Teaching Table Setting and Manners for Kids
Fun Hands on Activities
Building Practical Skills: Table Setting and Manners
Main Idea
Learn how to properly set the table and practice good table manners with your kids using their toy foods.
Activity Prep
(What we used)
Plates
Glass cups or any type of cups
Utensils (knives, spoons, forks)
Napkins
Food toys, including bread, salad, main courses, and desserts, allow kids to choose their favorites. (If you don't have food toys, you can draw meals on paper or make them with Play-Doh)
How We Played
We often played with food toys, so I wanted to try something new.
We decided to try a formal table setting, just like you’d find at a nice restaurant or a party. I had no clue how to set the table properly, but it turned out to be a fun learning experience for both of us! It just goes to show that it's never too early or too late to learn something new!
Salad, bread, main courses, and desserts
I played the server at the restaurant, while my son pretended to be a customer. Our food toy playtime turned into a nice restaurant, and we can use what we learned sometimes!
We should have done this activity at the dining table, not the coffee table! Although it was a fun experience. Setting a table and knowing which utensils to use first can feel a bit overwhelming with all the different styles and options out there, but once we understand how it works, we could use that knowledge for any occasion!
Resources URL
We found so much information about table settings and manners out there! Here are some resources we checked out before diving into this activity.
