But now those pesky kids are getting in on the act, and chefs are coming up with increasingly ingenious ways to tickle their tastebuds. Take the Science Museum's new Kids Science Afternoon Tea (£22) where young guests are encouraged to explore and experiment through taste and play. After munching on sandwiches and a scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam they can use test tubes filled with colourful toppings - think popping candy and crushed moon rocks - and a syringe of 'blood' frosting to decorate their own cupcake.
The tea also includes a rocket ship cookie, petri dish jelly, plus sausage roll, and cheese straws. It's all washed down with a '6th element pink lemonade' where they create their own chemistry with two beakers and test tubes to mix lemon juice and baking soda which adds carbon dioxide bubbles to their lemonade. For £32 mums and dads get a more sophisticated twist on the theme with cucumber and salmon sandwiches, a Galaxy brownie and unlimited tea and coffee.
It's available Wed-Sun, 12.00 and 15.00 in the Gallery Café.
Advance booking essential. The Sanderson Hotel in Fitzrovia offers both grown up and kids versions of its popular Mad Hatters' afternoon tea. (Image: The Sanderson Hotel) The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington is also offering an inventive and award-winning science-themed afternoon tea including jellies in petri dishes, chocolate spacemen, dinosaur biscuits, and not so ancient edible fossils.
There's an adult and a children's version, wi.
