Fun And Affordable Child-Friendly Engagement Party Ideas

Around 2.6 million weddings will take place in the U.S. in 2022, setting a record high, the Wall Street Journal reports.

An engagement party is a key pre-wedding celebration that lets the whole family get together and mark the upcoming joyous occasion in style. If you’re planning your engagement party, it’s possible to make it both affordable and child-friendly.

A BBQ party, picnic party, and winter wonderland-themed party are some ideas kids and adults will both love.

Fun And Affordable Child Friendly Engagement Party Ideas

BBQ party 

A backyard BBQ party is a budget-friendly idea that’s easy to plan and execute — yet oh so much fun for children and adults alike.

It can be as casual an affair as you like; ask your guests to BYOB (bring your own beer) or drop in and out throughout the afternoon and evening as best suits them. Decor also doesn’t need to be extravagant. Think: sprucing up your tables with pretty lanterns and tin buckets filled with colorful flowers, while classic cloth Gingham napkins can add a rustic touch.

And, don’t forget to get your hands on a basic chalkboard; it’s the perfect way to display your menu detailing the tasty dishes being cooked up.

Comfy seating is also essential — don’t make your guests stand for the entire party! If your garden’s on the smaller side (or you simply don’t have a big outdoor seating area), you can create makeshift chairs out of spare wooden pallets, rugs, and cushions. 

As for refreshments, why not create a child-friendly “pimp your drink” bar? The adults can have fun mixing cocktails, gin and tonics, and prosecco, while the kids can enjoy non-alcoholic fruity mocktails.

Whipping up a delicious, child-friendly mocktail can be as simple as, for example, pouring a tablespoon of grenadine into a glass followed by 3.4 fl. Oz. of orange juice and top up with sparkling water.

By threading blueberries and grapes onto bamboo skewers, you can also make quick, easy, and tasty edible stirrers to be enjoyed by guests of all ages.

And, when it’s time for dessert, you can simply convert the drinks bar into an ice cream sundae station. 

Simple Picnic Party

If you’re looking for a relaxed, family-friendly engagement party requiring minimal planning and preparation, look no further than a picnic party at your local park — or garden, if you don’t want to travel.

By avoiding the need for venue hire, you can also end up saving thousands of dollars.  And, reserving space at your local park is either free or will cost just a small fee.

For your picnic party, all you need is plenty of cushions and blankets, along with some streamers and tassel garlands to hang from trees, creating a festive atmosphere.

And, don’t forget to pack a few picnic hampers filled with cutlery, napkins, paper plates, and a host of party-worthy, crowd-pleasing dishes like fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs, fresh corn, mini frittatas, and focaccia sandwiches. Jugs of refreshing beverages like lemonade for the kids and cocktails for the adults are also a must.

There’s also no shortage of outdoor games you can play at your BBQ party: rounders, frisbees, Twister, a piñata, and giant Jenga are just some ideas bound to ensure a fun time for the whole family. If it’s hot, you can also cool down with water balloons.

Winter Wonderland Theme

If you’re getting engaged in the winter, a winter wonderland party heavy on glitter, merriment, and coziness may be a perfect choice. It can also be easily DIY’ed.

Fairy lights, for example, can be strung up inside and outside, in glass jars, and all around. Paper snowflakes, glitter spray, and fake snow can also be used liberally to inject an extra touch of magic into the venue.

You can also line the path inside with atmospheric lanterns, as well as place pine cones in hurricane candle vases on the center of each table.

Additionally, a hot chocolate bar is a perfect way to warm up. Serve luxury hot chocolate with a host of delicious customizable toppings, such as mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, white chocolate shavings, cinnamon sticks, crushed candy canes, coarse sea salt, whipped cream, caramel sauce, and dark chocolate syrup.

For the adults, mulled wine will also go down a treat. And, when it comes to family-friendly games, Pin the Nose on Rudolph, a festive twist on the classic pin the tail on the donkey, is a great choice.

Players are blindfolded and spun around before attempting to pin Rudolph’s red nose in the right place on his face. The winner gets a prize! 

Planning a family-friendly engagement party doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A BBQ party, picnic party, or winter wonderland theme are some fun ideas kids and adults alike will love.

Julie Higgins
Author
Julie is a Staff Writer at momooze.com. She has been working in publishing houses before joining the editorial team at momooze. Julie's love and passion are topics around beauty, lifestyle, hair and nails.