their experience
A destination wedding gives you one advantage.
You already have a fascinating setting around you.
You do not need to turn the wedding into a full day of sightseeing. A few Paris inspired details can be enough.
For example, you could create a small activity booklet with drawings of familiar landmarks. Children could look for the Eiffel Tower, an old fashioned Parisian street sign or a particular architectural detail.
You could also organize a simple French themed activity.
Ideas include :
- A small French pastry tasting.
- A crêpe inspired snack.
- A Paris coloring booklet.
- A postcard writing activity.
- A simple photography challenge.
- A treasure hunt based on details around the venue.
The idea is not to give children another tourist itinerary, they have already travelled a long way.
Instead, give them small ways to connect with the destination while keeping the wedding day relaxed.
This can work particularly well for American families travelling to France for the first time.
Give parents time to enjoy the wedding too
Parents often arrive at weddings prepared to divide their attention between the celebration and their children.
That is understandable.
But they should also have the chance to experience the wedding as guests.
Childcare can make a real difference during certain parts of the day.
Parents can listen to the ceremony without constantly wondering whether their toddler needs something. They can enjoy the cocktail. They can sit through dinner. They can dance together later in the evening.
You do not necessarily need childcare from the first minute until the last.
Think about the moments when it will make the biggest difference.
For example :
- Children attend the ceremony with their parents.
- They join the cocktail and photographs.
- They have dinner with their families.
- A babysitter takes over after dinner.
- The children move to a dedicated room for games and quiet activities.
- Parents return to the celebration.
This approach can feel much more natural than separating children from their families for the entire day.
Make children feel included
Keeping children entertained should not mean hiding them away.
They are part of the family celebration.
Small details can make them feel genuinely included.
A little welcome bag can be waiting for them at the venue. It might contain coloring materials, a small book, stickers or a few sweets.
You could also give them a role during the day.
Depending on their age, they might carry the rings, take part in the ceremony or help with a small family tradition.
Another lovely idea is to give them a large sheet of paper where they can draw or write a message for the newlyweds.
It becomes a personal souvenir after the wedding. The idea of collecting children’s drawings and messages is particularly nice because it gives them a way to participate without putting them in the spotlight.
A disposable or instant camera can also be fun for older children so they can photograph details that adults might miss.
Of course, this should always be adapted to the venue and the age of the children.
Consider the children’s ages when planning
A three year old and a twelve year old will not experience a wedding in the same way.
The activities should reflect that.
| Age | What may work well |
| Babies and toddlers | Dedicated babysitter, quiet space, books |
| Ages 3 to 5 | Drawing, simple crafts, supervised games |
| Ages 6 to 9 | Treasure hunt, creative workshops, board games |
| Ages 10 to 12 | Photography, challenges, group games |
| Teenagers | Photography, music, social activities, some independence |
You also need to consider sleep. A child who has travelled from California or New York may feel tired earlier than usual. Jet lag can make a long wedding day even harder.
This is another reason to create a quiet area where younger children can rest.
You do not need a perfectly decorated children’s room.
A comfortable, calm space can be enough.
Coordinate the children’s experience before you arrive in Paris
Planning a destination wedding means that most decisions happen before you arrive.
That applies to childcare too.
Parents should know what you have planned. They should know who will supervise the children and during which parts of the day.
They should also tell you about allergies, dietary requirements, nap routines or anything else the childcare team needs to know.
A simple checklist can help.
Mini checklist for children at a destination wedding
- Count all children and note their ages.
- Ask parents about allergies and specific needs.
- Decide which parts of the day children will attend.
- Choose between babysitters and entertainers.
- Plan activities for different age groups.
- Prepare a quiet space for younger children.
- Tell parents how the childcare will work.
- Share the wedding schedule with the childcare team.
- Make sure the children have a way to contact their parents when needed.
This preparation does not need to be complicated.
It simply removes uncertainty before the wedding day.
If you are still deciding who should be invited to an intimate celebration, our guide on who to invite to your elopement can also help you think about the guest list.
And if you are inviting families from the United States, you may want to share practical information about French wedding customs with them. Our guide on what to wear and what to give when invited to a French wedding can make that part easier.
Include childcare in the overall wedding budget
Childcare is one of those details that couples sometimes forget when building their destination wedding budget.
It should sit alongside the other guest experience costs.
The amount will depend on the number of children, their ages, the number of caregivers and the length of the service.
For a broader picture, you can also look at our guide to the budget for a wedding in Paris.
The important point is not to choose the cheapest solution automatically.
The right childcare arrangement should give parents confidence and children a pleasant experience.
That is worth considering when you plan the overall celebration.
Need some help in planning your wedding
In practice : let children have their own wedding experience
A destination wedding in Paris can be wonderful for children too.
- Include them in the moments that matter.
- Give them activities suited to their age.
- Provide dedicated supervision when parents need a break.
- Create a quiet space for younger children.
- Add a few Paris inspired details to make them feel part of the adventure.
The best children’s entertainment is rarely the most complicated.
Sometimes it is a table covered with paper and colored pencils. Sometimes it is a babysitter who knows exactly how to make a shy child feel comfortable.
And sometimes it is simply knowing that the children have somewhere safe and enjoyable to go when the wedding becomes too long for them.
For a destination wedding in France, that balance can make the day more enjoyable for everyone.
Further reading
- Read our How to plan a destination wedding in Paris guide
FAQ : children at a wedding
Should we hire a babysitter for a destination wedding in Paris ?
It can be a very good option when several children are attending, especially if parents will be travelling from abroad. The number of caregivers should depend on the children’s ages and needs.
How many babysitters do we need for a wedding ?
There is no universal number. We suggest around one babysitter for five children, but younger children may require more supervision
What activities can children do at a wedding ?
Drawing, crafts, books, games, treasure hunts and photography activities can all work well. Offer several options so children can choose what suits them.
Should children attend the entire wedding day ?
Not necessarily. Many couples let children join the ceremony and early reception, then arrange childcare for dinner or the later part of the evening.
How can we make children feel included in a destination wedding ?
Give them small roles, welcome gifts, Paris inspired activities or a way to create something for the newlyweds. The goal is to make them feel like guests rather than an afterthought
