How to Set An Interactive Kids Table

It's universal--kids want to grow up and sit at the adult table. Conning them into wanting to sit at the "kids table" is easier than you think. The magic formula is one part boring grown up conversation at your table and two parts interaction at theirs. Here's some inspiration. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Take inventory of the crafts and supplies you have on hand, then consider which of these themes will appeal to your younger guests:
Map theme
Racing theme
Airplane theme
Fishing theme

2

Map Theme
Cover the table with paper maps. State, country or world maps will all work perfectly. Use various styles of globes as the centerpieces. Print out three age appropriate things for each guest to do and leave it at their place settings. For example: ask the guest seated near France on the world map to circle the city where the Eiffel Tower stands.

3

Racing Theme
Cover the table with butcher paper. Fill buckets with crayons, markers, stickers and toy cars (they don't have to be new) and leave a "to-do" list at the table for them to complete before the end of the party.
1. Create a "Welcome Race Fans" banner down the center of the table.
2. Think up a pretend race car driver name and write it at your place.
3. Pick a car and cover it with stickers.
4. After dessert, clear the table, draw a track and take your cars for a spin around it.

4

Airplane Theme
Cover the table with light blue paper or a light blue paper tablecloth. Leave square pieces of paper, crayons, markers and instructions on how to make paper airplanes in the center of the table. Ask the kids to draw clouds and other things you would find in the sky (e.g. birds and the sun) on the blue paper. Then invite them to make paper airplanes and fly them after dinner.

5

Fishing Theme
Cover the table with brown kraft paper. Leave ingredients in the center of the table for guests to customize their party favors. Think fishing hat (floppy hats, patches, fabric markers) and fishing pole (small wooden sticks or dowels found at craft stores, pieces of string and clothespins to function as the hook). Fill a large bucket with small toys and stickers. After dinner, invite them to wear their hat and cast their rods into the bucket where you attach a gift to the clothes pin. Then let them make their own dessert with dirt (crushed choclate cookies), gummy worms and whipped cream.