It is a scene every wedding guest has witnessed.
You are at a beautiful reception. The centerpieces are lush florals from Mood Moss, the linens are a stunning textured taupe, and the candlelight is romantic. Then, you glance over to the far corner near the kitchen doors. There sits a standard 60-inch round table, stripped of all decoration, covered in a plain white cloth. In the center? A glass jar with three broken crayons and a crumpled colouring sheet.
Sitting around it are five children in tiny tuxedos and tulle dresses, looking bored, restless, and about five minutes away from sprinting onto the dance floor during the First Dance.
For years, the “Kids’ Table” was an afterthought—a containment strategy rather than a guest experience. But in 2026, with the rise of hyper-personalized weddings and a focus on hospitality, the Kids’ Table is getting a major glow-up.
If you are inviting children to your Ottawa wedding (and if you are reading this on Family Day or the week therafter, you probably are!), it is time to treat them like the VIPs they are. A happy, entertained child means relaxed parents who stay later, drink more wine, and actually hit the dance floor.
The Decor Please Stop Using White Linen
The biggest mistake couples make is trying to make the kids’ table look like the adults’ table. Kids don’t care about your charger plates, and they are terrified of spilling juice on your expensive linens.
The Fix: Interactive Surfaces
Forget the cloth. Cover the entire table in high-quality Kraft Butcher Paper or a custom-printed colouring runner.
- Why it works: It turns the entire table into a canvas. It signals to the kids immediately: “You are allowed to make a mess here.”
- Ottawa Sourcing: You can grab huge rolls of high-quality paper at DeSerres (St. Laurent Shopping Centre) or Wallack’s (Bank Street). Tape it down securely with painter’s tape underneath so it doesn’t slide.
The Centerpiece: The LEGO Revolution
Floral centerpieces are wasted on 8-year-olds. In 2026, the hottest trend for kids’ tables is the LEGO Botanical Collection.
- The Idea: Instead of roses, place a pile of Lego Flower Bouquets or Succulents in the center of the table (unbuilt or partially built).
- The Activity: It doubles as decor and entertainment. The older kids can build the flowers and “arrange” the centerpiece throughout the dinner. By the time speeches start, they have built a masterpiece.
- Where to Buy: The LEGO Store at the Rideau Centre is your best friend here. Plus, after the wedding, you get to keep the Lego sets for your own home (or gift them to the ring bearer).
Phase 2: The Entertainment (Beyond Colouring Books)
Colouring books are fine for 4-year-olds, but they bore the 8-to-12 crowd instantly. You need multi-tiered entertainment that keeps them seated for 90 minutes.
- The “I Spy” Scavenger Hunt (Retro Vibes)
Disposable cameras are having a massive comeback with Gen Z, and they are perfect for kids.
- The Setup: Place one disposable camera at every setting (or one shared between two).
- The Mission: Print a card with a list of “Shots to Capture.”
- Find someone wearing a red tie.
- Find someone laughing.
- Find the biggest piece of cake.
- Take a selfie with the bride.
- The Payoff: You get hilarious, candid photos from a 3-foot-tall perspective.
- Ottawa Sourcing: Head to Henry’s (Bank Street or Kanata) to buy multipacks of Ilford or Kodak disposables.
- The “Fidget” Factor
Weddings involve a lot of sitting still and listening to adults talk. This is physically painful for high-energy kids.
- The Fix: Curate a “Busy Box” for each seat, but skip the cheap plastic junk that breaks instantly. Go for tactile, quiet toys.
- What to include: Pop-its, magnetic tiles (Magna-Tiles are gold), or Wikki Stix (wax sticks that bend and stick to paper but make no mess).
- Local Gem: Tag Along Toys (Kanata or Blue Heron Mall) is an incredible local resource. Their staff can actually recommend “quiet church toys” that won’t disrupt your vows.
- The “Video Game” Lounge (The Nuclear Option)
If you have a side room or a designated corner at a venue like The Infinity Convention Centre or Lago, consider renting a Nintendo Switch setup for the post-dinner lull.
