Making Playdates fun for Young Kids 

Playdates can be so much fun for young kids. They are also a very helpful way for children to work on social skills, play skills, and verbal skills. Playdates can also be a much-needed break for moms, dads, and caregivers too! However, playdates can also be a bit stressful and overwhelming for both kids and parents. Here are a dozen playdate tips I try to use during our playdates! Keep in mind that your child is continually learning and developing new social skills. It’s your job to help guide him to work out how he uses them! These successful playdate tips will help to set up a successful playdate. Practice makes perfect.

Successful Playdate #1: Setting the Stage before the playdate begins!

Before your scheduled playdate starts, sit down and talk quietly with your child about what he  can do to make his  friend feel welcome. Also see if there are some special toys that your child would like to remove so sharing isn’t an issue. My son has a special bear that he would prefer none else holds, and that’s okay if you put it away!

Successful Playdate #2: Best Time for a Playdate

Host a playdate after a meal time. This way kids are fed and properly fueled for play time! However, make sure to have a simple, non-messy snack available! Playing uses energy and kids low on energy can get cranky!

Successful Playdate #3: Pre playdate clean up

Pick up a bit before friends come over. If all the toys are all out everywhere, it can be confusing, overwhelming, and frustrating for kids. Picking up beforehand also signals to kids that toys don’t just get dumped and left everywhere in your house.

Successful Playdate #4: Toys and more toys!

Do all toys need to be out? If there are toys or games that you feel would be better used under supervision, put them out of reach. If they request these toys, have them come over to the table to use them. There’s nothing like finding a million tiny Lego pieces everywhere that used to be a helicopter or a monopoly game strewn around the room just because someone wanted to see what was inside!

 Successful Playdate #5: Snack time

Call snack time if the kids are starting to get whiny, crabby, argumentative or frustrated, When blood sugar gets low and kids get cranky, a simple snack and drink can perk everyone up. Use this as a time to suggest activities, resolve differences, or give your child one on one attention and praise for doing a great job as a guest or a host!

Successful Playdate #6: Check in!

Check in with your child every once in a while. My son doesn’t always want to stop for the bathroom!  I can see him bouncing around. Take him aside and see what’s going on! Also make sure your child is having fun and/or is allowing other children to have fun. Some children are not as outspoken and some are overbearing. make sure everyone is being heard!

Successful Playdate #7: Get moving

If possible, get them moving inside or outside for just a bit. Simply blowing up balloons can make a great low stress, active activity for kids. This is also great if the kids are having hard time cooperating or choosing activities to play together! Balloons always make everything better!

Successful Playdate #8: Choosing activities

If your children are beyond parallel play but not quite set in playing well together, suggest taking turns picking activities. Set a timer if necessary. Encourage your child to be a good friend and enjoy playing with his friend with what his friend enjoys playing with too. Remember to have a good friend is to be a good friend.

Successful Playdate #9: Group activity

Encourage {not demand} an activity  everyone can join in like a board game, a simple sensory activity or science experiment! check out one of these easy sensory recipes to make at home. We have also enjoyed a messy playdate and a slime play date!. Our 25 Kid’s STEM activities include some easy ideas to try!

Successful Playdate #10: Clean Up Time

10-15 Minutes before pay date ends, call a clean up time where everyone works together. It’s a great transition to ending the playdate. It also shows both the host and guests that it is important to help clean up no matter where the playdate is held.

Successful Playdate #11: Transition to leaving time

Additionally, use the 10-15 minutes of clean up time to prep your child verbally for leaving once the toys are cleaned up. Talk about what fun you had and how you can’t wait to do it again. Give both children an idea of what the next activity is such as stopping at the store or making dinner.

Successful Playdate #12: Enjoy it!

Above all, give your children space to play, work out differences, learn independence and enjoy making decisions! Step in when necessary but don’t hover!

Again practice makes perfect with these playdate tips for both kids and adults! The more social opportunities your child has for playdates, the easier they will become. I don’t always get it right, believe me! Try even just a few of theses playdate tips for a calmer, happier playdate!

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