Steeped in Sweetness
A Valentine Tea Party with Kids
There is something timeless about tea.
Not just the drinking of it — but the slowing down, the pouring, the choosing, the sitting together. Tea invites us to pause. And in a world that moves quickly, that pause feels almost sacred.
This month we hosted a Valentine tea gathering centered around herbs from the garden. The goal wasn’t perfection. It was connection.
A Little History of Tea 🌍
Tea has been shared for thousands of years. In ancient China, tea began as a medicinal drink — leaves steeped in hot water for clarity and vitality. As it spread across cultures, it took on different meanings:
In Japan, tea became ceremony and mindfulness.
In England, it became social tradition.
In the Middle East, it became hospitality.
In home gardens across Europe and early America, herbs were steeped long before boxed tea bags existed.
Before tea was commercial, it was local. Grown, gathered, dried, and shared.
That’s part of what makes introducing children to herbal tea so meaningful — it connects them to plants, history, rhythm, and stewardship.
The Herbs We Used 🌿
You do not need all of these to begin. Start simple. Even one blend can open the door.
We used:
Lemon balm
Chamomile
Rose petals
Lavender
Calendula
Blue butterfly pea
Marshmallow root
Hibiscus (roselle)
Lemon peel
Here’s a little more about each one for parents who want to understand what they’re offering:
🌿 Lemon Balm
A gentle, lemon-scented herb traditionally used to ease nervous tension and support digestion. It’s one of the most approachable herbs for children.
🌼 Chamomile
Tiny daisy-like flowers often used before bedtime. Chamomile is widely known for helping the body relax and unwind.
🌹 Rose Petals
Rose adds beauty and soft floral sweetness to tea and has long been associated with heart-centered traditions.
💜 Lavender
Fragrant and calming when used lightly in blends. A little goes a long way.
🌼 Calendula
Bright golden petals that add warmth and color. Mild and cheerful in tea.
💙 Blue Butterfly Pea
A deep blue flower that creates dramatic color-changing tea when lemon is added. Mild in flavor, unforgettable in experience.
🌱 Marshmallow Root
A soothing root known for its silky texture when steeped. Traditionally used to coat and comfort the throat.
🌺 Hibiscus (Roselle)
A vibrant red flower with a tart, fruity flavor that adds brightness and bold color.
🍋 Lemon Peel
Dried citrus peel that adds sparkle and aroma to any blend.
👉 [Link to the 4 Tea Recipes]
👉 [Link to Printable Herb Description Card]
👉 HERB SOURCES. If you are local Clarks in Loma Linda has a whole isle of loose leaf herbs. I’d try them out. Otherwise Mountin Rose Herbs is a great resource www.mountainroseherbs.com
If you’re new to herbal tea with children, choose one recipe that feels fun — maybe the color-changing blue tea — and begin there. You don’t need a full apothecary to start.
💙 Try This: Color-Changing Tea Magic
Blue butterfly pea contains natural plant pigments that respond to acidity.
Steep the flowers in hot water until deep blue. Pour into clear cups and add:
A squeeze of lemon
A splash of lime
A drop of apple cider vinegar
Watch the color shift from blue to purple or pink.
Let the children predict what will happen before adding the acid. Compare shades. Add more. Observe again.
If you enjoyed that experiment, add a small pinch of roselle (hibiscus) and see what happens. Because roselle is naturally tart and acidic, it will deepen the color into rich purples and reds.
It’s plant science disguised as magic.
Making It Magical ✨
Tea time doesn’t require matching china.
Thrift stores are full of charm:
Mismatched teacups
Lace tablecloths
Cloth napkins
The whimsy is in the variety.
If something breaks, it’s no big deal.
Play soft classical music.
Dress in “fancy” clothes.
Serve stuffed animals.
There is something deeply sweet about watching a child carefully pour tea for a bear.
The 10 Rules of Tea Time 🫖
These aren’t strict rules — they’re gentle rhythms that help children feel steady and present.
Move slowly. Tea is not rushed.
Pour with two hands. It teaches care and steadiness.
Say please and thank you. Hospitality matters.
Smell before you sip. Herbs tell their story through scent first.
Take small sips. Notice flavor and warmth.
Listen when others speak. Tea time is conversation space.
Stir gently, without clinking. Care for delicate things.
Notice the warmth in your hands. Let it calm you.
Compliment the host. Kind words matter.
Leave the table better than you found it. Clear your cup and care for the space.
Grow the Garden, Grow the Tradition 🌱
If this tea party sparks something in your home, consider turning it into a living project — a small tea garden you plant and tend together.
You don’t need a large space.
A few pots on a sunny patio will do.
Choose:
One calming herb
One colorful flower
One fragrant plant
Let the children water them.
Watch the leaves grow.
Harvest together.
Drying and blending becomes part of the rhythm of your home.
Tea time then becomes more than an activity — it becomes a season.
🌿 Lemon Balm
Easy to grow in sun or partial shade and very forgiving. Harvest leaves throughout the season.
🌼 Chamomile
Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Blooms in spring and early summer.
🌹 Roses
Thrive in full sun with good airflow. Harvest unsprayed petals during bloom season.
Fun note: After blooms fade, many roses produce rose hips — small red fruits rich in vitamin C. One plant, two tea experiences.
💜 Lavender
Loves full sun and well-drained soil. Harvest when flowers just begin to open.
🌼 Calendula
Cool-season flower that grows easily from seed. Blooms in spring and fall.
💙 Blue Butterfly Pea
Warm-season vine that loves heat and needs a small trellis to climb.
🌺 Hibiscus (Roselle)
Thrives in summer heat and full sun. Produces vibrant red calyxes later in the season. This plant is hard to grow in our area. I plant in the spring and it gets HUGE but doesn’t flower until fall. It is a tropical plant and very sensitive to cold so I count myself lucky to get any flowers I get before it dies.
🌱 Marshmallow
Perennial plant that prefers full sun and moist soil. Roots can be harvested carefully in fall or early spring.
Growing Logistics Made Simple 🌞
Most tea herbs prefer full sun (6+ hours daily).
Plant in spring after frost.
Use well-draining soil.
Water consistently but avoid standing water.
Harvest lightly and often.
Dry herbs in a shaded space with airflow.
You plant in spring.
You harvest in summer.
You sip in fall.
Children begin to see the rhythm of seasons through something as simple as a cup of tea.
Let’s Grow Together
If you decide to host your own tea party or feel inspired to plant a little tea garden of your own, we would love to see it. Tag us and let us be part of your journey. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram @k2acres — it brings us so much joy to watch these small, meaningful moments grow in other homes. 🫖
