Are you tired of searching for the perfect toy that’s both fun and educational for your child? You’re not alone. Many parents struggle to find toys that are safe, durable, and promote imaginative play. Fortunately, wooden tea sets for kids offer a timeless solution that encourages creativity and social skills.
As an expert in children’s toys and educational products, I have curated a list that showcases the best wooden tea sets available in the market today. Dive in and discover the ideal set for your little one!
Lawcephun Wooden Tea Party Set-Editor’s Choice
Dive into a world of imagination and creativity with the Lawcephun Wooden Tea Party Set! Crafted with care and designed for little hands, this set promises hours of fun while also nurturing essential life skills.
Pros
- This tea party set is made of natural high-quality wood coated with top quality water-based paint, making it safer, more environmentally friendly, and more durable than plastic tea sets for little girls.
- The set comes with a beautifully-designed wooden carrying case, making it easy to store and carry. Children will develop a good habit of tidying up after playing.
- This tea set is specially designed for little girls and boys aged 2-6 who love to role-play. It can improve children’s life skills, social skills, hands-on coordination, independence, and self-confidence.
Cons
- The set may not be as big as some other tea sets on the market.
- Some parents may find the price to be a bit high compared to other tea sets.
- The set may not be suitable for children under 2 years old.
We recently purchased this tea set for our daughter’s birthday, and we were very impressed with the quality of the individual items as well as the box they are stored in. The set has lovely patterns and a chocolate pink color combination, which is specially designed for little girls and boys who love to role-play. Our daughter loves to play tea party with her friends, and this set has been a great addition to her toy collection.
The Lawcephun Wooden Tea Party Set is an ideal gift for girls and boys on birthday parties, Children’s Day, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Years, and any other special occasion. It’s a great way to encourage children to learn through play and develop important life skills. Overall, we highly recommend this tea set to anyone looking for a high-quality, durable, and fun toy for their little ones.
- Safety 5/5
- The Lawcephun Wooden Tea Party Set is constructed from high-quality natural wood and is coated with water-based paint, ensuring the colors remain vibrant. This makes the toy safer and more environmentally friendly than plastic alternatives.
- Educational Value 5/5
- This tea set not only provides an avenue for imaginative play but also promotes key developmental skills. Children can enhance their life skills, social abilities, hand-eye coordination, and even boost their self-confidence and independence.
- Design 4.5/5
- The tea set comes with a beautifully designed wooden carrying case, making storage and portability a breeze. The set features lovely patterns and a pink-chocolate color combination, specifically designed for children aged 2 to 6 who enjoy role-playing.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Steep & Serve Tea Set-Runner Up
The design of the Melissa & Doug Wooden Tea Set is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The brightly colored tea labels and the practical tea organizer add to the visual appeal.
Pros
- This tea set is made of all-wood and is incredibly durable.
- The tea caddy includes descriptions of different varieties of teas, and brightly colored tags help children identify the different teas.
- It encourages imaginative play and promotes memory development and color recognition.
Cons
- The tea bags are not properly secured, so you may need to fix them frequently.
- Some customers may find it a bit expensive.
- It does not come with a plate or something to put it all on.
The Melissa & Doug Wooden Steep & Serve Tea Set is an exceptional gift for kids from 3 to 7 years. This tea party playset is an awesome way for kids to develop strong creative thinking and imaginative playing skills. It is an excellent screen-free fun option for kids.
The set includes a teapot with a lid, 2 cups, 2 spoons, a sugar bowl, a milk pitcher, 6 assorted teas in a tea caddy, 2 cookies, and a dry-erase card. The tea caddy includes descriptions of different varieties of teas, and brightly colored tags help children identify the different teas.
Melissa & Doug has been creating beautifully designed imagination- and creativity-sparking products for more than 30 years. They design every toy to the highest quality standards, and to nurture minds and hearts. If your child is not inspired, they have a phone number on every product, and they’ll make it right.
- Safety 5/5
- The Melissa & Doug Wooden Tea Set is made of high-quality wood, ensuring durability and safety for children. The brand Melissa & Doug is renowned for its commitment to quality and safety, making it a trusted choice for parents.
- Educational Value 4.5/5
- This tea set not only offers a delightful playtime experience but also has an educational component. It introduces children to different varieties of tea, promoting memory and color recognition. The set encourages imaginative play, helping children develop strong creative thinking skills.
- Design 5/5
- The design of the Melissa & Doug Wooden Tea Set is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The brightly colored tea labels and the practical tea organizer add to the visual appeal.
