Tea Party Ideas

Most little girls dream of dress up. If your little girl is one that dresses up her teddy bears and has fancy “teas” with her stuff animals, perhaps you can pull out all the stops and have a fancy tea party as a birthday party. Planning ahead will help keep the expenses down and make it a day that every child will be sure to remember. There are a host of ideas and tools to help make your child’s special day a success.

Invitations set the mood for the whole party. Get your child dressed in their finest “tea clothes” and make a formal invitation with her picture included. Make sure that you indicate the dress code and that coming fancy is completely appropriate. Perhaps add that “tea finery favors will be provided” so that girls can come to the party and get the extras as part of dress up. This will create a mood of anticipation starting with the invitations. If you don't want to use a picture on the actual invitation, these tea party invitation is perfect for the occasion.

Once children arrive, you can have a “makeup center” so that they can add the finery favors. Pass out inexpensive boas, gloves, bead necklaces, and lip-gloss. Let the girls interact while awaiting “tea time”. While they are waiting, you can throw a little tea history in with storytelling in the fun British accent.

For foods, think wedding reception foods if you don’t have the chance to go to high tea and get ideas for the menu. Cucumber sandwiches or other small triangular sandwiches, along with the teapot and cream and sugar. Scones and tiny cakes can be served, in leiu of a large cake. Make sure that the girls all get a chance to taste everything.

Serve the food on a fun and summery decorated table, with frilly cloths and teacup place settings. One neat idea you can use is to purchase teacups from a thrift store (mismatched are ok) and send them home as a party favor for the girls to play with later. Make sure that the girls have a chance to ask (in the British accent) for cream and sugar, please.

Activities can include “pin the tail on the butterfly”, “hot teapot” (that can get passed without being broken), and perhaps include an activity that will keep little ones busy. Have them design a tea hat for pictures, or perhaps a foam purse to carry party favors home in (maybe a tea bag so they can make tea at home).

Your tea party is sure to be a hit. Little girls never stop wanting to dress up and this opportunity will give them a chance to have a formal tea with friends while still playing. The party favors that lend themselves to a tea party are some of the most fun little girls can have. Upon their departure you can give them each tea party favors that are perfect for the occasion.