What Is A Playdate?
A playdate is a planned activity or visit between two children. It typically involves going to someone's house or another pre-arranged location, such as a park. Playdates are often arranged by the parents of the children involved, although older kids may sometimes set them up themselves.
A playdate's purpose is to allow kids to socialize and play together. They can be an excellent way for kids to make new friends or spend time with old ones. Playdates can also be a good way for parents to get to know each other better and build a support network.
Playdates typically last a few hours, although they can sometimes go longer if everyone is having a good time. Having an end time in mind is essential, so everyone knows when it's time to go home.
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Where To Have Playdates: Place and Location Ideas
There are many different places where you can have a playdate. Some popular ideas include:
- going to the park
- going to an indoor playground
- having a picnic in the backyard
- playing at someone's house
- going to the zoo or museum
- visiting a nearby farm
- taking a trip to the pool or beach
- going to the library
- going to a music concert (you can even try classical music, but do not stay for too long there; 30 min is enough)
- going to a movie theater
- going to a kids' show
- taking a cooking masterclass
- going to a minigolf field
- going to bowling for kids
- going to the skating rink
- taking a pottery or drawing masterclass just for your small group at an art studio
How Do You Host A Fun Playdate?
There are a few things that you can do to help make sure that your playdate is successful. First, choosing a safe and age-appropriate place for the children is essential, and you should also ensure that there is enough space for the kids to play and that there are no hazards.
It's also a good idea to plan a few activities ahead of time, which will help keep the kids occupied and prevent them from getting bored. Finally, it's essential to be flexible and go with the flow. Things will inevitably go wrong at some point, but that's all part of the fun!
What Not To Do On A Playdate
First, don't force the kids to do anything they don't want; this will only lead to frustration and tears. Allow for free play but have some activities in hand if things go wild at some point.
Second, don't hover over the kids the entire time. It's important to let them have space to play and explore independently.
Finally, don't forget to relax and have fun yourself! Playdates are supposed to be enjoyable for the kids and the adults involved.
Playdates For Toddlers
Toddlers can benefit from playdates just as much as older kids. However, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when planning a playdate for a toddler. First, it's crucial to choose a safe place for the playdate. Toddlers are notorious for putting things in their mouths, so ensure there are no hazards around.
Second, it's a good idea to keep the playdate short, and two or three hours is usually about as long as a toddler can handle. Finally, make sure to have some activities planned ahead of time. Toddlers tend to get bored quickly, so keeping them occupied is important.
Here is our excellent post on playdate ideas for toddlers "What to Do on a Playdate: 70+ Play Ideas for 1- to 4-Year-Olds"
Playdates For Preschoolers
Preschoolers are usually the perfect age for playdates. They are old enough to understand sharing and taking turns but young enough to be still interested in playing with other kids. When planning a playdate for a preschooler, it's important to choose a safe and age-appropriate place.
You should also plan some activities ahead of time. Preschoolers tend to have short attention spans, so keeping them occupied can be useful. Finally, make sure to be flexible and go with the flow. Things will inevitably go wrong at some point, but that's all part of the fun!
Playdates For School-Age Kids
School-age kids enjoy playdates just as much as younger kids. However, school-age kids are usually more active than younger kids, so ensure enough space for them to run around.
Also, it's a good idea to have some activities planned ahead of time. School-age kids have longer attention spans than younger kids but can still get bored quickly. However, boredom may be helpful for older children as it promotes creativity. As a result, the ideal practice is to provide open-ended materials to school-age kids and allow them to build their play on their own. The less involvement from you at this age, the better it is for kids.
Benefits of A Playdate for Kids
There are plenty of benefits to having playdates for older kids. First, it allows them to socialize with their peers, which is important for their development and can help them make friends. Second, it helps them to develop important social skills such as sharing, communication, and compromise.
Third, it's an excellent way for them to burn off energy. Older kids are usually full of energy, and a playdate is a perfect way to expend that energy positively. Finally, it's just plain fun! Playdates are a great way for kids to have fun and blow off some steam.
Here are more playdate benefits:
Playdates Spark Creativity and Imagination
One of the best things about playdates is that they spark creativity and imagination. When you leave kids to their own ideas, they often develop the most creative ideas. Their creativity wakes up because adult rules or expectations don't constrain them, and they can just let their imaginations run wild!
Playdates also give kids a chance to try new things. They might be hesitant to try something new on their own, but if their friends are doing it, they'll be more likely to give it a shot, leading to all sorts of new experiences and adventures.
Playdates Help Kids Develop Important Social Skills
Another great thing about playdates is that they help kids develop important social skills. When kids are around their peers, they learn how to share, communicate, and compromise. These are all critical skills that they'll need in their future relationships.