Atoylink Wooden Tea Party Set-Best Budget
Unleash your child’s imagination with the Atoylink Wooden Tea Set! Not only is it safe and educational, but its charming design also promises hours of imaginative play.
Pros
- The 28-piece set includes a huge cupcake stand, tea tray, teapot, cups, coasters, milk jug, stirring spoons, lemon slices, tea bag, and 15 different desserts. Children will have endless fun using their imagination and pretending to host tea parties with their friends.
- The realistic wooden tea set is made of 100% non-toxic wood with water-based paint, making it safe for children to play with. The edges of the tea set and cupcake stand accessories are smooth and won’t hurt the baby’s skin.
- The Atoylink Wooden Tea Party Set is not only fun, but it’s also educational. Role-playing with friends can help children develop social skills through verbal and physical communication while helping to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, creativity, and imagination.
Cons
- Some customers have reported that the set is smaller than it looks in the pictures.
- The packaging box may be too big for some parents to store.
- Some customers have reported issues with the packaging being damaged during shipping.
In conclusion, the Atoylink Wooden Tea Party Set is an ideal gift for toddler girls or boys! This is a great toy for children aged 2 to 6 years old and can also be used as household decorations when not playing. The set is perfect for back-to-school, birthdays, Christmas, Easter, and New Year gifts. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, and we will solve them for you the first time.
- Safety 5/5
- The Atoylink Wooden Tea Set is made of 100% non-toxic wood with water-based paint. The edges of the tea set and the cupcake stand accessories are smooth, ensuring that it won’t harm a child’s skin.
- Educational Value 5/5
- This tea set not only offers fun but also has a strong educational component. Role-playing with friends can enhance a child’s social skills, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, creativity, and imagination.
- Design 4/5
- The soft Morandi tones are aesthetically pleasing and help immerse children in play. The variety of items in the set, from the teapot to the diverse desserts, allows for a comprehensive pretend tea party experience. However, some users might find the tea cups a bit smaller than expected.
GAGAKU Wooden Tea Set for Little Girls
Dive into an enchanting afternoon tea party with the GAGAKU Wooden Tea Set. Crafted with love and attention to detail, this set not only ensures safety but also sparks creativity and imagination in every child.
Pros
- The tea set is made of durable wood materials that are non-toxic and safe for children.
- It comes with 15 pieces, including a teapot, cups, coasters, stirring spoons, and play food items like a lemon slice, tea bag, cupcake, and cookie.
- The set is designed to promote social skills, emotional skills, and motor skills, while enhancing imagination and creativity.
Cons
- Some of the pieces are small and could be a choking hazard for young children.
- The tray is thin and not sanded on the edges, which could be a safety concern.
- The set is smaller than expected, so it may not be as much fun for children who want to have a larger tea party.
We recently purchased this tea set for our daughter, and she loves it. The set is well-made and sturdy, and the play food items are adorable. We appreciate that the materials are non-toxic and safe for our child to play with.
However, we did notice that some of the pieces are small and could be a choking hazard for young children. Additionally, the tray is thin and not sanded on the edges, which could be a safety concern. Finally, the set is smaller than expected, so it may not be as much fun for children who want to have a larger tea party.
Overall, we would recommend the GAGAKU Wooden Tea Set for Little Girls as a fun and safe toy for children who enjoy playing tea party.
- Safety 5/5
- The GAGAKU Wooden Tea Set is crafted from durable wood materials and non-toxic children’s paint. It fully complies with ASTM and EN71 toy safety standards, ensuring a safe play environment for children aged 3-8 years old.
- Educational Value 4/5
- This tea set is not just a toy but a tool for imaginative development. It promotes social skills, emotional skills, and motor skills. The set encourages children to engage in role-play, simulating an adult tea scene, which can enhance their imagination and creativity in conversation.
- Design 5/5
- The aesthetic design of the tea set is commendable. It combines popular colors and natural elements with Morandi soft colors, making it not only a plaything but also a beautiful decoration.
PRE-WORLD Wooden Tea Set
tep into a world of imagination with the PRE-WORLD Wooden Tea Set. With its vibrant colors and realistic design, this set promises endless hours of fun and learning.
Pros
- The set includes 34 pieces, providing hours of fun and imaginative playtime for your toddler.
- Made with high-quality, durable wood and colored with non-toxic water-based dyes, this tea set is safe and long-lasting.
- The set is designed to simulate a real tea party scene, helping children develop color perception, hand-eye coordination skills, and socialization and communication skills.
