Make your holiday table inviting and fun for kids with these adorable ideas. Mix playful holiday items with the good stuff for a kid-friendly table.
One of my favorite things to do is set a special dinner table. I love setting a table that tells a story, makes guests feel important and honors special people in our lives. With two small(ish) children, I sometimes shy away from a fancy table setting in fear they can’t handle the delicate items it would include. But I want my children to understand the importance of setting a table. I want them to have a heart of hospitality that desires to make even our youngest guests feel treasured. This week we hosted a dinner for my kids’ grandpas before we headed out to see Christmas lights in the neighborhood. I focused on kid-friendly items and invited our children (ages 6 & 3) to participate in a grown-up holiday dinner experience. Everyone had a delightful time and believe it or not, not one delicate item got scratched, chipped or broken.
How to Set a Kid-Friendly Holiday Table
1. Mix adorably festive paper products with a little of the good stuff.
Kids are typically being pushed to their own table filled with lots of paper and plastic. For a special night, use the good dishes paired with a cute paper plate. We used my nice, white, dinner dishes as chargers because the kids were so focused on the snowman plate they didn’t even realize what was underneath. They never really touched my nice dishes but just having them there made them feel special.
2. Keep centerpiece simple, low and kid-friendly.
Gift bags make adorable decorations that are definitely kid-friendly. . .especially if they hold little gifts that can be opened later. Looks around your home for small, holiday items that can be used to create a simply cute table scape.
3. Use nice, cloth napkins instead of paper.
You can fold napkins in all sorts of fancy ways 9thank you #YahooDIY for these creative examples) or simply place them at each setting. This is a great way to teach kids table etiquette as you show them how to take their napkin and place it on their lap. This little detail is sure to make a child feel grown up at the dinner table.
4. Include fun and meaningful questions to keep the conversation going.
Especially for kids that are reading, this is a super fun way to start dinner conversation. My 6 year old loved being able to read and ask each question to our family throughout dinnertime. We had some really good conversation with the grandpas about the past year and the year ahead.
5. Don’t be afraid to use some grown-up items that will make your child feel special.
I’ll admit, when my 3 year old son grabbed that jar and wouldn’t let go, I worried we’d be cleaning up a glass-filled spill later that evening. But with a little help and our watchful eye, he did great with our mason jar glasses. It truly would not have been the end of the world if one broke and he felt so special getting to drink out of a grown-up glass!
Most importantly, set the tone for fun! Whatever you need to include (or not include) to make your meal stress-free and focused on the kids is the way to go. Our children may not remember years from now what we got them this year for Christmas, but they will remember the night mom took out her special dishes for an unforgettable family holiday dinner.
Are you planning a family holiday meal? What are some of your favorite ways to make a holiday table kid-friendly?
Thank you Yahoo! for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Yahoo!, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.
Placecards and conversation cards designed with the Rhonna Designs app.
BLOOMTOWN FAITH – our family devotion Podcast is here! Join us December 1-24 for 5 minute, audio Advent devotionals you can listen to on the go!
Looking for SIMPLE ways to enjoy the season with family traditions that won’t bring overwhelm?
- Lead your family through a Bible ADVENTure from Genesis to Jesus’ birth with this simple Advent Bible Reading Plan.
- Follow hashtag #gatherforadvent on Facebook and/or Instagram where I’ll post the daily reading and a conversation question so you can continue your journey – anytime, anywhere!
- Listen to BLOOMTOWN, our brand new Podcast with a corresponding, 5 minute audio devotion you can listen to on the go!
- Grab our adorable Advent Story Cards, created in partnership with Color + Kindness, to give your kids a meaningful, hands on experience as you countdown to Christmas.
Advent Story Cards and the Bloomtown Podcast follow our #5andthrive Family Bible Study method.
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