Afternoon tea for kids
Kids can make easy scones, sandwiches and cakes with our family-friendly afternoon tea ideas. It’s the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion at home
Finding new and exciting activities for kids while they’re home from school can be a challenge, so we’ve gone back to the classics with a traditional afternoon tea. Children will love making these sweet and savoury treats almost as much as they’ll enjoy eating them.
For more recipes to get kids inspired in the kitchen, check out our kids’ cooking recipes, kids’ biscuit recipes and kids’ brownie recipes. We also have a helpful series called Kids’ Kitchen featuring videos and recipes to guide you and your children through six essential cookery skills to create a variety of delicious dishes from scratch.
Try these simple kids’ sandwiches, scones, cakes and drinks ideas to turn your afternoon tea into a special family occasion. Short on flour? Check out our kids’ baking recipes without flour for some fun alternatives. If you want to head out for tea, check out our review of the best kids afternoon teas in London.
Kids’ sandwiches
These bright and cheerful loaded open sandwiches are piled high with kid-friendly flavours such as ham, cucumber and cream cheese. Our egg & cress club sandwich is another family favourite or for a sophisticated twist you can make lemony crab & cucumber clubs. Our vegetarian twist on the classic BLT, the veggie BLT, is bursting with flavour from tomatoes and pesto.
Our sandwich fillings for kids guide has even more inspiration, or browse our traditional afternoon tea sandwiches to find your favourites.
Easy scones
Afternoon tea wouldn’t be complete without an argument over whether jam or cream goes first. Whether you like fruity sweet or savoury (or both), we have lots of delicious scone recipes. For kids, we recommend our easy fluffy scones as a straightforward method to follow.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, why not step it up a notch and try one of our delicious sweet recipes like our bakewell tart scones? Or layer seedy scones with smoked salmon for a rich and indulgent savoury topping. If you’re hoping to serve someone with gluten intolerance, fear not, we also have a simple-to-follow gluten-free scones recipe.
You can also watch our video on how to make scones if you’re looking to make the perfect batch.
Jams
Make your afternoon tea extra special by whipping up a batch of homemade jam to top your scones and teacakes. Keep it traditional with our sweet and seasonal blackcurrant, apple or strawberry jam. Or, try something new like our gooseberry and elderflower jam, which uses fresh gooseberries and elderflower cordial.
Homemade preserves always beat shop bought, so check out more of our fantastic jam recipes.
Kids’ cakes
Whip up a classic Victoria sponge or make some petite butterfly cakes – afternoon tea is a great excuse to get the kids in the kitchen. This vibrant raspberry & pistachio tea cake will look particularly fetching on the table, or go for a traditional lemon drizzle cake. In the mood for a party? Make these bunting biscuits for a touch of fun, or a batch of easy iced buns for younger children.
Discover more ideas with our kids’ baking recipe collection.
Drinks
Serve a batch of refreshing peach iced tea for the kids while the grown-ups enjoy a cuppa. Mint & mango iced tea is another winning combination or for a sense of occasion try our delicious mocktails for kids. Milkshakes are another great choice. Try our strawberry milk inspired by kids TV show Charlie and Lola. You can decorate the glasses with umbrellas, little flags or slices of fruit – whatever your occasion calls for.
For more fun and creative mocktails, drinks and smoothies, check out our kids’ party drinks.
Biscuits
Adorn your afternoon tea table with beautiful dainty biscuits. Our peppermint candy biscuits or deck-of-card dodgers are simple and sweet. Place them about the table to add edible charm. Or why not try our peanut butter cookies? They contain only three ingredients, standard in most cupboards, so they’re not only hassle-free but also gluten-free. Or make classic bourbon biscuits more exciting using pink food colouring. Kids will love helping pipe the icing between the biscuits.
What are your must-haves for afternoon tea? Leave a comment below...
Discover more fun ideas for the family:
Indoor activities for kids
Top 15 easy bakes for kids
The best fairy cake recipes
5 easy garden crafts for kids
Fruit & veg for kids to grow
Top 15 after-school snacks for kids
Or find more afternoon tea inspiration:
How to throw an afternoon tea party
Budget afternoon tea ideas
10 scone recipes you’ll fall in love with
Our best teacake recipes
Comments, questions and tips