Playdates also teach kids how to deal with conflict. They might not always see eye-to-eye with their friends, but playdates allow them to work out their differences. They'll need this vital life skill as they grow older.
Emotional Benefits of Playdates
Play must be essential to every child's life, at least until seven years old. Still, today children are forced into academics much earlier, which takes its toll on their social-emotional development. So by organizing a playdate for your kids, you help them with this missing part of childhood - free play. Why is play important, and how does it influence children's learning and cognitive skill? Please read here: "Pretend Play: A Simple Path to Your Child’s Emotional Well-Being" and "How to Raise Smart Kids?"
Also, playdates help to increase self-confidence and self-esteem; when kids' friends come to a playdate, a hosting child feels accepted and more confident. Playdates also provide a sense of belonging, especially if your child is new at school. When kids feel good about themselves, they're more likely to take risks and try new things.
Playdates are also a great way to relieve stress. Kids often get stressed out about school, friends, and family, and playdates allow them to relax and have fun, which can help reduce their stress levels and make them feel better overall.
Finally, playdates help to promote empathy. Children who see their friends experiencing emotions learn to understand and share those feelings. This critical skill will help them in all aspects of their lives.
Playdates Improve Physical Health
In addition to playdates' many emotional benefits, there are plenty of physical benefits. Playdates help to improve physical health in several ways.
First, playdates give kids a chance to get some exercise. They might not realize it, but running around and playing games is great for their health. It helps to improve their cardiovascular health, build strong bones and muscles, and boost their energy levels.
Second, playdates help to improve coordination and motor skills. When kids run around and play games, they improve their coordination and motor skills, which is essential for their overall physical development.
Third, playdates help to reduce obesity. Obesity is a significant problem in today's society, but playdates can help to reduce the risk because they give kids a chance to burn off excess calories and stay active.
Playdates Improve Cognitive skills
In addition to the many physical benefits of playdates, there are also cognitive benefits.
Strategic thinking
Playing board games utilize many cognitive skills. Children must understand the rules and purpose of the game as well as form a strategy to win. Not only are board games entertaining, but they're also beneficial. So we always suggest that parents have them available during playdates. We have an excellent blog post series about the best board games for different ages that you should check out:
100% Best Board Games for 3 Year Olds Your Family Will Love
The Best Board Games for 4 Year Olds: Top 10 Family-Friendly Options
The Best Board Game for 5 Year Olds That Kids Really Love
Creative thinking
Did you know that playdates also help to improve problem-solving skills? When kids are playing games or engaging in other activities, they often have to solve problems. Do not set up toys for your kid's next playdate to make the most of it. Instead, choose materials that children can use in their play. For example, have a blanket and pillows available for them to build a tent rather than buying a ready-made tee-pee. Or wooden peg dolls, loose parts, and some pieces of nice fabrics instead of a store-bought fancy dollhouse with dolls. Children will love such open-ended materials and appreciate the efforts they put into play.
Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills
During free play kids develop their problem-solving and creativity skills without even realizing they are learning so much. Unobtrusive learning is a real power of play. Just imagine how many solutions they need to find when building a tent, for example, how to set up chairs so the blanket would not fall off, how to make it big enough for all the children to fit inside, etc. All these simple actions improve children's spatial and critical thinking skills, teaching them to cooperate and solve problems.
There are many ways to raise smart children, and one of them is by letting them play. Check out our comprehensive blog post for more tips on how to raise your kids ready for the future: "How to Raise Smart Kids? The Ultimate Guide You Must Read."
As you can see, there are many benefits of playdates. If you're looking for a way to improve your child's physical, emotional, and cognitive health, consider scheduling some playdates. Your child will have fun while also reaping the many benefits.
Playdates Build Independence and Create Long-Lasting Friendships
One of the best things about playdates is that they create long-lasting friendships.
Playdates allow kids to form bonds with other kids with similar interests, leading to even stronger friendships. Let the children solve their conflicts independently and build their opinion about the person they are friends with. Kids should make their own conclusions about what they like and accept in people and what is unacceptable, which is one of the pillars of social-emotional intelligence.
Also, you can delegate to children to organize their own playdates. By doing so, children will take responsibility for entertaining their friends and ensuring everyone is happy. Such an approach allows parents to step back and trust that their children can care for themselves and their friends. In doing so, parents send a message of faith that builds confidence in children, leading to more enjoyable playtimes for everyone involved.
So if you're looking for a way to help your child make friends, consider scheduling some playdates. Your child will have a blast while also forming lasting friendships.
What to do on a playdate
Can you recall when you, as a kid, had playdates? Who do you think was responsible for the activities then? Our parents rarely interrupted our play with friends and rarely got involved in our activities. They served snacks or lunch and sometimes intervened when things were getting wild. Our parents let us solve our friendship issues independently because they understood kids must learn to communicate.
