A Princess Tea Party - Let Your Guests Make the Treats! Tea parties
are a favorite celebration with little girls - who doesn't want to
dress as a princess or fairy and eat sugary treats and drink from
little tea cups? Here's how to plan for this very special royal
party, but with a twist - your guests will make some of the food!
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Princess Tea Party Invitations
First, most parents experienced with parties will imagine this to be
yet another cute, fun and passive party. Perhaps the kids will do
crafts, but then they'll be loaded with sugar and sent home. Time to
surprise them! On your invite, have an icon of a princess hat and a
tea cup, but also a stove and a cooking mitt (though the kids won't
actually be near a stove!)
Inside, announce a cooking party! Ask your guests to arrive in plain
clothing (in case they get messy), but perhaps a fancy hat to keep
with the theme. Announce that they will together be making some of
the finger foods as their fun activity. Let the parents know what
they will be making, and word it in such a way that it will feel
like a craft. For instance, instead of saying simply "fruit on a
stick", say "Your child will experience the joy of creating their
very own royal fruit shish kabobs!"
Note that baked goods and refreshments will be prepared in advance,
and stress how their child will learn some fun and healthy snack
making skills. If you leave out some information, some people could
make the mistake that their child will be forced to make all the
food - and that just won't do!
Setting the Royal Table
Just like a traditional tea party, decorate the room or area with
gold, pink and white lighting, décor and supplies.
A good idea is to use two rooms or separate areas - one as a play
area for games, and another with the large table where they will be
making their snacks.
Cover the table with a pink paper tablecloth, and set each station
with the proper tools necessary to make their food - a plate and a
butter knife, for instance. Allow refreshments like iced tea or
juice to be served while they make their food, but don't yet lay out
any of the baking you have previously prepared. It will only
increase the clutter, and the kids will likely wish to munch on
those snacks rather than make their own.
Set out all the ingredients necessary to make the first snack. (When
choosing snacks, be aware of any food allergies.) If it's a larger
party, it's best to have two sets of ingredients, so little hands
can reach everything. Three to four children per set should be
sufficient. Space them out enough so kids in the middle won't be
confused as to which set of ingredients they should make their snack
from.
Of course, you should have two other adult servers to help with your
princess tea party - you'll be going back and forth from
kitchen to dining room with new sets of ingredients.
Your Little Princess Tea Party Chefs
After half an hour of play, and when all the guests have arrived and
are comfortable, it's time to invite them to the table. Let them
know that for this princess tea party we need snacks and they are
the chefs! With clear, step-by-step instructions, show them how you
make the first snack.
After everybody has finished their culinary masterpiece, it's time
for the next. Remove the ingredients and replace with the next set.
Have your little princesses make two or three snacks (two if it's a
large party.)
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Princess Tea Party Snack Ideas to Make
Fruit Shish Kabobs
Lay out the following, pre-cut ingredients in separate bowls:
Maraschino cherries, drained
mandarin orange slices, drained from a can
other fruit slices
small block of cheese
Wooden skewers
Have each child make their own, sticking fruit slices and cheese on
a skewer in any order.
Cheese Princess Fairy Wands
Lay out the following ingredients on plates and small bowls:
unwrapped cheese slices
bread sticks
cream cheese, out of the refrigerator to soften
Give each child a star-shaped cookie cutter. Have them press it into
the cheese slice to cut out a star. With a butter knife, dab cream
cheese on the bread stick, then press the cheese slice on top to
make a wand.
Fairy Eggs
These are deviled eggs, but with a fairy twist. Lay out in separate
plates and bowls:
Boiled eggs, cut lengthwise and with yolk scooped out
Previously prepared yolk mixture, mashed with mayonnaise and
mustard
Small bowl with the following spices mixed up - paprika, dill
and salt
Give each child two small spoons. Each little chef will take half an
egg and scoop the yolk mixture into the center. With the second
small spoon, scoop some of the spice mixture and lightly powder on
top. Tell them this is the fairy dust!
Teatime Sandwiches
Prepare sandwich slices as follows - cut off all crusts, then gently
roll with a rolling pin to slightly flatten them. Then, cut in half
to make long rectangles.
Also, prepare a favored sandwich filling the night before - egg,
cucumber or tuna salad, for example. When it's time to prepare, lay
out the following:
Slices of bread
Sandwich filling
Have each child spread a thin layer of filling on their bread. Have
them tightly roll the sandwich, then gently press down so it doesn't
unroll.
Time For Tea!
Once their own treats and snacks are finished, remove all
ingredients and utensils. All they will have is their cup of
refreshment and their plate with the snacks they proudly made. Now,
it's time for them to eat everything!
Have them begin eating their creations, and while that is happening,
prepare the table with your own baked goods, cookies, cake and other
appetizers. Set out saucers and tea cups with a small spoon, and new
napkins.
Have actual tea ready and cooled, though most kids will likely not
drink much. Have alternatives such as iced tea and lemonade, served
in the fancy tea cups.
In the goodie bags, have the usual toys and trinkets, but also
include recipes for what the kids made, so they can make it again at
home.
Princess Tea Cup Cookie
Enjoy, and bon appetit!
This Princess Tea Party article was written by Chris Molnar, a
writer and father of two preschool girls. He writes about theme party ideas
and tips for various websites, and owns a blog at Themeaparty.com.