Come to a tea party: A children's tea party for 8 By Heather Howe and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

Indulge the little ones with a soupçon of elegance.

Mini Lemon Scones awith Strawberries and Cream
Photography by Edward Pond

Diminutive treats, pretty cups and saucers and an enchanting teapot cake for dessert is any little girl's dream. Celebrate a birthday with this tea-party theme or just use it as an excuse to get the children together. Don't forget to invite the teddy bears - and Grandma, too. As everyone knows, the more the merrier at a tea party.

Step-by-step photos of our Teapot Cake recipe will help you visualize and create an enchanting Teapot Cake for dessert.

Tea party decor ideas

Whether indoors or out, pretty plates, a tablecloth and napkins are a must. Set out a selection of cups and saucers and let each girl choose her favourite. Flea markets and garage sales (and sometimes Grandma) are good sources.
Keep centrepiece small so guests can easily see over and around it.
Set out a minimum of cutlery and dishes. Cups and saucers, dessert plates, dessert forks, teaspoons and butter knives are all that is really needed.

Dress

Dig deep in closets and pull out handbags, long strings of beads and old hats to accessorize outfits.

Activities

Decorate cookies for guests to take home.
Decorate white gloves (available at most discount stores) with clothing paint or puffy paint.
Make hats by decorating upside-down paper plates with bows, crêpe paper and ribbon to tie under chins.