Tea Houses

• Tea houses and tea rooms offer an elegant setting for a child's tea party, provided that the establishment allows for private parties. La Tea Dolly (lateadolly.com) is a small tea room that specifically hosts tea parties for little girls and their dolls. There are three party package options, each including games, crafts, and a tea service. The Emerald Necklace Inn (emeraldnecklaceinn.com) allows private parties for children during both regular and extended hours, and offers a Princess Party package that includes a tiara, a full-service salon visit and afternoon tea.
  
  

Party Planners

• A professional party planner gives parents the option of choosing the location while someone else takes care of all the details. There are two Cleveland-area businesses that specialize in tea party birthdays for kids. Both provide setup and cleanup services, invitations and coordinating thank you notes, tableware, and games and activities for the kids. Tiaras and Treasures (tiarasandtreasuresparties.com) has a Tea Time party package that includes some dress-up items such as hats and pearls, while Cleveland Parties (clevelandparties.com) offers to provide the drinks and your choice of cake or cupcakes.
  
  

DIY Parties

• Planning and hosting the tea party yourself can cut down considerably on expense, and allows you to control the details. There are a number of local and nationwide businesses that carry tea party supplies. Some stores carry whole kits that include coordinating invitations, tea party themed plates and cups, decorations and party favors. Costume and dress up items are also available for purchase or rental, both in person or via mail order.
  
  

Other Tea Party Ideas

• If the tea party will be held in your home, consider whether you want to have it catered or create the menu yourself. Purchase or make finger foods such as tea sandwiches and little pastries in advance to save time on the day of the party. Age-appropriate games and crafts will keep the children entertained and help the party run more smoothly. Dressing up is an important part of a tea party, so plan on having extra items on hand for guests, like hats and costume jewelry. Tea parties are a popular birthday theme, and there is certainly no shortage of information and help for planning a child's tea party in Cleveland.