Years ago, while teaching middle school, I was encouraged to lead an enrichment class, and I chose to teach table manners to a group of young ladies. Fast forward a decade (okay… maybe a little more 😄), and I found myself wanting to teach those same skills to my own girls. Not because manners matter less for boys — but because my girls are far more interested in being fancy than their brothers! Instead of nagging at the dinner table, I decided to take a more intentional and fun approach by using hands-on activities to practice etiquette. Take a look and see if any of these table manners resources might work for your family or classroom too!
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This activity works especially well to teach table manners in a classroom setting. Students begin by numbering a sheet of paper from 1 to 20 and answering each question with a simple yes or no. After everyone has responded honestly, review the questions together, discussing which choices demonstrate good table manners and which ones do not.
This is an effective opening activity to teaching kids table manners. The quiz encourages discussion and personal reflection and is a great way to break the ice with a group of girls. I personally went through the slideshow with my children as a group, which worked very well. There is one slide that uses the word “ladies” instead of “students,” and I simply explained to my boys that it should be read as “young men and ladies.” It was an easy clarification and not an issue at all.
If you have girls, you’ll likely have one or two who enjoy pretending to be “fancy.” I’ll admit we’re not really Disney people, but my girls do enjoy a few Fancy Nancy books. After reading them, they became interested in embracing their own “fancy” side—fixing their hair, dressing up in fancy clothes, and even sipping from fancy glasses. One evening, after finishing a Fancy Nancy story, I suggested that we start a “Fancy Friday.”
Fancy Friday quickly became the event of the week! My girls and I decided to host a fancy finger-food lunch, and they went all out. They carefully decorated name cards, set out matching plates, napkins, and forks, prepared a colorful array of finger foods, and filled “fancy” glasses with lemonade—our official fancy drink of the day! For two little ladies, ages five and seven, it was pure magic. They shaped croissants, chopped up vegetables, arranged everything on trays, and giggled their way through every single fancy detail. By the end, they felt like true little ladies enjoying the fanciest lunch ever.
The girls’ guests for Fancy Friday included their brothers and Dad. When everyone arrived, the girls eagerly reminded them to wash their hands and then personally escorted them to their seats. I couldn’t help but smile at the boys’ reaction—they were curious, polite, and genuinely excited to see all the fancy food. To my surprise, they even complimented the girls’ table setting and food display, which made the little ladies beam with pride!
Of course, we also took the chance to teach some basic table manners: elbows off the table, napkins in laps, and sitting up nice and straight. The lunch went so beautifully that we decided Fancy Friday would become a monthly tradition—every first Friday of the month! It was the perfect way to talk about manners, social graces, and everyday etiquette in a fun, hands-on way. As Clarence Thomas said, “Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.” Fancy Friday proved that learning manners can be just as fun as being fancy!
Another fun way to practice table manners is to invite friends over for a tea party. This is a simpler, less involved way to practice etiquette while giving girls a chance to play host—a skill they’ll use as they grow older. All you really need are tea and scones, but you can also add tiny sandwiches, quiche, or petite desserts to make it extra special. Young guests will be delighted by the idea of a tea party, and letting your kids set the table with teacups and saucers adds even more excitement. Whether your family partakes in Fancy Friday or a Tea Party with friends, these are both ideal opportunities to teach table manners in a way that is inviting and fun!
We are not necessarily a fancy family, but we want our kids to grow up knowing how to set a table. Teaching basic table manners is important to us. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving dinner or a special occasion, we believe this is a practical skill that will serve them well as they grow. Just as you want your child to feel confident entering a math class, helping them feel comfortable in a more formal social setting is an important part of preparing for the future. Most of the time, we keep things simple—just a plate, cup, napkin, and a fork or spoon. With six kids, my motto is usually “the fewer dishes, the better.” Lately, however, we’ve been practicing setting the table more formally, following the diagram below.
Years ago, when I was teaching that enrichment class, I brought in paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, and plastic glasses for the young ladies to arrange. This gave them the chance to practice creating an informal place setting without needing to use real china. At home, your kids can easily take turns setting the table using this guide. It’s a perfect example of learning without a textbook!
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