Cons
- The cups are quite small, which may be frustrating for some children.
- The lemon slices and tea bags don’t sit very securely on the cups.
- The set is more of a collector’s item than a toy for young children, as the pieces are quite small.
In our experience, the PRE-WORLD Wooden Tea Set is a great gift for children aged 3-5, and is perfect for birthday parties, festivals, and holidays. The set comes with a carrying case, making it easy to take on-the-go, and the tablecloth adds a realistic touch to the tea party scene.
Overall, we highly recommend the PRE-WORLD Wooden Tea Set for parents looking for a safe, durable, and engaging toy for their little ones.
- Safety 5/5
- The PRE-WORLD Wooden Tea Set is made of high-quality wood with a smooth surface, ensuring durability. It is colored with eco-friendly water-based dyes that are bright, non-toxic, and tasteless.
- Educational Value 4.5/5
- This tea set is designed for children’s learning fun, simulating a real tea party scene. It helps children develop color perception and discover new knowledge during play, enhancing hand-eye coordination skills.
- Design 5/5
- The tea set is designed with rich colors and natural elements, making the entire set look unique. It comes with a tablecloth, simulating a real afternoon tea party time, allowing children to enjoy role-playing.
Buyger Wooden Tea Party Set
Dive into a world of imaginative play with the BUYGER Wooden Tea Party Set! Crafted with love and designed for little hands, this set not only promises hours of fun but also aids in developing essential life skills.
Pros
- Made of wooden material, more durable and safe than plastic.
- Realistic play food with bright colors and suitable size.
- Ideal gifts for kids/girls/boys/toddler age 3 4 5.
Cons
- Small size.
- Some small parts that may pose a choking hazard for younger kids.
- Paint may chip off with continued use.
We love that this tea set is made of wood, which makes it more durable and safe than plastic sets. The realistic play food and bright colors make it a fun and engaging toy for kids. It’s also a great way for children to learn how to use a tea set and practice hand-eye coordination and communication skills.
However, the tea set is quite small, which may be disappointing for some kids. Additionally, there are small parts that may pose a choking hazard for younger children, so it’s important to use it under the direct supervision of an adult. With continued use, the paint may also chip off.
Overall, we think the Buyger Wooden Tea Party Set is a great choice for kids who love to have tea parties and engage in imaginative play.
- Safety 4/5
- The tea set is made of wood, which is more durable and safer than plastic. This ensures that the toy is sturdy and less likely to break, reducing the risk of small parts that could be a choking hazard.
- Educational Value 4/5
- This tea set offers a realistic play experience, allowing children to engage in role-playing games. It helps them practice hand-eye coordination, communication skills, and social interactions as they play with family or friends.
- Design 4.5/5
- The tea set features a fashionable theme with realistic play food. It has bright colors and an appropriate size that would appeal to little girls. The storage tray can hold all the play kitchen accessories, making it easy to keep everything organized.
Atoylink Wooden Tea Party Set
Dive into an enchanting world of tea parties with the Atoylink Wooden Tea Party Set. Not just a toy, but a gateway to imagination, creativity, and endless fun.
Pros
- The set includes a wide variety of pieces, making it perfect for imaginative play.
- The wooden construction is high-quality and durable.
- The set is both fun and educational, helping children develop important skills.
Cons
- Some parents may find the set to be a bit expensive.
- The set may not be suitable for younger children due to small parts.
- The set may require adult supervision during play.
Our experience with the Atoylink Wooden Tea Party Set was fantastic. The set includes a wide variety of pieces, including a cupcake stand, tea tray, teapot, tea cups, seasoning bottles, wooden vases, ice cream toys, and various desserts. The set also includes tea bags, coffee, and lemon slices, allowing children to choose whatever they want for their tea party.
The wooden construction of the set is high-quality and durable, ensuring that it will last for years to come. The edges of the tea set and cupcake stand accessories are smooth and won’t hurt the baby’s skin. The soft Morandi shades colors help children immerse themselves in play, improving social skills through verbal and physical communication while helping to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, creativity, and imagination.
The Atoylink Wooden Tea Party Set is both fun and educational, making it the perfect toy for young children. Role play with friends helps improve social skills through verbal and physical communication while helping to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, creativity, and imagination. The set comes in a large enough packaging box that can help children develop a good habit of packing things up after playing.
- Safety 5/5
- The Atoylink Wooden Tea Party Set is crafted with utmost care, ensuring the safety of children. Made of 100% non-toxic wood with water-based paint, this toy is child-safe. The edges of the tea set and cupcake stand accessories are meticulously smoothed to prevent any harm to a child’s delicate skin.
