Poor babies! We can relate here too. Mine run and hide from everyone anyway but when there are small children around it is even worse. Fortunately I have mostly animal loving family and the children are made to behave around my braver cats. The one SIL who doesn't share my feelings doesn't come to my house at all. She knows that I will jump all over her kids so she just stays away and that is fine with me!
I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's not only hard on the cats but you too. You can't help but feel sorry for them and worry about them when they are hiding. I always wonder if they are hungry or need to use the litter box and I get just as stressed as they do. I hope everyone is settled back into their routine now.