Poetry Tea Time Ideas and Resources

If you’ve hung around in Charlotte Mason circles for very long you’ve likely heard of poetry tea time. We have done a form of poetry tea time in our home for a few years now. I aim to do our poetry tea time once a week, but life happens and we do not always get to have our tea time that often. Today, I am going to share with your some poetry tea time ideas and resources if you’d like to bring this fun idea into your homeschool!

What Is Poetry Tea Time?

Let’s start with the basics. What is poetry tea time? Poetry Tea Time was brought into the homeschool world by Julie Bogart of Brave Writer. She even has a poetry teatime website.

Poetry tea time is basically a special time set aside with tea (or beverage of choice) and special snacks. Poetry readings are done during this time and it’s supposed to be an enjoyable experience for all! 

Poetry tea time can seem pretty daunting when you have several small children. Many moms like to get out the fine china and real tea pots. I actually don’t have a tea set, but do like to use our coffee mugs. My youngest children actually have small mugs just for them. We do typically use glass plates and try to dress up the table with a vase and flowers (real or fake) at least. The point is to make the time special. 

I would like to get a special tea set just for our poetry tea time. I’ve seen moms set up a special basket with cups and saucers and a tea pot. I typically just use a kettle and, of course, our coffee mugs. Don’t think you have to have fancy things to start this tradition. Just use what you have!

I shared over on Instagram our totally laid back poetry tea time.

We also choose special books. Sometimes we use poetry books. Sometimes I just read from our read aloud. It’s always nice to let the kids have a turn reading poems. My kids love funny poetry, so if it’s funny, that’s a plus in our book!

Poetry Tea Time Snacks

The snack options for poetry tea time are endless! Here are a few of our favorites:

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Scones
• Cucumber sandwiches
• Snack board (pepperoni, cheese, olives, crackers)
• Small ham sandwiches
• Muffins (like these lemon poppy seed muffins)
• Sliced fruit/veggies and dip

You can choose any warm beverage you like. We especially enjoy herbal teas and hot cocoa!

Poetry Tea Time Books

I usually pull in our current read aloud and read a chapter. Here’s a list of family favorite read-alouds if you’re interested.

You’ll also want to keep a variety of poetry books on hand. These are our favorites:

A Child’s Garden of Verses

A Child’s Book of Poems

Anything by Dr. Seuss

Where the Sidewalk Ends

When We Were Very Young

Now We Are Six

Read-Aloud Poems for Young People

The Children’s Book of Virtues

We also like Highlights magazines.

Poetry Tea Time Resources

There are many resources available to inspire you to poetry tea time. One favorite is a Year of Poetry Tea Time. It’s full of poems to read for every month, as well as lots of lovely recipes to include in your poetry teatime!  

The Poetry Teatime Companion is full of wonderful poems for your children to read aloud and enjoy, as well!

How To Have Poetry Tea Time

Choose a time when all of your children will be receptive to sitting at the table, so if you have babies you can do it during their nap time or when they are in a good mood. 

Set the table. You can put out a table cloth if you’d like, or use placemats. 

Pour the children their tea or hot cocoa, and bring out the treats.

Everyone who can read takes a turn sharing a poem! It’s that simple! 

When you’ve finished your teatime, enlist your children in helping you clean up.

And that’s it! Have fun!

Visit my Amazon Storefront for more Poetry Book ideas!

Watch the video below to see a snippet into one of poetry teatimes!