"Tea for two, or twelve? What better way to introduce kids to the genteel ways of dress-up, good manner and etiquette," says Julie Andrews, aka Queen Clarice Rinaldi, in The Princess Diaries.She may well be onto something, most notably, the joys of conversation over a spot of tea. Not surprisingly, this has translated into a growing popularity in old-fashioned tea parties, complete with tiny, crustless sandwiches and dainty cookies.

Tea parties are a great opportunity to introduce children to the genteel ways of dress-up, quiet conversation, and etiquette. When combined with a cookie-baking activity, it will become a fun-filled gathering!

Invitations

To really get the party brewing, send out invitations two weeks in advance. For a truly special invite, you can slip the invitation into a teacup, asking each guest to bring it along to the party. Spell out what you expect on your invitations (into which you can slip individual tea bags). Do you want young ladies to come in patent leather shoes and white gloves, gentlemen-in-training in bow ties and top hats? Or would you prefer a prince and princess theme to set the stage for your event? Be as creative as you like; little ones will accept any excuse to dig into the dress-up drawer. Consider having a basket of extra hats and boas on hand — or white gloves placed on every seat — to make sure every partygoer is dressed to the nines.

Tea Party Foods

If you plan to serve lunch, finger sandwiches are standard tea-party fare. Purchase cookie cutters in fun shapes, like diamonds or teddy bears. Rather than simply cutting off the crust, you can create a hearts and spades party by serving white bread packed with fillings kids love: egg salad, peanut butter and jelly, turkey, cream cheese, and jam. Make sure to have lemonade and apple juice on hand for those who haven’t yet developed their taste for tea. As long as you start your lunchtime festivities with a rendition of "I’m a Little Teapot," the meal will boast the right flavor.

Decorations

Before you serve some English Breakfast, remember that at proper tea parties, presentation is everything (even if the guests are preschoolers or elementary-age). Paper plates and cups are fine if sporting flowers, and cookies always taste better if served on doilies or porcelain plates. Pastel-colored streamers and balloons hung from the ceiling can help set the tone, as can floral or lace tablecloths. Classical music in the background will set a calm, elegant tone, adding an additional note to the graceful decorations.

Party Games

Tea parties are a wonderful opportunity to introduce etiquette. Devise a game with some basic party guidelines: Play a kids’ version of truth or dare with etiquette rules such as when it’s okay to use your fingers to eat, no slurping, and who takes food first. A lesson in tea drinking (even if it’s just milk from a teacup) can set kids off in a fit of giggles – especially if it’s done in a veddy proper British accent.

Other activities to try include planting flowers in kid-decorated plastic teapots or bringing out the markers, colored paper, glitter, and stickers as kids decorate their own paper fans (which do double-duty on warm days).

The main festivities should surround baking desserts – some to eat, some to take home as favors. Make sure to have plenty of cookie cutters in different shapes, as well as a wide variety of cookie decorations, from sprinkles and colored sugars to mini M&M's and other candies. Kids will be thrilled with the choices, whether they enjoy baking or arts and crafts. Serve the cookies with fruit punch spiked with ginger ale and topped with sherbet.

Sweet Finale

For a sweet ending, wrap two of the homemade cookies in tissue paper and place them in little gift bags. Drop a few jelly beans into the bag for a favor your little guests helped make and will be delighted to savor at home.