Hosting a kids tea party can be a delightful and memorable experience for both the children and the parents. It’s a perfect way to celebrate a birthday, a special occasion, or simply to enjoy an afternoon with friends. With a few simple ideas and some creativity, you can turn an ordinary day into something magical.
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Kids Tea Party Invitations and Decor
Start with fun invitations. You can create cute, handmade invites using colorful paper, stickers, and markers. If crafting isn’t your thing, there are plenty of printable options online. Make sure to include all the essential details like date, time, and location.
Decorations can be simple yet effective. Think about using pastel colors, floral patterns, and a touch of elegance. You can use items you already have at home, like tablecloths, doilies, and pretty dishes. Balloons and streamers can add a festive touch without breaking the bank. Set the table with small teacups, saucers, and plates. If you don’t have real tea sets, don’t worry. Plastic ones work just fine and are often more kid-friendly.
Children’s Tea Party Invitations
DIY Teapot Invitations: Craft teapot-shaped invitations from colorful cardstock. Decorate them with glitter, stickers, or even small bows. Include all the party details inside the teapot shape. These unique invitations will set the tone for a fun and elegant tea party.
Design Inspiration
Garden Theme Decor: If you have an outdoor space, consider a garden theme. Use potted plants, flowers, and greenery to create a beautiful setting. You can hang string lights or lanterns in the trees to add a magical touch. If indoors, bring the garden vibe inside with floral tablecloths and plenty of fresh flowers in vases.
Paper Doilies and Lace: Use paper doilies as placemats or under teacups to add a touch of elegance. You can also drape lace over the tablecloths for an extra fancy look. These inexpensive items can make your table setting look more sophisticated.
Mismatched Teacups and Saucers: For a charming and eclectic look, use mismatched teacups and saucers. You can find these at thrift stores or ask friends and family to lend some. This creates a whimsical and relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for a kids’ tea party.
Themed Table Settings: Choose a specific theme for your table settings, such as “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” from Alice in Wonderland. Use playful elements like mismatched chairs, quirky teapots, and bright colors. This can make the party feel even more special and memorable.
Name Place Cards: Create personalized place cards for each child. You can use small pieces of cardstock and write their names in fancy script. Add a little decoration, such as a flower or a small teacup illustration, to make each card unique. This can make the kids feel important and special.
Balloon Arch or Garland: Create a beautiful balloon arch or garland in pastel colors to frame the entrance to the tea party area or as a backdrop for photos. This adds a festive and visually appealing element to the decor. Balloons can be arranged in various shapes and sizes to add depth and interest.
Menu Planning for a Kids Tea Party
The menu is a big part of the fun. Kids love finger foods, so think small and bite-sized. Mini sandwiches, like cucumber and cream cheese or ham and cheese, are always a hit. Cut them into fun shapes using cookie cutters. Add some fruits like strawberries, grapes, and apple slices for a healthy touch.
For the tea, you don’t have to stick to the traditional. Many kids enjoy herbal teas, which are caffeine-free and come in various flavors like peppermint or chamomile. If tea isn’t their thing, you can offer lemonade, juice, or even chocolate milk served in teacups for a fun twist.
Ideas for What to Serve at a Tea Party for Kids
- Mini Quiches: These bite-sized savory treats are perfect for a tea party. You can make them in various flavors, like spinach and cheese, ham and cheese, or mushroom and onion. They are easy to eat and can be made ahead of time.
- Scones with Jam and Cream: Scones are a classic tea party staple. Serve them with strawberry jam and clotted cream for an authentic touch. If you can’t find clotted cream, whipped cream or butter works just as well. You can also add a variety of jams and preserves to give the kids some choices.
- Fruit Kebabs: Skewer a variety of colorful fruits like strawberries, grapes, pineapple, and melon. These are healthy, easy to eat, and add a vibrant touch to the table. You can even drizzle a bit of honey or serve with a yogurt dip for extra flavor.
- Mini Cupcakes: Small cupcakes are always a hit with kids. Decorate them with pastel-colored frosting and sprinkles to match the tea party theme. You can even let the kids decorate their own cupcakes as an activity.
- Cheese and Crackers: Create a simple cheese platter with a variety of mild cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda, paired with assorted crackers. Add some sliced apples and grapes for a sweet and savory combination.
Kids Activities and Tea Party Games
Keep the little ones entertained with some engaging activities. Crafting is always a good option. Set up a station where kids can decorate their own teacups using stickers, markers, or paint. This not only keeps them busy but also gives them a personalized souvenir to take home.
Another fun idea is a scavenger hunt. Create a list of items for the kids to find around the house or yard. This can include things like a red flower, a small rock, or a toy. It’s a great way to get them moving and exploring.
Storytime can also be a wonderful addition to the party. Choose a few favorite books and gather the children around to listen. This gives them a chance to relax and enjoy a good story together.
Ideas for Tea Party Games and Kids Activities
Teacup Relay Race: Organize a relay race where kids balance a plastic teacup on a saucer while walking from one point to another. Make it more challenging by adding small obstacles they have to navigate around. The first team to complete the relay without dropping their teacup wins a small prize.
