Baby Tea Party Ideas
Experience, Read, Sing, and Play
Tea Party
This series is inspired by the principals of literacy promoted by our local library: Talk, Sing, Read, Write, and Play. I replaced “talk” with “experience” to provide activity ideas that you can talk during or talk about before and after the experience. I also took out the writing portion since my child is not yet old enough to write (6 months at the time this blog first posted.)
Experience
My first introduction to a tea party was at my Grandma’s house. She had a sweet little vintage tea set but she didn’t like tea (a trait I inherited from her) so she served us diet coke instead. I LOVED playing tea with my grandma, which is probably why I love splurging on high tea to this day (though I’ve since replaced the diet coke with champagne.) I’m hoping to share this love of afternoon tea time with my son and I already took him to his first tea, starting off with a bang with a Peter Rabbit-themed tea at the Peninsula Hotel.
Left: Peter-Rabbit Tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago; Middle: Tea at the Plaza Hotel in NYC; Right: Tea at the St. Regis in Miami.
My Top 5 Tea Recommendations:
The Peter Rabbit Themed Tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago (or their regular tea service if the Peter Rabbit tea is no longer running)
Eloise Tea in the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel in NYC (based on the Eloise books)
Alice in Wonderland Tea at The Langham (my friends say their regular afternoon tea is the best they’ve been to in Chicago)
The Palm Court at the Drake Hotel (this was one of the first teas I attended after moving to Chicago, it was a real treat)
I was pleasantly surprised to find that most high teas, especially at hotels, have reduced pricing for children - it really is a kid-friendly experience. With the exception of the American Girl tea time, these are all quite gender-neutral as I would love to see more boys engage in tea parties. I found some great gender-neutral tea party books below, keep reading!
Read
Reading books about tea parties to kids offers a charming and engaging experience with numerous benefits:
Promoting Social Skills: Tea parties are often social events where children come together to interact, share food, and engage in conversation. Reading books about tea parties can teach children important social skills such as communication, cooperation, and etiquette as they learn how to host and participate in tea gatherings.
Encouraging Imagination and Creativity: Tea party-themed books often feature imaginative scenarios, whimsical settings, and fanciful characters, sparking children's imagination and creativity. They can imagine themselves hosting their own tea parties, planning menus, and decorating tables with imaginative flair.
Enhancing Vocabulary and Language Skills: Tea party books expose children to new vocabulary words, descriptive language, and storytelling techniques. They learn about different types of tea, teatime treats, and table settings, expanding their vocabulary and improving their language skills.
Teaching Manners and Etiquette: Tea parties provide opportunities to teach children about manners and etiquette, such as saying "please" and "thank you," taking turns, and using polite table manners. Reading books about tea parties can reinforce these important social conventions in a fun and engaging way.
Fostering Bonding and Connection: Tea parties are often associated with warmth, hospitality, and friendship, creating opportunities for bonding and connection among participants. Reading tea party books with family and friends can strengthen relationships and create lasting memories of shared experiences.
Introducing Cultural Traditions: Tea has a rich cultural history and is celebrated in various traditions around the world. Reading books about tea parties can introduce children to different cultural customs and rituals associated with tea drinking, fostering an appreciation for diversity and global perspectives.
Promoting Healthy Eating Habits: Tea party books often feature a variety of delicious and nutritious foods such as sandwiches, fruits, and pastries. Children can learn about healthy eating habits as they read about balanced menus and tasty teatime treats.
Encouraging Role-Playing and Pretend Play: Tea parties inspire children to engage in imaginative role-playing and pretend play as they take on the roles of hosts, guests, and servers. They can use their creativity to plan and organize their own tea parties, fostering imaginative play and storytelling skills.
Stimulating Sensory Experiences: Tea party books describe sensory experiences such as the sights, smells, and tastes of teatime treats and beverages, engaging children's senses and enhancing their reading experience. They can imagine the aroma of freshly brewed tea, the taste of sweet treats, and the sound of clinking teacups.
Creating Memorable Experiences: Reading books about tea parties with children creates memorable experiences and traditions that they can cherish for years to come. They may fondly recall the stories they read together and recreate tea party scenes with family and friends, creating a sense of warmth and nostalgia.
In summary, reading books about tea parties to kids offers a delightful and educational experience that promotes social skills, imagination, vocabulary development, manners, cultural awareness, healthy eating habits, and sensory exploration. Whether children are planning their own tea parties, enjoying teatime treats, or engaging in imaginative play, tea party books provide valuable opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection with others.