Modern parents, however, are under constant pressure to perform their best. They want their children to have fun and socialize, so they feel obliged to plan playdates with other kids. However, thorough planning takes a lot from kids' social-emotional learning. Playdates now are not the same as they used to be. Even though parents have the best intentions, adult-guided pre-planned playdates don't allow children to explore and build valuable skills.
We advocate for free play on playdates and ask parents to limit their involvement as much as possible.
Play is vital to children's physical, social-emotional and cognitive development. Also, play is essential for developing creativity in kids, which you can read more about in our post "Creative Children: The Best Ways to Raise Innovative and Anti-fragile Kids." Because children are so limited in play opportunities these days, let them fully immerse in play during playdates.
There is nothing terrible about planning activities for your kids' playdates, but we suggest doing it with your child by asking them which activities they prefer and what their friends like to do. You shouldn't plan every second of their time with friends and try to micromanage everything. Just have some activities as a backup plan and let children spend their time the way they come up with.
Below are some ideas that you can have as a backup.
Playdate Ideas For Kids 4 - 7 Years Old
Need some ideas for your next playdate? Check out these great ideas:
1. Go to the park - The park is great for running around and exploring. Plus, it's usually free!
2. Have a picnic - Pack lunch and have a picnic in your backyard or at a nearby park.
3. Go to the library - The library is excellent for reading books and playing games. Plus, it's usually free!
4. Go for a walk - Getting some fresh air is always a good idea. Plus, it gives you a chance to chat with your friends.
5. Make some crafts - Get creative and make some crafts together. You can use items you have around the house or buy supplies from the store.
6. Play some games - Games are always fun to spend time with friends. You can play board games, card games, or even make up your own games.
7. Bake some goodies - Baking is a great way to spend time together. Plus, you get to eat the results!
8. Have a movie night - Pop some popcorn and settle in for a movie night. You can either rent a movie or watch one that you already own.
9. Go to the playground - The playground is great for running around and exploring. Plus, it's usually free!
10. Have a sleepover - Sleepovers are always a blast. Make sure to have snacks and games on hand to keep everyone entertained.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. Here is a fantastic blog post dedicated to playdate activities for 5 - 7-year-olds : "21 Playdate Ideas for 5-7-Year-Olds: Outdoor, Indoor & Adventure Games"
Fun Play Date Ideas for Kids 8-12 Years Old
If you're looking for fun play date ideas for kids 8-12 years old, you've come to the right place. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Backyard / Indoor Camping – Set up a tent in the backyard or living room and have a pretend camping trip. Roast marshmallows, tell stories and sleep in the tent overnight.
Pizza Party – Make your own pizzas home with all your favorite toppings. Then eat them while watching a movie or playing games.
Treasure Hunt – Hide toys or candy around the house or backyard and have your children find them. You can make it more challenging by giving clues along the way.
Scavenger Hunt – Make a list of items for kids to find around the neighborhood, which is a great way to explore your area and exercise.
Arts and Crafts – Get creative with arts and crafts. Kids can make paintings, sculptures, or anything else you can imagine, but you'll need to prepare all supplies in advance.
Dress-Up – Have a fashion show with all of your kids' favorite dress-up clothes. Take turns walking the runway and modeling the outfits.
Build an Indoor Fort – Use blankets, pillows, and furniture to build an indoor fort. Then have a picnic inside or sleep in the fort overnight.
Board Games – Dust off those old board games and have a family game night. Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue are always classics.
Learn magic tricks – There are plenty of ideas on YouTube, which we recommend searching in advance and having all props on hand so kids can practice the tricks during a playdate.
Fun in the Kitchen – Bake cookies, make pizzas or create other fun snacks together.
Sports Game in the Backyard – If you have a basketball hoop, baseball set, or other sports equipment, set up a game in the backyard.
Video Games – In our opinion, the best video games are those that get children moving. So we highly recommend the JustDance game; there is even an option without needing a gaming console. The game is super fun and will make every playdate awesome.
Science Experiments – There are tons of fun science experiments that you can do at home. Just do a quick search online for some ideas.
Nerf/Laser Tag – If you have the space at home and access to the right equipment, you can set up a course in your house or backyard for Nerf battle. For Laser tag, however, you'll need to take your kids to a special center.
Make Tie-Dye Shirts – Get some white shirts and some fabric dye and make some tie-dye shirts.
Play Darts - An easy and cost-effective way to entertain kids.
Karaoke - Amazing entertainment for teens. You can make it at home if your neighbors allow or take them to karaoke rooms at your location.
Roller Skating/Blading - This activity will make any playdate super fun. You can do it inside or outside, depending on the weather and equipment.
Bike Riding - If you have bikes, you can go for a ride together. If not, you can always rent them or ask kids to bring their bikes on a playdate. You may go on a ride and then have a picnic in the park, but it will require more effort from your side to prepare the food.
