I took my kids to have tea today.
Real life, three-tier platter high afternoon tea. There were porcelain cups that could break, there was clotted cream and I kid you not, there was a real English lady there baking scones.
It would have been a much better story if there was an English lady making crumpets but my wife says that there were no crumpets and that could be construed as libel. So, I’m giving it to you straight: There were scones. We were likely underdressed, and solidly 40 years younger than the patrons next to us, but man do we love to take our kids out for tea. So we went.
Have you checked out Tina’s Traditional Old English Kitchen & Tearoom in Carmel? If you haven’t, you should. That’s where we went. My wife and I and our two youngest kids took a seat next to the front window. The gorgeous late morning sun was beaming in on us, creating an idyllic and picturesque background for my two little darlings to shove copious amounts of sugar cubes in their mouths. You see, there is a lot to love about Tina’s: The under-the-stairs play area for kids, the beautiful teacups, and the ah-mazing tomato chutney. But for my kids, all of it pales in comparison to those little brown and white lumps of sweet sweet sugary goodness. They didn’t even notice that we were able to come in without the usual 24-hour reservation that most afternoon teas require… Or that the staff was extremely kind and patient while my daughter refused to leave the play area until we’d taken her picture wearing 20 different plastic dress up rings and three princess tiaras.
What they did notice was that we went and did something a little different today. We played dress up, we pretended to be princesses and princes, we drank from special cups and we gave them our undivided attention because God knows we were horrified that they might smash a water goblet to the floor.
Taking your kids to afternoon tea is like that. It’s like skydiving: So many things could go wrong in so many ways, but usually it’s fine and you’re left with an awesome memory. Except – unlike skydiving – the colder it is outside the more fun it is to do. So I suggest getting dressed up and heading out!
If getting dressed up is too challenging for your crew – or heading to Hamilton County too much of a trek – you can always visit one of the other places listed below or throw a tea party at home. There’s an option for every location and budget.
Here is a list of tea rooms in Indianapolis worth visiting with kids:
Tina’s Traditional English Kitchen and Tea Room
30 Rangeline Rd, Carmel
(317)565-9716
Sassafras
229 Madison Ave, Greenwood
(317)888-8449
Serenity
135 S Main St, Zionsville
(317)873-5590
Located on the 3rd floor of Saks Fifth Ave at the Fashion Mall
8701 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis
(317)816-0171
3746 82nd St, Indianapolis
140 E. 22nd Street, Indianapolis
(317) 920-1016
11643 Maple St. Fishers
(317)578-2550
6283 N College Ave, Indianapolis
(317)910-9977
Your House
123 Anywhere St, Somewhere, IN
In late June 2007, Luis Ruvacalba removed his laundry from the dryer to find that he had rendered all of his undershirts pink and shrunk his favorite red University of Arizona sweater.At that point – as he says: “I realized: I need a wife. I married Katie in Sept of 2007. Aside from one lousy pen left in my pants pocket and numerous dried on Conner Prairie stickers, the laundry has gone pretty well since then.” Luis has four children: Maggie- 7, Micah- 5, Millie- 2, and Merritt- 1. Each of them helps him sharpen his parenting skills in new and unique ways. “Without Maggie I’d never have learned to put on tights. Without Micah I would have the weakest MMA fighting skills on the block. Millie challenges me to improve my search and rescue abilities. Merritt gives me weekly lessons in Matrix style urine dodging. Together we are the greatest family to ever ruin your family’s nice quiet afternoon at the park.”
Follow along with Luis as he helps shows you the best places to let your family run wild.
