Tea Party Menu Ideas for Your Tween and Her Friends

Afternoon tea is a fun springtime event for your tween and her friends! Hosting a tea party with your daughter is a great way to teach etiquette, cooking and party planning all at once! A typical tea party is set with tasty sandwiches, buttery scones, decadent desserts, and wide varieties of TEA! Kids are picky so make sure your tea party menu has something for everyone’s taste buds!

Always factor in the season when planning your tea party menu. Try integrating fresh fruits and flowers in honor of springtime! Get creative!

Let’s start with the tea…

The Tea = The “Star” of Every Tea Party Menu

Caffeinated teas are never recommended for kids below 12, however, herbal teas are a great alternative. Herbal teas have a calming effect (great for parents of hyperactive kids), and they mesh beautifully with the fruity/floral add-ins. Here are a few teas we recommend:

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is a soothing tea that’s great for healthy sleep, relaxation, upset stomach, and even muscle pain. Also, it tastes great with lemon!

See our favorite Chamomile Lemon recipe here.

Passionflower Tea

Much like Chamomile, this Native American tea, is great for hyperactivity, sleep, and brain function. It has a pleasantly mild, earthy taste.

Find the Passionflower Tea Recipe here.

Rooibos Tea Infused with Rosehip

Rooibos (red tea) is another herbal tea known for its calming effects. This South-African native is high in antioxidants, providing a more nutritious option for the kids. Infuse it with rosehip oil and top it off with fresh rose petals! This floral tea also pairs well with milk.

Find the Rosy Rooibos Tea Recipe here.

Don’t forget about the sugar cubes! Sugar Cubes are quite expensive in stores, but they’re fun and cost-effective to make. Add flavors like vanilla or use food coloring to complement your décor.

Balance your hot tea options with cold beverages. Some kids may prefer icier drinks!

Berry Hibiscus Iced Tea Lemonade, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, and Fruit Punch are just a few recommendations.

Assorted Tea Sandwiches

Tea sandwiches, also known a finger sandwiches are a major component of your afternoon tea meal. Keep these simple and avoid the “stuffy adult” recipes like egg salad or smoked salmon. Remember to trim the crust or go a step further by using whimsically-shaped cookie cutters.

Try to balance the savory and the sweet. Kids typically love these fillings:

- Ham and Cheese

- Turkey and Mayo

- PB&J

- Tuna Salad

- Nutella and Banana!

- BLT!

The Scones!

A scone is a dense, mildly sweet treat that’s the equivalent to the American biscuit. In England, they are served with clotted cream and preserves/jam. These are different than the super-sweet, glazed American version. If you want a more traditional approach party, go for the British-style scones or American biscuits. Instead of clotted cream, provide familiar options like whipping cream, cream cheese, or butter.

A few kid-friendly recipes include:

- English-Style Scones with Sweet Whipped Butter

- Peanut Butter and Jelly Scones 

- Chocolate Chip Scones

- Raspberry Scones

 Condiments & Spreads (Jams, Jelly, Creams and other things!)

- Whipped Cream

- Raspberry Jam

- Grape Jelly

- Strawberry and Rosewater Jam (if you want to be really fancy)

Pastries and Desserts

The options are endless here. Some kids won’t be familiar with macarons or petit-fours but these are pretty universal:

- Mini Vanilla Cupcakes

- Mini Brownies

- Teacup Sugar Cookies

- Chocolate Covered Strawberries

- Yogurt Berry Parfait

And there you have it! A yummy, kid-friendly tea party menu for spring! If you’re planning this for Easter, check out our list of Easter outfit ideas here. 

By Kristin Bruce