A Guide to Setting Up the Perfect Kids' Table for Christmas Dinner

Christmas is a time of joy, and what better joy is there than seeing the delight on children’s faces as they find a Christmas wonderland awaiting them when the time comes to have dinner? 

Hosting a Christmas dinner for adults is great, but you have to think of simplistic decor to avoid over-cluttering the dining room or the table. You have to take different dietary restrictions into account, and you need to ensure that practicality reigns supreme. 

It’s very different when it comes to kids. They don’t care much for practicality, and they love busy, colourful scenes. So setting up a magical dinner table for the children can actually be more fun than cautiously decorating the grown-ups’ space. 

So here are some ideas to draw inspiration from for setting up the perfect kids’ table for Christmas dinner. 

Choosing A Children’s Table for Christmas Dinner

Before you can set up a magical Christmas table, you need the table, of course. You don’t have to go out and buy one especially, however. If you have a spacious coffee table, that can double as a kids’ dining table - they do not mind sitting on the floor, and their knees can take it. 

Alternatively, if you have a second dining room, an outside dining area, or even an old kids' table in the garage, you could set something up for the kids there. Consider their ages, though. If you’re hosting mostly younger kids, a full-sized dining table might prove a bit too much. 

In this case, you’re better off with the coffee table idea. If you don’t have a suitable one, you could consider upgrade your coffee table.

Another option you could take is to buy a kids table, especially for this occasion. The Mini Maeve Play Table is a great option for kids. With a warm, natural-toned table with a wood-look finish and organic oval shape it seamlessly fits with most home aesthetics. As it is compact, it’s an easy option to store away after the Christmas Season

Need room for more kids, something like the Hudson kids' table is a fine fit for hosting a children’s dinner party. If you have more kids than the table can handle, you could always place two of them together. 

And don’t forget seating for your little guests. The Mini Moodle Chairis a super cute and comfy option, that the kids will be sure to love. 

Alternatively, the Mini Moo Stool - Set of Two - Beigeare another great seat that can neatly tucked away after or popped into storage after your guests have departed.

Fun Christmas Dinner Ideas for Kids

Here’s where things get fun. You can go wild with Christmas decorations on a kids’ table, and they won’t mind it all that much. Think bright colours, charming decorations, candy canes, and even toys. You could even add a small table-top Christmas tree as a centrepiece. 

Generally, the more boldly decorated the table is, the more enchanted kids will be. But don’t forget the surroundings, either. 

Decorate the walls with tinsel, wreaths, or other hanging Christmas decorations. Add little Santas wherever there’s a hole for them. Sprinkle decorations across the room - the kids will love it. 

One of our favourite ideas is to cut up a few lengths of tinsel and stick these to the roof. A floor lamp then adds a twinkle to the ceiling that can create another realm of magic within the room. Alternatively, you could also opt for a Christmas light projector for even more magic. 

For cutlery and crockery, you can simply go with affordable plastic options if you have them around the house. These are especially great in the traditional Christmas colours, so they match the room’s decor. 

Last, but not least, the food. Children don’t usually eat as much as adults, so catering to them can be a bit easier. Fun foods such as potato faces and mince pies can make for a great main course. For dessert, you can get as creative as you want. 

Christmas cookies, gingerbread men, or even chocolate pudding with some Christmas sweets on top could all make delicious desserts for the little ones. 

Festive Spaces Without The Clutter

Finally, the big one. How do you organise this space once your guests leave and you’re left with the mess? No one likes cleaning up, but there are some handy storage ideas that can help you clear the clutter while keeping things in reach for next year’s Christmas dinner. 

If you have space in a bookshelf or empty room, organisers similar to the Kata Cube can help you keep all the decorations in one place without causing an eyesore. There are all kinds of sleek storage baskets that can transform open spaces into viable storage. 

If you’re in the market for new furniture, you may even want to consider acquiring a new cabinet or shelf for this room. Something simple like the Watson cube storage unit can hold 8 storage baskets comfortably.

Alternatively, depending on the purpose of this space out of season, you could also opt for a buffet or sideboard, or even a cabinet that fits the space aesthetically. 

In the end, with a little creativity or even a new purchase, if you have to, you can keep the room clutter-free all year, and transform it into a child’s Christmas wonderland on this one special night. 

Spread Joy and Have Fun

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that we enjoy this time of year and that we take time to recuperate and regenerate our energy for the year ahead. 

Hosting a kids’ Christmas dinner party can be a lot of fun, but don’t let it stress you out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially if you have kids of your own in the house. Who better to ask what a kid likes, than a kid themselves? 

You can then turn this venture into a fun family activity every year, and always be the favourite aunt or uncle in the family. 

FAQ: Common Questions People Have While Planning An Ideal Kids' Table For Christmas Dinner

How would you decorate a kids' table for a party without it looking all messy?

Sometimes, messy doesn’t translate in a child’s brain. Instead, they see bright, colourful, and magical. That said, you don’t want to overclutter their space too much. So opt for a nice Christmas centrepiece, some candy canes, and perhaps a few mini Santas. 

If this is too much for the size of the table, place the min Santas around the room and place the candy canes in a har to keep them organised. A small centrepiece is also enough, it doesn’t have to be a grand vase of holly and pine. 

A simple miniature Christmas tree or even a bowl filled with Christmas candies will be enough to delight the children. 

Which furniture is appropriate fora children's Christmas dinner party?

You don’t have to overthink this one. Tables and chairs especially made for kids can be great, and add to their comfort, but in the end, kids aren’t all that picky. Turning your coffee table into a little dining table is perfectly fine as well. 

Definitely use a budget tablecloth - you wouldn’t want your coffee table picking up any stubborn or even permanent stains. 

What can I do for my children to enjoy their dinner?

Think of some fun Christmas-themed foods for them to enjoy. If they’re jealous of the adults’ buffet-style dinner, consider making them their own mini buffet with some fun potato faces, mince pies, or other foods that resemble treats. 

If the grown-up dinner is taking too long and the kids get bored, consider getting a few simple board games out, or even a couple of colouring books could do the trick. 

If all else fails, you could always call the kids’ dinner off early and put a nice animated kids' movie on the TV. 

What are some kid-friendly decoration ideas for a Christmas table?

Candy canes are a great idea since they double as both treats and decorations. Tiny Christmas trees, or (especially) those little tree decorations that resemble wrapped gifts. They’re always a hit. 

Finally, tinsel is always a great option to drape around the table or even stick tinsel to the edges of the table for a little bit of extra magic. 

How do I manage storage when the event is over?

Consider picking up a few storage cubes, which are handy containers that add to the decor of any room but also hold a ton of stuff. They can make great and affordable solutions for keeping unused decorations out of sight during the entire year.