How Do You Host A Children’s Tea Party?

Tea parties have a magical mystique that embraces those of all ages. As adults, when we sit down to tea, we are transported back to our childhood. Having tea with our own children is about sharing that experience we will always hold near and dear to our hearts. So, how do you host a children’s tea party?

Hey there busy moms…get everything you need for tea time in Children’s Teatime Gift Set. All you need to provide are the kiddos, teddy bears, and teaware! If you’re looking for a tea house “near me,” stop by the Hummingbird Tearoom and see us!

What Is A Children’s Tea Party?

Most of us fondly remember our childhood when we would poise our teddy bear, a favorite doll, or action figure around a table. Whether pretending to have a family meal or sipping tea, almost every child (boy and girl) has done this. A tea party is not gender-specific and should be something all children get to experience.

So, how do you host a children’s tea party that’s gender-neutral?

Tea Parties Aren’t Just For Girls

A child’s bedroom is their castle where imagination and creativity come to life. The little table and chairs our parents assembled and put in our rooms were a place where the magic happened. Crayon pictures, puzzle time, and much more were among the many activities that those little tables hosted. 

Little brothers and sisters came together with their GI Joe and Cabbage Patch dolls at the little table where mom placed a plate of cookies and sippy cups full of milk. Pretend bites of cookie and sips of milk were, of course, enjoyed by the manly military action figure and the cute yarn-haired baby doll.

If we could only bottle up this window of time where boys and girls knew no boundaries when it came to toys and pretend-play, it would be wonderful! Planning a tea party for both genders past the toddler age can be challenging because boys perceive tea as something “girly.” So, just how do you host a tea party where boys feel comfortable? 

Well, it all comes down to how the event is presented. It starts with the invitation. Decorations, the ambiance, activities, and even menu items should appeal to children in general and not a specific gender. Perhaps the pink decor, flowers, and dainty teaware aren’t suitable for an occasion such as this because we want to make sure all feel welcomed and at ease.

How To Host A Tea Party For Young Children

We have a super uber-fun idea for a tea party for children. Toddlers can get in on the fun but will need a parent to supervise them.

The Invitation

Getting creative is a must for invitations because this is where you’ll either gain or lose attendees (boys.) Girls absolutely love tea parties, but how do we get the boys to come? We have a few ideas for creating the perfect invitation.

Make it appealing for boys by incorporating something they like while also including something girls love. Why not combine dinosaurs and unicorns? It’s more non-gender specific by taking the emphasis from “tea party” and replacing it with “T-party.” Hiring someone to come in dressed as a T-Rex to act as a co-host during the actual tea time makes the whole event super exciting for all of the children. 

What Activities Do You Do At A Tea Party For Kids?

Small children can quickly get bored by sitting at a table for tea, so including some fun activities makes it exciting. Bounce houses, dinosaur egg dig, craft stations, puppet shows, and pony rides on a “unicorn” pony add magic to the entire event.

Something unusual and fun to do at a children’s tea party is to paint with tea. You’ll need to have the tea and supplies ready before the party begins.

Things You’ll Need:

(for each child)

• Paintbrush 
• Small bowl for the tea paint
• Piece of watercolor paper 
• A line with a few clothespins to hang the pictures up to dry afterward
• 6 tea bags per child to make tea paint
• 1 small bottle of vanilla flavoring

Directions (Prepare ahead of time)

1. Brew all of the teabags to make the tea paint.
2. Bring water to a boil.
3. Add the tea bags, cover, and allow to steep for several hours.
4. The tea should be cool and at room temperature.
5. Remove the cover and leave the tea bags in the water.
6. Pour the bottle of vanilla into the brewed tea.
7. Pour the tea (including the tea bags) into a container and allow it to sit on the kitchen counter overnight.
8. Just before party time, remove the teabags being careful not to puncture them.
9. Pour a small amount of tea paint into each bowl for the children.

Painting with tea is fun and relaxing for all ages!

When there are small children running all over, it helps to have extra sets of eyes and hands to help you out. Keeping your list of invitees to a handful makes it much more fun and less stressful. 

Don’t forget to include a goodie bag to take home with them to remember this enchanting tea (which, to most of them, was a party.)

What Tea Is Good For Kids Tea Party?

The last thing you want to serve to children is caffeinated tea. You can also get creative with decaffeinated tea. In going with our “Dinosaur and Unicorn” theme, green tea is mentioned on the invitation. You can get decaf green tea at your local grocer. Adding frozen blueberries to it just before serving makes it taste wonderful and who knows, it could be “dragon juice with unicorn fruit!”

Our Children’s Tea Gift Set is perfect for a small gathering; it has everything you need! For tea party ideas for adults, just ask our “Tea Lady!”

Click the teatime picture below for more information.

How Do You Host A Children’s Tea Party For Older Kids?

