Kids' Table Resources
I had such a fun morning yesterday with Kacie of Mama Knows Nutrition. I joined her for an IG Live where we talked about keeping kids entertained, fed, and under control at holiday gatherings (small though they may be in 2020). Below I’ve consolidated the resources we discussed for creating the perfect children’s table. My number one tip? Coloring paper placemats! These are an activity unto themselves and also provide the perfect surface for things like sensory kits and simple crafts. Happy hosting!
Sophistiplate– This is a great resource for chic, disposable party items and I especially love the elevated plastic cutlery.
Hester & Cook – Another go-to for paper party items with gorgeous illustrations and designs. Their table runners, placemats, and table accents are in constant rotation at my house for both kids and adults.
Meri Meri – Again, a fabulous option for elevated paper plates and accessories. They also have darling stocking stuffers and toppers/decorations for baked goods. Here is their full Christmas offering.
Shop Simply Celebrate – This is a small business owned by two moms who understand what it takes to keep kids entertained. They’re a great resource for “coloring placemats;” for Christmas they’re offering a nativity scene.
Scribbled Designs – These products are designed by teachers and are all about keeping kids engaged. They have everything from coloring placemats to activity binders and more. They’ve just gone on hiatus for Christmas break but will be back in the new year.
Darling Little Details – These sensory kits keep my kids occupied for hours. Here is the snowman I shared on yesterday’s IG Live.
Swoozie's – If you look in the Christmas section you'll find a lot of the "kids' table essentials" we mentioned on the IG Live: coloring placemats, fun sippy cups, festive poppers, and a large selection of paper plates and napkins.
A Party Made Perfect – This company does fantastic "parties in a box." It's everything you need to set a darling table, all together in one package. At this point they're sold out of many designs, but they'll restock in 2021. I love this resource for birthday parties!
As much as I love promoting smaller businesses, given the shipping delays we’re all experiencing sometimes it’s just easy to use Amazon or pop into Target. Here are a few of my “big box” resources and what I love at each one:
Crayola.com – They have a ton of free printable coloring pages (Christmas options here).
Amazon – Do a search for “Christmas coloring placemats” and there are several options that will arrive in time for the holiday (these are darling). You can also find Meri Meri items on Amazon.
Target – Target has really stepped up its game over the last few years when it comes to disposable tableware (perfect for the kids' table). Their Spritz brand is reliably cute and I also find these fabulous coloring tablecloths at Target (they usually have them for all holidays). They’re $3 and are basically one giant coloring sheet.
Party City – You can definitely find good, disposable options if you sift through the – ahem – “tackier” stuff. A cute idea is tying a festive balloon to each child’s place at the kids’ table. I also like their holiday-themed “sippy” cups to prevent spills (here and here).
Michaels – The holiday section often has a lot of inexpensive activity kits for kids (my 8 year old loves their beaded jewelry kits, for example). I also like having mess-free crafting supplies on hand such as pipe cleaners, precut felt and foam shapes, construction paper, etc. You can even create your own little sensory kits with Play-Doh, googly eyes, buttons, little figurines, and pompoms (of course, small pieces can be choking hazards so be thoughtful about what you buy).