- Why: It is a guaranteed babysitter. Set up Mario Kart. Done.
- Note: Keep this turned off during speeches, or you will have Mario sound effects interrupting your dad’s toast.
Phase 3: The Menu (The “Mini-Foodie” Experience)
Nothing causes a meltdown faster than a “fancy” meal a child doesn’t recognize. If you serve them Chicken Supreme with truffle reduction and asparagus, they will not eat it. They will be hungry. They will get “hangry.”
- The “Mocktail” Bar
Kids want to feel fancy. They want to clink glasses.
- The Idea: Create a signature “Kids’ Mocktail” named after your pet or a local Ottawa spot.
- The “Rideau Ripple”: Sprite, Blue Curacao syrup (non-alcoholic), and a gummy shark.
- The “Gatineau Glitter”: Pink lemonade with edible glitter and a rock candy stick.
- Presentation: Serve it in a plastic champagne flute (available at Party City on Merivale). They will feel incredibly sophisticated.
- The Bento Box Approach
Plated dinners are daunting. A big pile of food can be overwhelming.
- The Trend: Ask your caterer to serve the kids’ meal in a bento style or a divided tray.
- Why: It separates the food (crucial for picky eaters who hate when peas touch the potatoes). It looks like a fun picnic.
- Local Treat: Instead of the standard fruit cup, see if you can source mini-donuts from SuzyQ or cookies from The Merry Dairy for their dessert course. It’s a local touch that tastes better than mass-produced catering cake.
- The “Snack Attack” Station
Kids graze. They don’t eat a full meal at 7:00 PM.
- The Fix: Have a basket of “emergency snacks” on the table that are allowed to be eaten during the ceremony or speeches. Goldfish crackers, pretzels, or fruit gummies.
- Packaging: Put them in cute custom bags with stickers that say “Speech Snacks.”
Phase 4: The Comfort (The “Crash Zone”)
If your wedding goes until 1:00 AM, the kids will crash by 9:30 PM. If they don’t have a place to crash, their parents have to leave.
The Teepee Village
This is a huge visual win.
- The Setup: Rent 2-3 small canvas teepees or set up a “soft corner” with bean bags and pillows.
- Local Vendor: Check out Sleepy Teepee Ottawa. While they specialize in slumber parties, many rental companies can provide cozy lounge furniture.
- The Vibe: Throw in some heavy blankets (maybe Hudson’s Bay stripes for that Ottawa winter feel). It gives the kids a “clubhouse” to retreat to when the music gets too loud.
Phase 5: The Golden Rule (Hire Help)
We talked about this in our previous post, but it bears repeating: A Kids’ Table without supervision is just Lord of the Flies in formal wear.
You can have the best Lego sets and the coolest mocktails, but if there isn’t an adult managing the chaos, the kids will eventually wander off.
- The Strategy: Hire one or two sitters from Babysitting Angels or Nannies on Call specifically to man the Kids’ Table.
- Their Job: They help open stubborn glue sticks, referee Lego disputes, take kids to the washroom, and ensure the “Mocktail Bar” doesn’t turn into a sticky spill disaster.
- The Cost: For roughly $200-$300, you are buying peace of mind for 100 guests. It is the best money you will spend.
The Takeaway
The “Glow-Up” isn’t about spending thousands of dollars on children. It’s about intentionality.
When a child walks into your wedding and sees a seat with their name on a custom colouring bag, a cool drink waiting for them, and a Lego set to build, they feel welcomed. They feel like part of the celebration.
And when their parents see that you took the time to keep their kids happy? They will toast you louder, dance longer, and remember your wedding as the one where they actually got to relax.
So, rip off that white tablecloth, head to the Lego store, and get ready to host the coolest party in town—for guests of all ages.
Happy Family Day!
Your Wedding Expert
xoxo Nindi for TastersHUB Catering & Events
“If you have to chase, beg, or plot for love….It will run away at the next “best” offer.”― Nanette Mathews
