Dandelion Tea Party

LESSON 6

Children conclude the dandelion unit by crafting invitations for a tea party, preparing dandelion tea or lemonade, and enjoying a tea party celebration. 

  • Teacups or small cups

  • Paper

  • Crayons, markers, colored pencils

  • Cookies or cupcakes from previous lesson

  • Ingredients for dandelion tea or lemonade

Ingredients for dandelion tea: 

  • Fresh dandelion leaves free of pesticides or storebought tea 

  • Kettle or pot 

  • Honey, or lemon to flavor and sweeten 

 

Ingredients for dandelion lemonade: 

  • 3-4 freshly squeezed lemons 

  • 8 cups of water 

  • ½-1 cup of sugar 

  • Rinsed dandelion heads 

  • Ice 

Materials

  • Gather materials and ingredients for recipe of choice.  

  • Gather tablecloths, plates, cups, or any other additional decorations to make your tea party feel special.  

Preparations

  • Children create invitations for a tea party and engage with their imagination through practical or pretend play as they host a tea party. 

  • Children prepare dandelion lemonade or tea following instructions, practicing measuring and mixing ingredients. 

  • Children reflect on the life cycle and uses of a dandelion throughout the unit.  

Objectives for Teachers

  • Foster an appreciation for dandelions as you reflect with your child on the activities and knowledge of dandelions from this unit.

  • Encourage creativity as children make invitations for their tea party.

  • Assist children in following the directions for making tea or lemonade.

  • Engage with children in play as you host a tea party together. 

Objectives for Children

Collect and Connect

Practice saying the poem “Dandelion” together with the actions you came up with.

Dandelion

“O dandelion, yellow as gold, 

What do you do all day?” 

“I just wait here in the tall green grass, 

Till children come out to play.”  

 

“O dandelion, yellow as gold, 

What do you do all night?” 

“I wait and wait till the cold dew falls, 

And my hair grows long and white.” 

 

“And what do you do when your hair is white, 

And the children come out to play?” 

“They take me up in their dimpled hands, 

And blow my hair away.” 

Activity Flow

  1. Begin by reflecting on the previous lessons throughout the unit. Here are some questions you might ask: 

  • What has been your favorite activity? 

  • Did you learn anything new about dandelions?  

  • Can you think of any other creative ways we could use dandelions to create or cook with? 

2. Next, share with your child that you will be concluding the dandelion unit with a tea party today! Your child can invite real friends, siblings, or their favorite stuffed animals. Start by crafting invitations together. Get creative and talk about the importance of adding a time, a date, and a place to invitations so that people know when and where to arrive.  

3. Then head outside to gather dandelions for your tea or lemonade recipe. You can also find dandelion root tea at many stores. If you’d like, collect extra dandelions to make a flower crown or to use as decor on the table.  

4. When you are done collecting, prepare the tea or lemonade following a recipe online, or the ones below.

Dandelion Lemonade

  1. Squeeze the juice from 3-4 fresh lemons into a pitcher. Strain the seeds and pulp if desired.

  2. Add 8 cups of water to the pitcher.

  3. Gradually stir in ½ to 1 cup of sugar, depending on your desired sweetness level.

  4. Rinse the dandelion heads thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.

  5. Gently add the rinsed dandelion heads to the pitcher.

  6. Stir the mixture well to ensure the sugar is dissolved and the flavors are combined.

  7. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.

  8. Once chilled, pour the lemonade over ice in glasses.

  9. Garnish with a lemon slice or a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.

  10. Enjoy your refreshing homemade Dandelion Lemonade! 

Dandelion Tea

  1. Begin by collecting fresh dandelion leaves from a clean and pesticide-free area. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. 

  2. Boil water in a kettle or pot. Use about 1 cup of water for each serving of tea. 

  3. Place a handful of fresh dandelion leaves (about 2-3 tablespoons) into a teapot or mug. Or follow the teabag instructions if you opted for storebought tea bags or leaves.  

  4. Pour the boiling water over the dandelion leaves. 

  5. Allow the tea to steep for 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you like it. 

  6. Once steeped, strain the tea to remove the dandelion leaves. 

  7. Serve the dandelion tea hot, or let it cool for a refreshing iced tea option. 

  8. Optionally, add honey or lemon for extra flavor. 

  9. Enjoy your homemade Dandelion Tea!