Pin the Handle on the Teacup: This is a tea party twist on the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Make a big poster of a teacup and give the children cut-out handles to tape on the back. Blindfold each child and see who can pin the handle closest to the correct spot.
Tea Bag Toss: Create a fun and easy game by using a large teapot-shaped cutout with a hole in the middle. Kids can toss bean bags (designed to look like tea bags) and try to get them through the hole. Adjust the distance to make it more or less challenging based on the children’s ages.
Tea Party Games and Kids Activities
Create Your Own Tea Blends: Set up a small station with various dried herbs and flowers like chamomile, mint, and rose petals. Provide small bags or jars, and let the kids create their own custom tea blends to take home. This activity is both educational and fun, as they can learn about different herbs and their flavors.
Storybook Tea Party: Read a beloved children’s book that fits the tea party theme, like “Fancy Nancy: Tea for Two” or “Tea Party Rules” by Ame Dyckman. After the story, discuss the book with the children and perhaps even act out some of the scenes. This activity combines storytelling with interactive play.
Teacup Flower Arranging: Provide small teacups and an assortment of artificial flowers, leaves, and decorative stones. Let the kids create their own mini flower arrangements. This activity is creative and gives them a lovely keepsake to take home. It’s also a great way to introduce the basic principles of floral design.
Tea Party Game
This tea party game set includes a poster, 24 teacup stickers, and eye masks, perfect for a fun pin-the-teacup game. Ideal for girls’ parties, it also doubles as decor. High-quality materials ensure durability and comfort during play.
Dress Code and Etiquette
Encourage the children to dress up for the occasion. They can wear their fanciest clothes, hats, or even costumes. It’s all about making them feel special and adding to the fun of the event.
Teach them some basic tea party etiquette. Show them how to hold a teacup, say “please” and “thank you,” and take turns speaking. It’s a great opportunity to introduce some manners in a fun, relaxed setting.
Ideas for Proper Attire and Manners
- Classic Dresses: Think floral prints, pastel colors, and light fabrics like cotton or linen. These dresses are perfect for a traditional tea party look. Add a ribbon or bow for extra charm.
- Fancy Hats: A tea party isn’t complete without fancy hats. Wide-brimmed hats decorated with flowers, ribbons, or lace can make the kids feel elegant and special. You can even have a hat-decorating station at the party.
- Pearl Necklaces: Fake pearl necklaces can add a touch of sophistication to any outfit. They are safe for kids and make them feel like they’re part of a fancy event.
- Button-Up Shirts and Vests: For boys or girls who prefer a more tailored look, a button-up shirt paired with a vest can be stylish. Choose light colors and add a bow tie for a polished finish.
- Tutu Skirts: These are fun and playful, perfect for a whimsical tea party. Pair them with a simple top and a little cardigan to complete the look.
- Gloves: Little white or pastel-colored gloves can make kids feel like they are part of a royal tea party. These are especially fun for older children who enjoy playing dress-up.
- Sundresses: Comfortable and cute, sundresses are great for outdoor tea parties. They come in various prints and colors, making it easy to find one that matches the party theme.
- Fairy Wings: Add a magical element with fairy wings. They can be paired with simple dresses or skirts and tops. Kids love the idea of being fairies, and it adds a playful touch to their outfits.
Party Favors
Send the kids home with a little something to remember the day. Small bags filled with goodies like stickers, small toys, or even a packet of tea can be a sweet touch. Personalized teacups they decorated or a framed group photo from the party can also be great keepsakes.
Ideas for Children’s Tea Party Favors
- Miniature Tea Sets: These can be found in toy stores or online. A tiny tea set is a perfect memento for a tea party, and kids will love playing with them at home.
- Decorative Fans: Small, colorful folding fans can add a bit of elegance to the party. They are inexpensive and can be found in many party supply stores.
- Personalized Tea Bags: Create custom tea bags with the names of each child. You can use herbal or fruit teas, which are kid-friendly.
- Cookie Cutters: Fun-shaped cookie cutters can inspire future baking adventures. Look for shapes like teapots, cups, or flowers to match the tea party theme.
- Bracelets or Necklaces: Simple, cute jewelry can make kids feel special. Look for inexpensive, colorful options that suit the party’s theme.
- Stickers or Temporary Tattoos: Choose designs that match the tea party theme, such as teacups, flowers, or fancy hats. Kids love these and they are easy to apply.
- Coloring Books and Crayons: Small coloring books with tea party-themed images and a set of crayons can provide entertainment long after the party ends.
- Bubbles: Little bottles of bubbles are always a hit. They are perfect for outdoor play and can keep kids entertained for hours.
- Tea Party Hats: Provide small, decorated hats that the kids can wear during the party and take home as a keepsake. You can even have a hat-decorating activity during the party.
- Miniature Books: Tiny, themed books or fairy tale collections can be a delightful gift. Look for small editions that are easy for kids to carry and enjoy.
Final Thoughts
Throwing a kids tea party doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a bit of planning and a lot of heart, you can create a memorable experience that the kids will talk about for weeks. It’s all about enjoying simple pleasures and spending time together. So, gather those teacups and get ready for an afternoon of fun and laughter.
