20 Simple Yet Unique Tea Party Ideas For Kids

If your child’s birthday is around the corner, or you feel like having a little get-together for them, you may host a tea party. It might sound unusual, but tea party ideas for kids are trending. Children enjoy munching on snacks and cookies while sipping their favorite sweet drinks. They also like to talk and play with their buddies. Tea parties can be used to teach children table manners (1). However, you should plan well to create a memorable tea party experience–you must consider the theme, guest list, and activities to ensure everything runs smoothly. Thus, we bring you this post with unique tea party ideas to entertain your little ones during the vacation or holidays. Get the materials, prepare secretly, and surprise them.

Kids’ Tea Party Checklist

Planning a children’s event can be overwhelming. If you are worried about missing something, here’s a general tea party checklist you could keep handy.

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20 Tea Party Ideas For Kids

Tea Party Decoration Ideas

Decorating a tea party venue becomes slightly easy when you have a specific theme in your mind. But if you want a simple but aesthetic decoration for the party, here are some amazing ideas to help you out.

1. Colorful balloons

Balloons are essential for any kiddie party. They bring energy and color to the party. Plus, playing with balloons can encourage active engagement.  So, decide a color scheme for the party, and based on it, select the colors for the balloon. If regular balloons do not interest you, you can get the sparkly ones with various designs or those in the shapes of letters, numbers, or hearts. You can cover the entrance, tables, and chairs with balloons. You can also make the center table stand out by decorating it with a balloon bouquet. Remember to keep a balloon pump and pack handy for more balloons if required.

2. Hanging banner

How are your child’s little friends supposed to know which party they have come to? Well, you can let your tiny guests know which party they have come to by hanging a big banner over the venue entrance. The banner can be cut-outs of letters or a big satin banner with the tea party name written on it. Make the banner more attractive by outlining the letters with sparkles. Making banners for the tea party is a creative and engaging crafts activity for children.

3. Canopy

If the party is to be held outdoors, you can build a nice canopy with drapes and curtains. Under it, you can place a table full of sweet treats. You can also build a few small tents where the tiny tots can discuss or play games. For an indoor party, you can cover the ceiling with streamers and some dazzling wall hanging décor accessories.

4. Cute table

Place a small vase with paper or tissue flowers on each table. Or you can shape the cloth towels in an interesting shape and place them on the tables in front of each chair. The kids will have to open the cloth napkins and wear them themselves. To decorate the chairs, you can stick cute cartoon stickers behind them, or even a single balloon will do.

Quick tip

If the weather is nice and warm, set up a table outdoors. Cover it with an adorable floral tablecloth or spread a blanket on the lawn.

5. Teapot for the center display

Since it is a tea party, you can place a big teapot or a cup and saucer on the center table for display. This teapot can have a tiny tap from which kids can drink some fruit juice. Or if you place a large cup and saucer, it can be used to keep some fruit punch, which you can distribute to the kids.

[ Read: Luau Party Ideas ]

Tea Party Menu Ideas

For a kids’ tea party, the food should be yummy and captivating. Here are some interesting children’s tea party menu ideas, from tea to finger foods.

6. Tea

A tea party would be incomplete without some tea, right? Well, for a kids’ tea party, you do not have to serve tea that adults usually drink. Instead, you can give them what they like to drink, such as some hot chocolate or cold milkshake or even just plain milk that they would enjoy sipping on. You can keep some milk or creamer and sugar bowl handy to customize it as per their preferences. If not milk, keep some lemonade, fruit punch, or cocktails that can tickle their taste buds

7. Sandwiches

Sandwiches are easy to make, and kids like them too. It is one of the most versatile kids’ party food ideas because of how customizable it is. Avoid the regular sandwich stuffed with arugula or lettuce for a kids’ party. Instead, go for a peanut butter sandwich, jelly sandwich, or turkey sandwich. If your tiny guests like cheese, then add cheese slices to it. To make it look more appealing for kids, you can slice the hard edges, shape them into small bite-sized pieces, or create different shapes.

8. Mini cakes

A kids’ party would be incomplete without delicious cakes. Don’t let them down, and prepare some impressive tiny cakes or scones for the kids. It can be cupcakes or mini brownies. Decorate the cakes with some cream and sprinkles before serving them in colorful cupcake liners. You could follow a theme for your party. For instance, if it is the Disney theme, your cupcakes can be shaped like the face of a Disney character.

9. Cookies

If you are serving milk, bake some cookies to go with it. You can experiment by having cookies in interesting shapes, like that of a teddy bear or Mickey Mouse. If you prefer to try something safe and easy, then go for some chocolate chip cookies, which are quite popular with kids, or even ginger or maple cookies would do the trick.

Point to consider

Make the party more delightful for your kids by serving them cookies shaped like little tea bags. Make them a couple of days before the party and lay them on every guest’s plate.

10. Macarons

At the center of the table, place a three-tiered stand filled with different macarons that kids can grab and eat whenever they feel like. Or you can fill one level with macarons, and the other two with other sweetmeats. If the party has a theme, the macarons and tableware can match the party’s color palette. If not, go for macarons and centerpieces in different colors, such as brown, yellow, and mint green.

Tea Party Game Ideas

Kids cannot really sit around a table and talk for long. They need some entertainment in the form of dancing or games with exciting prizes to keep them from getting bored.

