Let Your Kid’s Creativity Flourish With the Best Tea Party Sets

Buying Guide: Tea Party Set

Children’s tea sets are among the most sought-after playthings because they provide hours of entertainment while fostering interpersonal development and strengthening ties with parents. If your child shows interest in a tea party set, there’s no reason not to get one. We prepared this comprehensive buying guide to help you choose the ideal tea set for your kiddo.

Factors To Consider When Buying a Tea Party Set

Material

Tea party sets are made from various materials, including plastic and tin. It’s essential to seriously consider the material that the tea set is made of before purchasing as the quality of the materials plays a significant role in the tea set’s durability. Below, we go over each material and its pros and cons.

Plastic 

Since it’s one of the most long-lasting materials available, plastic is well suited to withstand the wear and tear that kid’s rough and tough playing might cause. When shopping, remember that you should always choose a BPA-free set, especially if you plan to actually use the set with water to simulate tea. You should always check the instructions of any set for actual eating and drinking guidelines during playtime.

Porcelain and ceramic

Porcelain and ceramic tea sets are made of a material that’s not as sturdy or durable. Porcelain sets may have a more attractive appearance than those made of plastic or tin, but they’re not as long-lasting and may be more suited for exhibition than practical play, especially in the case of a younger toddler. These sets can also be more expensive than ordinary tea sets due to their material.

Wood

Wooden toys are available in almost any shape you can think of, including tea sets. They’re typically more long-lasting, but they also tend to be more expensive. Also, your child won’t be able to eat or drink out of them.

Tin

The fact that this metal is much lighter than plastic or wood yet offers the same durability makes it a much better option for younger children to grip and carry. Tin tea party sets are often priced lower than those made of wood or porcelain, but you should refrain from placing hot beverages in a tin sets.

Aesthetics 

Choosing the right tea party set for a kid is often more about aesthetics than utility. You want a tea set that will grow with your child and that they will enjoy playing with. Many tea sets come with additional accessories, such as tea bags, wooden biscuits, wooden spoons, or napkins, increasing your child’s enjoyment.

Themes  

Tea sets come in all different styles and themes, making them a great gift for little kiddos. You can find traditional tea sets in floral themes or tea sets in other themes, like sports, animals, or mythical creatures. Whatever theme you choose, make sure you consider what you child loves and pick one accordingly.

Age 

If you plan on giving a tea set to a child under the age of three, choose a set that can withstand being dropped on the floor without incurring any damage. Sets made out of porcelain or other delicate materials should be reserved for slightly older kids. Regardless of your child’s age, make sure you choose an age-appropriate tea set to keep them safe.

Durability 

If your child is particularly hard on their toys or if you plan on giving the tea set to a young child, be sure to choose a set made out of durable materials. We recommend a tea party set made out of plastic, wood or tin. While porcelain sets might look nice, they will easily break if dropped.

Function 

Do you wish for your child to be able to actually eat or drink from the tea set, or do you intend for it to be used solely for imaginative play? If you’d like the set to be functional, you’ll want to make sure you choose a tea party set that’s made of food-grade material and is large enough to be used with actual food and drink. Depending on if your child wants to have a real tea party with their friends or just host a pretend tea party with their toys, choose a tea party set that matches your child’s desired function.

Number of pieces

While some sets consist of only a tea service for two, others can have as many as 50 pieces. If your child takes their tea party games seriously, you’ll want to get them a set with more pieces. Some parents also want to educate their kids on how to properly set the table using the tea set. If this is the case, you’ll need more pieces.

Preference 

Tea party sets come in a virtually infinite variety of designs. You may find everything from unicorns and butterflies to cats and farm animals. You can choose a tea set designed around a certain character that’s your children’s favorite. Choosing a minimalist style that resembles an actual teacup set may be the ideal option for older children as they’ll feel more mature and develop a feeling of responsibility. Plus, it will also help them communicate and interact with others more effectively. Your child’s individual preference will determine the overall design.

Reviews

A product’s quality and usefulness can be judged based on the customer reviews because actual product users write them. You should only select a tea party set that has generally received very positive reviews from customers. We recommend staying away from those with a lot of negative feedback.

Manufacturers

You’ll also want to consider the manufacturer to ensure you don’t accidentally choose a subpar product. You should give more weight to manufacturers with good customer service and a warranty, return, or replacement policy.

What Are the Benefits of Playing Tea Party With Your Child?

Special memories 

Since tea parties don’t occur frequently, you can make it a special afternoon by dressing the table with cloth napkins, real or artificial flowers, a candle, and some relaxing music. Building connections and memories is important for creating a special bond with your child.

Help imitate good manners 

Invite your child to join your tea party and practice good manners. You can politely ask them to pass the sugar or cookies and ask them if they’d like any tea. You can also use exaggerated manners, such as sticking out your pinky as you sip, to make the whole experience more fun.

Develop social skills

Tea party sets encourage your child to develop positive social skills at the table. They learn how to politely ask for another biscuit, a sugar cube, or a refill on their beverage. Once they get the hang of it, you’ll probably see them offer things like this in various circumstances, particularly when they host a tea party for a friend. It takes a long time for the skill of being able to perceive things from another person’s perspective to become fully developed. Playing tea party at a young age can help develop these skills early on.

How To Maintain Kids Tea Party Sets

The first step in ensuring that your child’s tea set lasts a long time is to buy one that’s made of sturdy materials. Plus, you’ll need to take proper care of it after purchase. If your child uses the set with actual liquid, you should wash the cups and teapot after every use. Read the manufacturer’s instruction manual for specific cleaning directions. If the tea set is dishwasher-safe, you can easily wash it in the dishwasher. Otherwise, hand wash the set and air dry it. Some manufacturers suggest that you just wipe off any residue with a moist towel and let the tea set air dry. These sets are typically made of tin, which corrodes easily if not properly cared for. 

Show your child how to put everything away neatly in the case after they’re done playing with it. This will teach your child responsibility while also preventing any pieces from getting lost. If you do this with your child repeatedly, they will soon associate the act of cleaning up with the end of the play. The benefit of purchasing a tea party set with a carrying case is that it makes your set portable and easy to keep everything in one place.