I love a good themed party (shocking, I know), but I didn’t want to overdo it for a second birthday. Two-year-olds don’t need much—just snacks, something to color, and maybe a little sparkle. So I kept things intentionally simple and age-appropriate.

The birthday girl wore the sweetest tea cup dress from Lassie Girl via Etsy, which basically set the tone for the whole day.

Planning the Activities

While planning, I searched the internet for tea party activities that would work for both boys and girls under the age of six, and surprisingly, there wasn’t one great place to pull ideas from. So I figured I’d share what worked for us in case you’re planning your own pa-tea.

Decorate a Cup

This one was easy and mess-friendly (a win). I picked up plastic cups from a local craft store and set out crayons, colored pencils, and markers. To keep cleanup simple, I covered the table with a roll of pink paper.

You could also add tea cup or teapot coloring pages to the table if you want to stretch the activity time a bit longer.

Make a Hat (or a Tie)

Tea parties need hats—non-negotiable. I knew the hats would be a hit with the little ladies, but I also wanted something the boys would enjoy. So I cut out foam ties for them to decorate.

Pro tip: the hats and most of the foam decorating supplies came straight from the Dollar Store. Cute doesn’t have to be complicated (or expensive).

Candy Necklace Station

Because nothing says “fancy” like edible accessories. The candy necklace station was another crowd favorite. I grabbed gummy Lifesavers and peach and raspberry rings from the Dollar Store, and my mom found some hard-candy necklace kits to mix things up.

I pre-cut plastic string so the kids could easily assemble their own necklaces without needing much help.

Pin the Cup on the Saucer

A tea party twist on pin the tail on the donkey. My sister-in-law hand-lettered each child’s name onto cups, and I put the game together using poster board. Simple, sweet, and just competitive enough to keep them interested.

The Food (and the Grown-Up Bonus)

Our venue supplied a waffle bar, which was a hit with both kids and adults. And for the over-21 crowd, we added a Tipsy Tea station with alcoholic tea and wine—because if you’re hosting a kids’ party, you might as well treat the adults too. 

For those in the Pittsburgh area, we hosted the party at Carnegie Coffee Company, and the space was perfect. Highly recommend working with Ashley and Sue if you’re looking for a cozy, cool venue for an event.

All in all, it was a sweet little celebration—proof that a thoughtful theme and a few simple activities go a long way, even (or especially) when you’re turning two. 🫖🥂