5 Easy Tips for Hosting Perfect Playdates
Inviting your kids’ friends over can feel overwhelming at first but with a little practice, hosting Perfect Playdates becomes second nature. We’ve hosted dozens over the last few years and during that time, I’ve zeroed in on 5 Easy Tips for Planning Perfect Playdates.
Here they are:
Tip 1: Three’s A Crowd
Despite the adorable photo, it’s best to invite just one friend over at a time — at least initially. With groups of three (or more), it’s almost inevitable that someone will end up feeling left out. Then suddenly, instead of enjoying the fact that your kid is blissfully busy for a few hours you’ll find yourself playing referee. Don’t go there. Even if they protest, make them choose just one friend at a time.
Tip 2: Keep it Loose (but also plan)
Sometimes a friend arrives and the kids run off and you don’t hear from them for the next two hours. Some kids just function on the same wavelength and their mutual imagination fuels hours of play with very little input from you. Other kids, not so much.
For that second group, I recommend having a couple of laid-back activities in your back pocket. Instead of specific, structured activities, I like to provide opportunities for open-ended play — things that will spark their imaginations.
For my daughter and her friends, I usually pull out our Kids Made Modern Smarts and Crafts Case. This sucker is so jam-packed with craft treasure, just opening the case has elicited audible gasps from more than a few of her friends.
Depending the age group, Sensory Bins, Play Dough, Lego Classic Sets (I love the sets that encourage open-ended creation) or even a some Baking Soda Science Experiments can be great activities to get the kids excited and keep them busy.
Tip 3: Stock Up On Simple Snacks
I am often horrified amazed by just how much food a couple of ravenous wolves hungry children can eat. Especially if your playdate takes place immediately after school. I know one mom that justifies her Coscto membership primarily to keep her pantry stocked with snacks. I’m pretty sure she has at least 30 bags of Welch’s Fruit Snacks stashed in every bag she owns.
My personal cheap-easy snack-of-choice is air-popped popcorn. It’s easy, affordable and healthy to boot. Even better, I’ve discovered that many kids are unfamiliar with the Air Popper concept and are utterly delighted just watching it pop. Definitely a highlight of more than one of our Perfect Playdates!
Tip 4: Hit the Road
Some of the most Perfect Playdates we’ve ever had have taken place at the park, the zoo, museums or the conservatory. Getting out and about gives the kids something to focus on, keeps everyone engaged and (selfishly) limits the amount of time spent making a gigantic mess in your house.
Tip 5: Keep It Short
For kids younger than 4, no more than 90 minutes. For kids 4-6, two hours is usually plenty. Over 7 you might start thinking about slightly longer playdates or possibly even overnights. But even with older kids, if they’re planning a playdate with a new friend, its probably still best to start with a couple of hours and work your way up to longer.
So thats it. Those are my Five Easy Tips to Hosting Perfect Playdates. What did I miss? What are your top tips for playdate perfection?
Featured Items:
Kid Made Modern Smart Arts Craft Case
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