The most important thing to planning a kid’s tea party is to make it casual and, most of all, make it fun. As much as we love and embrace tea time etiquette, the little ones aren’t there quite yet. We can certainly include a few of those do’s and don’ts of tea time as they grow older. For now, we are introducing them to the world of tea.

Tea Party Ideas For Kids: Older Boys And Girl

What are things that little boys and girls love? Whether it’s a character, game, or toy, you can incorporate those into a tea party. Some of the latest toy trends with kids are fidgets (what we know as stress busters.) As much as we may dislike these strange monstrosities that keep our kids entertained, planning a tea party around them can be done.

When you combine fidgets with a bit of STEM, guess what? You have the makings for a wacky, modern-day version of “Alice in Wonderland” tea party! So, let’s get to planning this bizarre and unique tea party!

The Invitation

Getting older kids interested in something tea-related will be close to impossible, so let’s see how we can be a bit creative. 

Activity

Set up an activity table with place settings for each child, complete with a fidget spinner building kit. Depending on how complex the kits are, you may need an extra adult to help the kids out if needed. There are plenty of fidgets that can be made from scratch or a kit.

Dress-Up

For tea, children’s clothing should be fun. In keeping with the fidget theme, why not have the kids wear propeller hats? 

Children’s Afternoon Tea Menu

Our “Fidget-T” party will feature bubble tea, and because this tea can be filling, having scones with clotted cream and marmalade is perfect. Planning this tea for mid-afternoon works well because it won’t fall close to lunch or dinner time.

“What if I want to book a children’s tea party at a tea room near me?” Give us a call! We also have scrumptious bakery-made-from-scratch items to add to your tea party! Contact us to order. 

Child Tea Party Menu Ideas

The children’s afternoon tea menu will need to include everything you’ll need for bubble tea. We’ve compiled a list below. Scones should be made ahead of time. Little finger sandwiches can also be included if the kid’s appetites are robust.

Bubble Tea

• Tapioca pearls (¼ cup per child)
• 2 cups of milk per child
• Wide straws (one per child)
• Tall clear cups or glasses (one per child)
• Ice
• Fresh strawberries (about ½ cup per child) (washed and diced)
• Heavy whipping cream (¼ cup per child)

Scones

• Scones (one per child) (made ahead of time or bakery fresh)

Scone mix included in the Children’s Tea Party Gift Box

Spread for Scones (in lieu of clotted cream if you can’t find some)

• Cream cheese
• ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream
• Strawberry jam

Directions:

(To do ahead of time)

1. Whip the heavy whipping cream on high with a mixer until stiff. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Wash and dice the fresh strawberries.
3. Place the diced strawberries and milk in a blender. 
4. Pulsate the blender one or two times to slightly mix the milk and strawberries. Refrigerate.
5. Chill the glasses/cups.
6. Mix the cream cheese with the ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream. Refrigerate until ready to use.
7. Place tapioca pearls in the refrigerator to chill.

(Just before the kids are ready to make their bubble teas…)

• Take the tapioca pearls out of the refrigerator.
• Set the following out on the table:
  • Chilled cups/glasses
  • Bowl of ice
  • Pitcher of strawberry milk
  • Bowl of cream cheese/whipped cream (for scones)
  • Strawberry jam
  • Whipped cream (topping for bubble tea)
  • Scones
  • Straws
  • Tapioca pearls

Now it’s showtime! Allow the kids to make their bubble tea. Bubble teas are layered in a specific order.

1. Add ¼ cup of tapioca pearls to the glass/cup.
2. Add the ice until the glass/cup is about ¾ full.
3. Pour in the strawberry milk.
4. Place a dollop of whipped cream on top.
5. Insert a straw and enjoy!

The “icing on the cake” is the loose leaf tea (for hot tea) and sugar cubes and other goodies in one box for a super easy tea time with the kiddos!

Tea Party Ideas For Little Girls

Planning a tea party for girls is something most every mother cherishes. Whether it’s a casual affair with teddy bears, dolls, and a friend or two, or it’s a little girl tea party birthday event, tea time is woven into a little girl’s childhood.

Little girls love everything there is about being a princess. Make the tea royal and grand by including dress-up with princess dresses, hats, gloves, jewelry, and little purses. More importantly, don’t forget a little tea set. Little girls are content to pretend-play with plastic teaware and pretend sips of tea. Make it more authentic with real tea (decaffeinated) and tiny scones or cookies.

What Is Children’s Tea Time All About?

Whether you celebrate tea with a grandiose party or sit down with your son and daughter at a small kids’ table with the teddy bears, tea is all about intentions. Setting aside the intentional time of pretend tea or the real deal with your children makes them feel special. Start them young and help foster tea time so they embrace what money can’t buy – time.

We would LOVE to hear about your memories of childhood tea or tea time with your own children. Share your stories, comments, and pictures!

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Whether you are planning a tea party for several children or just a few, we have everything you need for tea time in our Children’s Tea Gift Set.