Brooke, a mother and a nurse practitioner from Indiana, recounts the success of the tea party she organized for her daughter. She describes, “We played a game were they stacked sugar cubes and at the end of one minute whoever had the highest tower won. Then we played a game were they sat in a circle with their eyes closed and I tucked a tea bag into one persons hand. They had to try and guess which one of them had it. That game got lots of giggles (i).”

Here are some game ideas for a children’s tea party.

11. Passing the tea box

Fill a tea box with goodies instead of tea. Ask the kids to sit in a circle and pass the tea box to each other. Every single time the music stops, the child holding the box is out. In the end, the only child left in the circle wins the box full of goodies.

12. Tea puzzle

Create a drawing of a teabag with the flavor written on it. Cut the drawing into pieces, like those in a jigsaw puzzle. Divide the kids into two groups, and ask them to solve the jigsaw puzzle. The team that completes the puzzle first wins the teabag filled with goodies.

13. Tea treasure hunt

If the tea party venue has places where you can hide stuff, you can try hiding small clues around the venue. Divide the kids into two groups and ask them to find the main treasure by solving those clues. The team that reaches the treasure box first wins all the goodies in it.

Quick tip

You can hide different flavors of tea bags in the venue and hand a list of them to the teams. The team that finds all the flavors of tea bags will win the game.

14. Cup and saucer pyramid

Give the kids some plastic teacups and saucers. Ask them to make a teacup pyramid. The one who completes a pyramid first wins the game.

15. Matching cup

Hand each child a saucer with a design on it. Now in a box or table full of cups, ask the child to find the cup that matches the saucer. The first five kids to complete the task win some goodies.

Tea Party Favor Ideas

The choice of party favors depends mostly on your budget. If you have followed a theme for the party, such as a princess, fairy tale, or favorite cartoon character, you can always look for related takeaway tokens. Here are some party favors ideas. Choose one that fits your budget.

16. Pretty teapot

You can surprise your little guests with colorful teapots filled with chocolates in them. Once they are done with the goodies, they can play with the teapot. To add a personal touch, tie a pretty bow on each teapot.

17. Organic tea party soaps

Brands offer organic soaps shaped like a teapot, a teacup, a saucer, a cupcake, or other tea party accessories. These soaps mostly come in a transparent bag and are added with fragrances like chamomile and green tea. You can decorate the bag with ribbons and add a note for your distinguished guests.

18. Painting book and colors

Look for a dessert-painting book consisting of outlines of cookies and muffins that children can paint. Couple it with a small color box that they can use to paint the book. Wrap the gifts and add a sweet “thank you” note.

19. Chocolate tea bags

In a pretty box or bag, fill some chocolate tea bags, which are nothing but tea bags made from chocolate. Kids can dip these tea bags in hot milk to enjoy some hot chocolate, or simply cut the thread and eat them like regular chocolate.

20. Tea satchel

You can fill a satchel with tea-making accessories, such as sachets of tea, honey, cinnamon sticks, and sugar. This will allow your guests to brew some tea when they are at home.

Guide To Planning A Tea Party For Kids

Hosting a kids’ tea party is exciting but requires thoughtful planning and organization. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you organize a memorable event:

1. Set a date (3-4 weeks before): First, choose a date for your child’s tea party. Pick a date that works well for your child and their friends, giving everyone enough time to plan and prepare. 
2. Pick a theme (3 weeks before): Decide on an age-appropriate theme for the party, as it will set the tone for the decorations, food, and activities. It will also help you choose colors, table settings, and party favors that match the vibe. 
3. Send invitations (3 weeks before): Now that you have finalized the theme, create custom invitations. Whether you go with handmade or digital options, make sure they reflect the theme. Send them out at least a week in advance to give your guests enough time to prepare. 
4. Plan the menu (2 weeks before): Create a child-friendly menu with foods that are easy to eat and fun to look at. Don’t forget to note any dietary restrictions or preferences. Mini sandwiches, fruit skewers, and yogurt parfait are some tasty and healthy options you may consider. 
5. Select activities (1-2 weeks before): Plan engaging, age-appropriate activities to ensure everyone has a good time. You can choose something light-hearted, like a simple game of Passing the Tea Box, or something more adventurous, such as a Tea Treasure Hunt.
6. Arrange decorations (1 week before): A week before the tea party is the right time to gather the required decoration items and other accessories. From centerpieces to banners and tea cups, ensure everything is theme-aligned.
7. Prepare party favors (1 week before): Prepare small gift bags with party favors you have selected for your guests. Start assembling these a few days in advance, so you have enough time to focus on organizing other aspects of the party.
8. Final day preparations (A day before and day of): Prepare the food and arrange the party area. Set up decorations and organize all planned activities, ensuring you have all the necessary materials or supplies. Double-check that everything is easily accessible for the guests.

Infographic: Assist Your Child In Hosting A Scrumptious Tea Party

Young children love to play with their kitchen sets and often pretend to prepare and serve tea as they watch an adult do it. So, why not make their imaginations turn to reality by helping them host a tea party for their friends? Check out this infographic for some simple menu ideas for a children’s tea party.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Simple Yet Unique Tea Party Ideas For Kids

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Learn easy DIY tea party ideas for kids. From decorations to food, we’ll show you how to make it special.

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Katherine PaxtonApplied Psychology Program

Katherine Paxton is an internationally-known award winning author of the book “Counselling people on the autism spectrum; A practical manual”. She graduated from a tri-university Applied Psychology Program of Campus Alberta (University of Alberta, Athabaska University, and University of Lethbridge).

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