Five Tips For a Successful Playdate
National Friendship Day is in August, the perfect time to consider hosting a playdate for your little one. Playdates help kids develop social skills, empathy and cultural awareness all while building new friendships.
Let’s dive into some tips on how you can throw a successful and stress-free playdate.
Connect With the Other Parent
When planning a playdate, make sure to connect with the other parents and ask about any particular needs their kids may have. Ask if the child has any allergies or health issues you need to know about. This will help when planning food and activities.
Additionally, ask the parent if they have any restrictions on things like screen time, swimming or trampoline usage. Covering all these topics ahead of time will ensure you can plan a playdate that’s safe and appropriate for all kids involved.
Prep Your Home
If you’re hosting the playdate at your home, be sure to spend some time preparing for the kids. Clean the areas the kids will be playing in and put away any breakable items. Make sure all child-proofing measures are in place so the playdate is as safe as possible.
Secure any pets that may be fearful of unknown strangers or impacted by children to keep them out of the way during the playdate. Put away any special toys your child may not want to share to avoid arguments during the playdate.
Set out a variety of snacks for the kids so they can each find something they like. Finger foods like carrots, pretzels, cut-up fruit and chips are good options for fast snacks.
Plan a Few Different Activities
It’s a good idea to have a range of activities planned in case some fall through due to weather or the children’s interest.
Here are a few playdate activities to try:
Draw pictures with chalk on the sidewalk.
Build an indoor fort and then read a book inside of it to unwind.
Play a board game.
Decorate cookies.
Set up a craft station.
Walk to a local park and hunt for bugs on the way.
Play charades.
Looking for more activities? Check out this list of outdoor activities for Hoosier children.
Designate a Rest Area
Playdates and socializing can become overwhelming for children, especially if they’re scheduled after a long day of daycare or school. Designate a rest and recharge area where the kids can relax if they get overstimulated.
Make this area calming with blankets, pillows and books to read. This relaxation area can help children self-regulate and manage stress. If a child starts seeming overwhelmed or cranky, suggest they spend a few minutes unwinding in the rest area to see if it helps them feel better.
Set a Time Limit
It’s a good idea to keep playdates short, especially if the kids are just starting to get to know each other. One to two hours is enough time for a playdate in most situations.
Give the children time updates so they know when a playdate is coming to an end. Remind them at 15 minutes, 10 minutes and five minutes so they can wind down their play. Try asking kids to help tidy up at the end of the playdate, as this can be a recurring signal that play is coming to an end.
Keeping playdates short will ensure neither you nor the kids burn out, and it will keep them excited to play again next time.
Help Your Child Develop Social Skills
After a playdate is over, ask your child to reflect on the time with their friends by asking how it went and what their favorite activity was. You can also ask for ideas on what to do with their friends next time.
Playdates can be a part of helping your child reach social and emotional developmental milestones. Learn more about developing and recognizing developmental milestones here.