Tea Parties

Preschool children having tea party outside

Polly put the kettle on…

Tea sets for children became popular in the 1700s and 1800s. They were produced for the wealthiest of families and were mostly made of porcelain.  Although they were a part of the play experience for little girls who were imitating their mothers, they could still be quite formal events where the children dressed up and with invitations sent to guests by card.

Tea parties allowed for little girls to learn how to behave appropriately as a young lady, learn how to be a good hostess and to how make appropriate conversation. Along with tea parties for guests, children often held tea parties for their dolls and teddy bears.

Focus questions

Four children having a tea party

Girls having tea party on verandah with teacher

Lang children having a tea party

Children having a tea party

Little girls' tea party

Women having afternoon tea

Tea party in the garden

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