- Educational Value 5/5
- Beyond just play, this tea set offers a rich educational experience. The soft Morandi shades colors are designed to immerse children in play, fostering their creativity and imagination. Role-playing with friends enhances their social skills, verbal and physical communication, and also aids in the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Design 4/5
- The design of the Atoylink Wooden Tea Party Set is both luxurious and functional. It includes a vast array of items such as a cupcake stand, tea tray, teapot, tea cups, seasoning bottles, wooden vases with paper flowers, and a variety of desserts like ice cream, candy, macarons, and cookies.
Teamson Kids Little Chef Frankfurt Wooden Tea Party Set
Dive into the world of classic tea parties with the Teamson Kids Little Chef Frankfurt tea set. Crafted with love and designed for little hands, this set is more than just a toy—it’s an experience.
Pros
- The natural wood finishes make it perfect for both boys and girls.
- The interactive design with tea bags and sugar cubes allows for realistic role-playing.
- The set is durable and easy to clean, ensuring long-lasting use.
Cons
- The set is on the smaller side, so it may not be suitable for older kids.
- Some parents may find the price to be a bit steep for a tea set.
- The set only includes settings for two, so it may not be ideal for larger tea parties.
We recently purchased this tea set for our little one, and we were impressed with the quality and attention to detail. The set includes everything your child needs to host a tea party, from the tea pot and cups to the sugar cubes and desserts. The natural wood finishes give the set a classic look that complements any play kitchen.
Our little one loved the interactive design of the set, which allows for realistic role-playing. They enjoyed placing the tea bags and sugar cubes in the tea pot and cups and serving up delicious desserts to their guests. The set is also durable and easy to clean, making it perfect for everyday use.
While the set is on the smaller side, we found that it was the perfect size for our toddler. However, older kids may find the set to be too small for their liking. Additionally, some parents may find the price to be a bit steep for a tea set.
- Safety 5/5
- The Teamson Kids Little Chef Frankfurt tea set is constructed from durable wood, ensuring it’s safe for children. The materials used are non-toxic, and the design is child-friendly, making it a safe choice for play.
- Educational Value 4/5
- This tea set promotes imaginative play, allowing children to role-play hosting tea parties. While it doesn’t have a direct educational component like puzzles or learning toys, it does help in developing social skills, understanding sequences (like preparing tea), and enhancing hand-eye coordination.
- Design 4.5/5
- The design is interactive and includes various components like tea bags, sugar cubes, and a serving tray. The wooden finish gives it a classic look, making it appealing to both kids and adults. It’s not just a toy but can also serve as a decorative piece in a child’s playroom.
iQwistar Wooden Tea Set
Dive into an enchanting tea party experience with this beautifully crafted wooden set. Not only is it a feast for the eyes with its delightful design, but it also promises hours of imaginative play, fostering creativity and enhancing essential skills.
Pros
- The tea set is made of safe and durable materials, ensuring that children can play with it for a long time.
- The set comes with 12 pieces, including a tea pot, teacups, spoons, tray, coasters, and a milk jug, allowing children to have a complete and realistic tea party experience.
- The tea set is an educational toy that can help children learn fundamental skills such as shape recognition, sorting, and sequencing.
Cons
- The set is relatively small, which may not be suitable for older children.
- Some customers reported that the paint chipped after a few weeks of use.
- The set is not gift-presentable as it comes in a simple brown box.
Our kids had a delightful time playing with the iQwistar Wooden Tea Set. The set is beautifully decorated and operates realistically, making the pretend play experience more immersive. The tea set is perfect for exercising young children’s hand-eye coordination, improving their social skills with friends, and developing their imagination.
The set is made of schima superba and MDF, which are smoother and safer than other materials. The toy paint and finishes are non-toxic and eco-friendly, making it suitable for children ages three and up. We appreciate the high quality of the wood and the pleasing appearance of the tea set, making it a perfect gift for kids and children who love pretend play games.
- Safety 5/5
- This tea party set is crafted from schima superba and MDF, ensuring a smooth and safe touch. Parents can be at ease knowing that it won’t harm their child’s hands. The toy’s paint and finishes are non-toxic and eco-friendly, making it suitable for children aged 3 and up.
- Educational Value 4.5/5
- This tea set not only offers a delightful playtime but also has a significant educational component. It encourages children to think creatively, drawing inspiration from real-life situations. The set aids in teaching fundamental skills like shape recognition, sorting, and sequencing.
