Tea Party Ideas for Kids
If you’re looking for a fun, adorable, and oh-so-sophisticated way to entertain the little ones, a tea party is the way to go. Picture this: tiny tea cups, cute dresses, and delicious treats. It’s like stepping into a fairy tale!
There are so many ways to incorporate a tea party theme into a kids party. Here are some fantastic tea party ideas to get you started.
Fun Tea Party Themes For Kids
Forget about a plain tea party, jazz up the fun with these party themes.
1. Fairy Garden Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Send out invitations with fairy wings and magical sparkles.
- Decorations: Create a fairy garden with toadstools, twinkling fairy lights, and lots of flowers.
- Dress Code: Encourage kids to come dressed as fairies, with wings and flower crowns.
- Activities: Build fairy houses, have a fairy dance-off, and enjoy a fairy tale story time.
Menu Ideas
- Fairy Sandwiches: Mini sandwiches cut into butterfly and flower shapes.
- Magic Wands: Pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.
- Fairy Dust Popcorn: Popcorn sprinkled with edible glitter.
2. Princess Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Use glittery, royal-themed princess invitations.
- Decorations: Decorate with castle cutouts, tiaras, and royal banners.
- Dress Code: Princess gowns, tiaras, and capes.
- Activities: Crown-making craft, princess parade, and a royal ball.
Menu Ideas
- Royal Scones: Classic scones with jam and clotted cream.
- Princess Punch: Pink lemonade with floating fruit.
- Crown Cookies: Sugar cookies decorated with royal icing.
3. Teddy Bear Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Cute invitations featuring teddy bears having a tea party.
- Decorations: Soft blankets, picnic baskets, and lots of teddy bears.
- Dress Code: Casual attire with teddy bear accessories.
- Activities: Teddy bear parade, teddy bear dress-up, and a bear-themed story time.
Menu Ideas
- Bear Sandwiches: Sandwiches cut into teddy bear shapes.
- Honey Cookies: Cookies made with honey for a sweet touch.
- Bear Paw Treats: Chocolate Rice Krispie treats shaped like bear paws.
4. Alice in Wonderland Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Cute invitations with "Don't be late for a very important date!"
- Decorations: Playing cards, teapots, and clocks set to 6 o’clock.
- Dress Code: Characters from the story like Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts.
- Activities: Mad Hatter hat-making, a game of croquet, and a tea cup relay race.
Menu Ideas
- Eat Me Cakes: Small cakes with “Eat Me” labels.
- Drink Me Bottles: Bottles of juice labeled “Drink Me.”
- Cheshire Cat Grin Sandwiches: Sandwiches with smiling faces drawn on with food-safe markers.
5. Mermaid Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Shimmery, under-the-sea themed invitations.
- Decorations: Seashells, blue and green streamers, and mermaid tails.
- Dress Code: Mermaid costumes, with tails and seashell crowns.
- Activities: Shell painting, mermaid themed party games, and a mermaid treasure hunt.
Menu Ideas
- Mermaid Sandwiches: Sandwiches shaped like seashells.
- Ocean Jello Cups: Blue Jello with gummy fish inside.
- Starfish Cookies: Star-shaped cookies with blue and green icing.
6. Superhero Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Bold, comic book-style invitations.
- Decorations: Capes, masks, and superhero logos.
- Dress Code: Superhero costumes with capes and masks.
- Activities: Superhero training camp, mask decorating, and fun superhero party games.
Menu Ideas
- Power Sandwiches: Sandwiches with superhero-themed cutouts.
- Hero Juice: Colorful fruit juices labeled with different superhero names.
- Super Cookies: Cookies decorated with superhero symbols.
7. Unicorn Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Rainbow-colored, unicorn-themed invitations.
- Decorations: Rainbow streamers, unicorn balloons, and lots of glitter.
- Dress Code: Unicorn horns, rainbow tutus, and sparkly clothes.
- Activities: Unicorn horn crafting, a rainbow dance party, and unicorn party games.
Menu Ideas
- Unicorn Toast: Colorful toast with different spreads and sprinkles.
- Rainbow Fruit Skewers: Skewers with a variety of colorful fruits.
- Unicorn Cupcakes: Cupcakes with pastel frosting and edible glitter.
8. Pirate Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Pirate map-style invitations.
- Decorations: Pirate flags, treasure chests, and gold coins.
- Dress Code: Pirate costumes with hats, eye patches, and striped shirts.
- Activities: Pirate Treasure hunt, pirate ship building, and “walk the plank” game.
Menu Ideas
- Pirate Sandwiches: Sandwiches cut into skull and crossbones shapes.
- Gold Coin Cookies: Round cookies decorated with gold icing.
- Treasure Chest Treats: Boxes filled with chocolate coins and small candies.
9. Dinosaur Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Dinosaur-themed invitations with cute illustrations.
- Decorations: Dinosaur footprints, jungle leaves, and toy dinosaurs.
- Dress Code: Dinosaur costumes or t-shirts with dinosaur prints.
- Activities: Dino dig, dinosaur games and crafts, and a dinosaur parade.
Menu Ideas
- Dino Sandwiches: Sandwiches cut into dinosaur shapes.
- Dinosaur Eggs: Rice Krispie treats shaped like eggs with little dinosaurs inside.
- Herbivore Snacks: Veggie cups with a variety of fresh vegetables.
10. Rainbow Tea Party
Theme Details
- Invitations: Bright, rainbow-colored invitations.