Hiking is an amazing way to spend the day with teens.
Golf - Kids might not understand the sophistication of adult golf and find it dull. However, plenty of mini-golf opportunities for kids will leave them happy.
Bowling - Another great activity for kids. It is easy, cheap, and can be done indoors during bad weather days.
Escape rooms provide a fun and exciting way to spend playdate. They may be found in most big cities, but you'll need to locate one that is open near you.
Playdate Craft Ideas
Looking for something fun to do on your playdate? Check out these great craft ideas:
1. Finger Painting - Get messy and have fun with finger painting! All you need is some paint and paper.
2. Playdough - Make your own playdough or buy some from the store. Add some loose parts and let the kids have fun creating small worlds.
3. Slime - Kids love slime! You can make it yourself with some simple ingredients or buy it ready-made.
4. Painting Rocks - Collect some rocks from the outside and paint them however you like. You can use acrylic paints or even Sharpies.
3. Paper Plate Crafts - There are tons of different crafts that you can make with paper plates. Paper plate crafts are especially useful when you have little guests on your playdate.
4. Puppets - Make puppets from socks, paper bags, or old clothes. Then put on a puppet show for your friends.
5. Origami - Learn how to make origami animals or other objects. There are tons of great tutorials online. Don't forget to stock up on origami paper. The easiest and one of the most beautiful, in our opinion, are Waldorf window stars.
6. Jewelry Making - Get some beads and string and start making bracelets, necklaces, or other jewelry.
7. Scrapbooking - Have fun creating scrapbooks with friends. Children can use old photos or make new ones; just warn them to bring some photos from home.
Want to get more creative ideas? Read our blog post: "Creative Toys: 30 Incredible Gift Ideas to Spark Creativity in Kids"
Playdate Etiquette
Here are a few things to keep in mind when you're planning a playdate:
1. Make sure the kids are supervised at all times. This is for their safety as well as your peace of mind. However, we encourage parents not to interrupt children's play and not to intervene in minor disagreements. Instead, observe children from a distance.
2. Be respectful of each other's property. Don't let the kids go crazy and destroy everything in sight.
3. Avoid giving the kids too much sugar, as this will lead to a bunch of hyperactive kids who are impossible to deal with.
4. Be flexible with your plans. Things rarely go according to plan when dealing with kids, so be prepared to change things on the fly.
You can find a comprehensive list of playdate rules in our blog post "Playdate Rules: 7 Simple Steps for a Smooth Day of Fun" and even download the free checklist to help you prepare a mind-blowing, stress-free playdate for your kids!
Playdate snack ideas
Any food that can be conveniently served in bite-size forms will do. If you're looking for some excellent playdate snack ideas, these snacks are sure to be a hit with the kids:
1. Veggie sticks and dip - A healthy option that the kids will eat!
2. Fruit kabobs - A fun and colorful way to serve fruit. But do not serve it to younger kids to omit possible injuries from sharp wooden skewers.
3. Popcorn - A classic snack that everyone loves.
4. Sugar-free cookies - A treat that's always a hit with the kids.
5. Pita chips and hummus - Another healthy option that's delicious and easy to eat.
6. Crackers and cheese - A simple snack perfect for munching on.
7. Water bottles - Make sure the kids stay hydrated with some water bottles.
8. Small Turkey and cheese sandwiches - A classic option that's easy to make and easy to eat.
9. Ham and cheese roll-ups - A fun twist on the classic sandwich that's perfect for little hands.
10. Chicken nuggets - A lunchtime favorite that's sure to please.
11. Pizza - An easy option to make yourself or order in.
12. Fruit cups - A refreshing and healthy option that's perfect for a hot day.
13. Yogurt sticks - A healthy and delicious option for a quick lunch.
How to Have a Successful Playdate?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but there are a few things you can do to make sure your playdate is a success:
1. Choose the right location - Pick a place that's convenient for the number of kids you are planning to invite
2. Send playdate invitations - we have a great post with free printable templates to help you with your playdate invitation: "Playdate Invitation: 5 Rules You Must Know + Free Printables!"
3. Think of activities your children will participate in and stock up on materials.
4. Think about when the playdate will take place and choose snacks or plan lunch accordingly.
4. Set rules and expectations before the playdate starts - It's essential to set some ground rules before the playdate begins. This will help keep things running smoothly.
5. Have a backup plan - It's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case things don't go as planned. This could be as simple as having a few extra snacks on hand in case the kids get hungry or having a book to read or a movie ready to watch in case the kids need some downtime.
6. Make sure to ask children to clean up all the toys and materials before the playdate is over - This will help ensure your house is mess-free when everyone departs.
We hope you found these tips helpful!