How to Set the Table: Plate, Napkin, Fork, Spoon and Glass

Everything you need to set a table, in eight words: the tablecloth or a place mat, the plate and the bowl, the fork and the spoon, the napkin and the glass. Setting the table is one of the first jobs children can do to help with a family meal.

The basic rule: the fork goes on the left, the knife and spoon on the right, and the glass above the knife. Bowl, cloth and plate read backwards.

Table Setting Vocabulary: 8 Words to Find

Words run across, up and down; 5 of the 8 read backwards. The longest word is Napkin, with 6 letters.

Bowl: A deep, round dish for soup, cereal or salad.
Cloth: A tablecloth, the fabric that covers the table for a meal.
Fork: The dinner fork, placed to the left of the plate.
Glass: A drinking glass, placed above the knife in a table setting.
Mat: A place mat, set under each person's plate.
Napkin: A square of cloth or paper to wipe your mouth and hands, placed on the lap.
Plate: A flat dish for food, set in the center of each place setting.
Spoon: The soup or dessert spoon, placed to the right of the knife.

How to Solve the Table Setting Word Search

"Napkin" is the longest word and the only one that reads normally across. "Bowl" has the only W, and "cloth" the only C and H; both read backwards. "Glass" has a double S and "spoon" a double O.

Table Setting Activities for Kids

Draw a place setting and put each item in the right spot.
Let children set the table for a family meal after solving.
Talk about table manners: napkin on the lap, waiting until everyone is served.