Decorating and Tea Party Menu Ideas

Children's tea parties need not stick to the classic, three-course structure of most formal teas (sandwiches, scones, and desserts) and can be modified depending on the time of day and the age of the children.

• As to the tea itself, the hostess is usually responsible for pouring the tea. If your child is not old enough to comfortably serve tea, you as parents may want to dress as the "maid" and "butler" and serve the tea.
  
  
• A canopy can be formed over the center of tea table using colored streamers. Streamers should cascade from a bow in the middle to the sides of the room. Balloons may be tied in bunches of three and tied to the backs of chairs or near the tea table.
  
  
• Set up an area for dolls or stuffed animals on a pretty quilt or picnic blanket. Having miniature tea cups or plates for the dolls and bears will add to the effect. You can even put a small candy heart in each stuffed friend's lap as a surprise for the children at the end of the party.
  
  
• The "tea" may be iced tea, lemonade, a lemonade/ice tea mixture, or a fancy pink punch.
  
  
• Use flower or heart-shaped cookie cutters to make tea biscuits and sandwiches. Simple jelly or fruit-flavored cream cheese sandwiches may be more popular with young taste buds than more traditional tea sandwiches. Pink sandwiches can be created by baking challah bread and using a few drops of red food coloring in the dough.

Get more girls tea party ideas from our sister site, BirthdayinaBox.com.