Every great tea party starts with an invitation.

There are guests to gather, treats to prepare and a table to set just right. Some visitors arrive wearing party clothes, others come with floppy ears or tiny paws, but every one of them has an important place at the table.

The best part? Once everyone has arrived, your child decides exactly how the story unfolds.

Here are a few ideas to help make tea time even more magical.

The guest list comes first

Every tea party needs wonderful company.

Favourite dolls, cuddly companions and soft toys are always happy to accept an invitation, each bringing their own little personality to the table. One guest might only drink strawberry tea, another could insist on sitting beside their best friend, while someone else arrives fashionably late with a very important story to tell.

Children often know these details without missing a beat.

If they decide a wooden spoon, a pebble or a drawing deserves a place at the table too, there's always room for one more guest.

Setting the scene

A picnic blanket, a low table or even a cosy corner of the living room is all you need to begin.

Gather a few cups, plates and anything that might become a teapot. Real tea sets are lovely, but imagination works just as well.

Children love adding the finishing touches, too. Handmade place cards, flowers from the garden, colourful drawings or tiny decorations all help make the celebration feel even more special.

What's on today's menu?

Every good host needs something delicious to serve.

Your child might dream up a menu filled with:

• Invisible tea in every flavour imaginable

• Pretend cakes piled high with sprinkles

• Fruit for guests who fancy something fresh

• Biscuits or snacks to share together

Half the fun is deciding exactly what everyone has ordered.

Tea-time chatter

The conversations at a pretend tea party are often the best part.

Some guests have exciting adventures to share. Others might need cheering up after a busy morning or be planning their next expedition together.

If you're invited to join the table, try chatting directly to the dolls or companions and let your child answer on their behalf. It's a lovely way to encourage storytelling while following wherever their imagination decides to go.

You never quite know what you'll hear over a cup of invisible tea.

A tea party for every occasion

Some tea parties call for a little extra magic.

A Rainbow Realm celebration might be filled with colourful treats, sparkling decorations and everyone's brightest party outfit.

A Mumble Jungle gathering could feature tropical fruits, leafy decorations and the chance of an unexpected visit from Mango Monkey.

Or perhaps today's celebration is simply because everyone felt like having tea together.

Some of the most memorable afternoons begin without a plan at all.

There's always room for one more

Every friend in Dinkum World arrives with their own name, personality and little story, ready to become part of yours.

Whether they're hosting the grandest tea party in the Rainbow Realm or sharing invisible cake on the living room floor, every gathering becomes another adventure to remember.

Every invitation, every conversation and every make-believe moment adds another chapter to a story that's completely your own.

Touch the rainbow over your Dinkum's heart, close your eyes and imagine who's coming to tea next.

Set the table, gather your favourite companions and let the story begin.