- Design 4.5/5
- The beautifully decorated tea party set offers an immersive experience. The pink and white floral-themed motif, combined with the practical design of the tea cups, teapot, and other accessories, makes it visually appealing and easy for little hands to handle.
CRAZY LOOP Wooden Tea Set Toy
Host the perfect pretend tea party with the 13 Pc Wooden Tea Set Toy! Not only is it safe and durable, but it also offers a delightful educational experience. Let your child’s imagination soar as they serve tea decorated with brightly colored shapes, all while building essential skills.
Pros
- Realistic tea set with detachable tea pot, cups, play spoons, cupcakes, biscuits, and carrying trays.
- Appliances really operate for an immersive experience.
- Non-toxic and ABS free, the appliances and the pretend play food have passed rigorous safety standards.
Cons
- The paint comes off a little easy.
- The lid to the teapot may crack and splinter.
- The pieces are smaller than expected.
The CRAZY LOOP Wooden Tea Set Toy is perfect for children who love to host pretend tea parties. The appliances really operate, providing an immersive experience that will keep children entertained for hours. Plus, the set is non-toxic and ABS free, so you can rest assured that it has passed rigorous safety standards.
The set includes a detachable tea pot, cups, play spoons, cupcakes, biscuits, and carrying trays. The tea set is realistic and will encourage your child’s imagination, communication skills, and social skills. It’s perfect for children aged 3 years and up.
While the set is great for pretend play, the paint may come off a little too easily. Additionally, the lid to the teapot may crack and splinter, which can be dangerous for children. Finally, the pieces are smaller than expected, so you may want to keep an eye on younger children to make sure they don’t swallow any of the pieces.
- Safety 5/5
- This wooden tea set is constructed with premium materials that have passed rigorous safety standards. It is non-toxic and ABS-free, ensuring that it’s safe for children to play with. The durability of the set ensures that it will hold up to regular play and last for a long time.
- Educational Value 4/5
- The tea set is designed to encourage pretend play and communication skills. It also promotes skill-building with its serving shapes that help kids learn fundamental skills such as shape recognition, sorting, and sequencing.
- Design 4.5/5
- The tea set is realistically designed with a detachable tea pot, cups, play spoons, cupcakes, biscuits, and carrying trays. The bright colors and shapes add to its appeal, making it an attractive toy for children.
Buying Guide For Wooden Toy tea set
When it comes to buying the best wooden tea set, there are a few things you should consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind to help you make an informed decision.
Material
The first thing to consider is the material of the tea set. Wooden tea sets are a popular choice because they are durable, long-lasting, and eco-friendly. However, not all wooden tea sets are created equal. Make sure to choose a tea set made from high-quality wood that is free from harmful chemicals and painted with non toxic paints.
Size
The size of the tea set is also an important consideration. It needs to be just the just the right size for kids ages so they can grasp the cups in the play set.
Design
The design of the tea set is also important. Look for a tea set that matches your personal style and preferences. Some tea sets come in traditional designs, while others feature more modern and contemporary styles.
Remember, wooden tea sets are more about pretend play, they really help a child develop their social and emotional skills. When they have a little tea party and invite their friends (or dolls) over to enjoy afternoon tea, the play does not just promote motor skills but also it really helps peer play and vocabulary skills. Some will come in a beautiful gift box making them a perfect gift for girls and boys combined.
Accessories
Finally, consider the wooden toys accessories that come with the tea set. Some sets may come with additional items such as tea cups, saucers, sugar pot and tea spoons. These accessories can be useful and add to the overall value of the tea set.
Why Wooden Tea Sets Make Great Role Play Toys
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand.” Albert Einstein
Most adults will remember playing with a tea set as a child. Whether it was a toy one, or a real one borrowed from the cupboard. You might have sat around a table with your toys pouring pretend cups of tea and drinking them with your pinky raised just like grandma, or you may have been more likely to be discovered mixing potions in the garden.
Likewise most children today will have played with a tea set at some point, and even if they don’t have one at home they are likely to have access to one at a friends house, toddler group, nursery or preschool.
So what is it about tea sets that makes them such a great role play toy?
What are role-play toys?
Role play toys are toys that get children to pretend to be someone else or pretend to be in a specific situation. Typical examples include toy kitchens, play food and tea sets, doctors sets, and tool kits.
The benefits of role play
The benefits of role-playing are wide-ranging.