- Decorations: Rainbow streamers, balloons, and colorful table settings.
- Dress Code: Bright, rainbow-colored clothes.
- Activities: Rainbow crafts, a rainbow scavenger hunt, and a color dance party.
Menu Ideas
- Rainbow Sandwiches: Sandwiches with different colored fillings.
- Rainbow Fruit Salad: A mix of colorful fruits in a bowl.
- Rainbow Cupcakes: Cupcakes with layers of different colored frosting.
Tea Party Ideas
Invitations: Set the Scene
The magic starts with the invitation. Get creative with homemade cards that reflect the tea party theme. Use pastel colors, lace, and maybe even a little glitter. Here are some ideas:
- Tea Bag Invitations: Use cardstock to create a tea bag shape, and attach a string with a little tag that says, “You’re Invited!”
- Teapot Cutouts: Print or draw teapot shapes and write the party details inside.
- Digital Invitations: If you’re short on time, there are plenty of adorable tea party-themed e-invites available online.
Dress Code: Fancy and Fun
What’s a tea party without fancy attire? Encourage the kids to dress up in their finest. Think dresses, bow ties, and cute hats. You could even have a dress-up station with fun accessories like feather boas, pearls, and tiaras. This adds an extra layer of excitement and makes for fantastic photo opportunities.
Decorations: Transform the Space
Creating the right ambiance is key. You want the kids to feel like they’ve stepped into a whimsical wonderland. Here are some decoration ideas:
- Table Settings: Use a pretty tablecloth, and set the table with mismatched china for a charming, vintage look. Don’t forget the napkins and silverware!
- Centerpieces: Fresh flowers in teapots make beautiful centerpieces. You can also use tiered cake stands to display treats.
- Banners and Bunting: Hang pastel-colored banners and bunting to add a festive touch. You can even make paper flowers to string across the room.
- Fairy Lights: Twinkling lights add a magical feel to any tea party. Drape them around the room or over the table.
Food: Delicious Delights
Tea parties are all about the treats. Here’s a mix of savory and sweet ideas that kids will love:
Savory Snacks
- Mini Sandwiches: Cut sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters. Fillings like cucumber, ham and cheese, and egg salad are kid-friendly.
- Veggie Cups: Serve cut veggies in little cups with a dollop of ranch dip at the bottom.
- Cheese and Crackers: Arrange cheese slices and crackers on a platter. Add some fruit like grapes or apple slices for variety.
Sweet Treats
- Cupcakes: Mini cupcakes with pastel frosting are always a hit. Decorate them with edible flowers or sprinkles.
- Cookies: Sugar cookies shaped like teapots, cups, and flowers. Let the kids decorate them as an activity.
- Fruit Kabobs: Skewer a variety of fruits for a healthy and colorful treat.
- Scones: Serve with clotted cream and jam. You can find simple recipes online to make them from scratch.
Drinks
- Tea: Serve a variety of caffeine-free herbal teas. Chamomile, mint, and fruit teas are good options.
- Lemonade: For kids who might not be into tea, lemonade is a refreshing alternative.
- Milk and Juice: Always have some kid-friendly beverages on hand.
- Mocktails: For something a little fancier, create a signature kid friendly mocktail for the party. It could be swamp juice for a Dinosaur party or Princess Punch for a princess themed party.
Activities: Keep Them Entertained
To keep the little guests entertained, plan some fun activities that fit the tea party theme.
Tea Party Crafts
- Decorate Teacups: Provide plain teacups and saucers along with markers or paints. Let the kids create their own designs to take home as a keepsake.
- Make Your Own Fascinator: Supply materials like headbands, feathers, flowers, and ribbons. The kids can create their own fancy headwear.
Games
- Tea Bag Toss: Create a bean bag toss game using small tea bags filled with rice or beans.
- Pass the Teapot: Play this game like “Hot Potato,” but use a plastic teapot. When the music stops, the child holding the teapot is out.
- Tea Party Bingo: Create bingo cards with tea party-themed images. Use candies or buttons as markers.
Story Time
Gather the kids around and read a tea party-themed story. “Fancy Nancy: Tea for Two” and “The Duchess Bakes a Cake” are great options.
Favors: Send Them Home with a Smile
End the party on a sweet note with some adorable party favors. Here are some ideas:
- Mini Teapots: Small plastic or ceramic teapots filled with candy or small toys.
- Tea Party Kits: Put together little kits with a tea bag, a cookie, and a small craft.
- Personalized Mugs: Have each child’s name written on a mug that they can take home.
Tips for a Smooth Tea Party
Plan Ahead
Make a checklist of everything you’ll need and plan out the schedule. This will help the day run smoothly.
Keep It Simple
While it’s tempting to go all out, remember that simple can be just as effective. The kids will be delighted by the smallest details.
Get Help
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s another parent or an older sibling, having an extra set of hands can make a big difference.
Take Lots of Photos
You’ll want to capture all the adorable moments. Consider setting up a photo booth with props for some extra fun shots.
Have Fun!
Most importantly, enjoy the day! Your excitement and joy will be contagious, making the tea party an unforgettable experience for everyone.
A kids' tea party is a great way to celebrate any occasion, from birthdays to playdates. With a little creativity and planning, you can create a magical event that your child and their friends will remember for years to come.
So, put on your fanciest hat, pour yourself a cup of tea, and get ready for an enchanting afternoon filled with laughter, fun, and lots of sweet memories.