- Pretend play encourages children to use their imagination and creativity which allows them to naturally develop their cognitive abilities. Role-playing allows children to develop the abilities to make decisions for themselves as well as developing their ability to use their imaginations.
- Role play is also a great way of encouraging social and emotional development. When children pretend to be someone else they put themselves in their shoes and develop empathy for how others may be feeling.
- Role playing helps children develop their language and communication skills. Play is the best way for children to practice new words and phrases they have heard and they mimic language they hear around them.
- Kids develop problem-solving skills when they role-play. Playing at being a chef, a doctor, a dinner lady, a shopkeeper, a fireman or anything else they fancy will inevitably require some creative thinking and problem-solving. They have to decide who they are going to be, what the rules are, and how they deal with obstacles as they arise. Using a banana as a telephone to take orders. That’s problem-solving in action.
Why tea sets are great for role play
Tea sets make great role play toys as they can be played with in lots of different ways.
Children can bring you endless cups of tea or coffee, they can throw a tea party for their toys or they can pretend they work in a cafe. Each of these scenarios will require them to take on a slightly different role, get them using different language, and mean they have to set up for the game and problem solve in different ways.
Tea sets are also great as they get children to practise both fine and gross motor skills so they are good for physical as well as mental development. It can be quite difficult for little ones to balance a cup on a tray, even if the tea inside it is not real.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our No. 1 Recommended Product
Lawcephun Wooden Tea Party Set
This set scored high in all categories and offers a combination of safety, educational value, and beautiful design. Its unique features, such as the magnetic components and the carrying case, make it stand out.
What materials are the best for tea sets?
There are various materials used for tea sets, including ceramic, glass, metal, and wood. Each material has its unique advantages and disadvantages. However, wooden tea sets are considered the best as they are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and durable.
At what age is it appropriate to introduce a child to a tea set?
It is recommended to introduce a child to a tea set when they are around three years old. At this age, they have developed fine motor skills and can hold the cup and pour without spilling. However, adult supervision is still necessary.
Can you safely drink from tin tea sets?
Tin tea sets are not recommended for drinking as they can leach harmful chemicals into the tea. It is best to use them for decoration or pretend play.
Is the Pairpear tea set non-toxic?
Yes, the Pairpear tea set is non-toxic and made from natural materials. It is safe for children to play with and drink from.
What are some popular wooden tea set brands?
Some popular wooden tea set brands include Hape, PlanToys, and Melissa & Doug. These brands are known for their quality and safety standards.
Are wooden tea sets durable enough for daily use?
Yes, wooden tea sets are durable enough for daily use. They are made from sturdy materials and can withstand wear and tear. However, proper care and maintenance are necessary to ensure their longevity.
Should every child have a toy tea set?
A little tea set is a classic toy. Most of us will remember playing with one as a child, even if we didn’t have one ourselves, and they are still a wonderful role play toy today.
Your little one will delight in making you endless cups of tea, bringing you a never-ending supply of biscuits (don’t worry they’re all calorie-free) and creating fabulous tea parties for their toys.
Picnic baskets are another popular option, and go great alongside a tea set. A teddy bears picnic is great even if your little one can’t have friends round for tea just yet.
Playing with a tea set incorporates lots of valuable skills including dexterity and fine motor skills, language and communication skills, social and emotional development, and of course the ability to get creative and use their imaginations.
A tea set is also a very versatile toy. It can be played with on its own or added to other toys for more complex role-play games. The teapot and cups might be the perfect addition to a toy toaster and pot of jam for a delicious breakfast, add a baking set and they can be making a special cake for when granny comes to tea, or combine with a cake stand and till for a wonderful cafe in your living room.
Playing in this way is vital for young children. It’s how they develop. And open-ended toys such as a tea set are the perfect invitation to play. They inspire creativity and spark the imagination without dictating how they should be played with.
That being said there’s no need to go out and buy an expensive tea set if you’re not sure your little one will actually like it. All children are different and some would far rather be selling ice creams or bbq food than tea and cake.
And, even if you do think they would love playing tea parties, you may find you already have everything you need.
Don’t want to buy a tea set? Check your cupboards or the local charity shops
Of course, you might get lucky and find a toy tea set but you will almost definitely find a couple of cheap cups and saucers and a probably even a teapot. And let be honest most of us have one in the back of the cupboard that never gets used.
Playing with real things is often even more fun than playing with toys and setting up a real tea set for them is a great way to see if it’s a toy they’ll enjoy. Plus with a real tea set, you can make real potions which are also lots of fun.
