How to Arrange A Great Playdate
By Natalie Hernandez, eHow Member
User-Submitted Article
Play dates are a great way to have your children interactive with others. Young children and even
babies can benefit from playdates, as well as mothers!
Instructions
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Keep it simple - Consider the age of the children, and only have the amount you can
handle. If there are to many children who want to attend ask one or a couple of the
moms to stay and help. Set up a time limit to what you feel comfortable with. For
children three and under an hour is probably ideal, for older children try two hours.
Consider the time of day - You want to arrange your playdate so it does not interfere
with any of the children's nap times.
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Have fun activities - In case the children become bored you want to have fun activities
arranged. Depending on their age group consider popular games they will enjoy. Here
are a couple suggestions ....
Arts & crafts - Consider fun activity time with arts& crafts for the age group. One most
children will enjoy is making edible necklaces. Start with thin strips of licorice ropes and
supply ringed cereal like fruit loops or Cheerios. Allow them to create their own
necklace and securely tie knots at the end for them, so they can wear their creation.
Yogurt parfaits - Have different flavors of yogurt in bowls, different chopped up fruit,
and granola set up on a table. Supply disposable cups and spoons (for easy clean up)
Allow the children to create their own snack. It is fun and healthy at the same time.
Fishing - Have long thing pretzels, cream cheese and goldfish crackers. Give each
child a pretzel with a dab of cream cheese on the end and allow them to fish for the
crackers.
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Emergency contacts - It is important to be prepared all the time, even if the play date is
just an hour. Exchange contact information with the other moms and always have
emergency contacts available for each child. Better safe then sorry! At the same time
you want to ask about any allergies the children may have.
Ask about rules - Before you have children at your home ask the parent about certain
rules they have. For instance rules about TV, video games, snacks. You want to
respect the parents wishes to make it a good playdate for everyone.
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Sharing - If the play date is at your house make your children aware of the sharing rule.
If there are certain toys they refuse to share have them remove them for now. This will
help any possible melt downs if another child touches that particular toy.
Don't discipline - You don't want to discipline other peoples children. if a child is
throwing a tantrum, or being mean to other children, try to change the task they are
doing or simply state it is a house rule not to do that. You don't want to single the child
out and yell or scream at them. Handle yourself in a dignified matter. Then if it requires
additional attention, talk to the parent at pick up time.
You don't want to be a 'tattletale' but if something was broken, or the child was hitting
others or had a major melt down, then start the conversation with the parent in a
tasteful manner. Start with "We had a little incident" and go on to tell them what
happened.
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Don't over stay your welcome or your child's - When it is your turn to drop of your child,
make sure you are on time for pick-up. You don't want to be the mom ho leaves her
child longer then your supposed to.
Clean up time - When time is coming to a close try arranging a fun clean up routine.
Sing a song about cleaning up which will help get the children involved, or play a
counting game when the children are picking up toys. Making things fun are the best
way to get a child to participate.
If the playdate was not at your house, when you arrive to pick up your child at least
offer to stay and help clean up. Maybe that parent will do the same for you when the
play date is at your house.
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Bring snacks - When the play date is not at your house you may consider helping out
by supplying snacks to the parent for the children.
Manners - Remember to thank the parent when you pickup your child and have your
child do the same. Also remind your child to say please and thank you during the day
when it is appropriate. Your child will stand out since manners seem to be dying in our
world.
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Sick children - When a child arrives obviously sick at the play date to your home. it is
alright to say they can't stay. Consider the other children and your own, you don't want
them all to get sick. Simply say, " I'm sorry but he/she can't stay, I don't want all the
others catching it."
You may feel bad doing so, but trust me, you will win points with the other mothers for
looking out for the children.
Chances -Sometimes there is going to be that one child or even parent you do not
connect with. Just try to give them a second chance regardless of how they were the
first day. We all have our off days and maybe (hopefully) that day just happened to be
that for them. if after the second time things are still the same try to let them down
gently.
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Scheduling Play Dates for Your Children: How
to Schedule, Plan For, and Swap Regular Play
Dates
By Jennifer Wolf, About.com Guide
Play dates are a great way for your children to practice their social skills and gain confidence in their
relational abilities. An added bonus is that regular play dates can also give you a break! If you're
wondering exactly how to get started scheduling play dates with your children's friends, just follow
these easy steps:
1. Brainstorm
Think about who you might like to swap play dates with. Perhaps there is another parent from
your child's class who has children the same age as your own, or maybe there is a neighbor
whose children your kids enjoy spending time with.
2. Do Something Fun Together
Invite this parent and his/her children to meet you at a local McDonald's Playland or another
informal setting. This will allow you to get to know the other parent and see how the kids
interact. If all goes well, you'll be ready to begin planning play dates.
3. Extend an Invitation
Be up front with the other parent. You could say something like, "Bradley really enjoys playing
with Coin, and I was thinking of setting up some play dates. Do you think Colin would like to
come over sometime?" Then schedule a play date at your house for the following week.
4. Timing
Keep the initial play date to about two hours. This is enough time for the kids to have fun, but
not so long that you'll feel overwhelmed.
5. Your Responsibility
It's very important that you stay close by while the kids are playing. If you're not in the same
room, make sure you'll always within earshot. Generally speaking, you don't want to be more
than one room away. Also, make sure you ask the other parent about any food allergies or health
concerns before they drop off their child.
6. Rules
You'll want to establish some ground rules such as "Doors always stay open," and "We only eat in
the kitchen." If the idea is to repeat these play dates regularly, you'll want there to be some
structure and continuity.
7. "We're Bored"
Try to think of some simple activities for the kids, like playing Legos or board games. Try to stay
away from TV or video games during the play date. These are activities your child can engage in
alone, and you want to get the most out of this play date time. If they get really bored, give
them some markers and empty boxes. Making a fort is always great fun! In addition, you can
also offer a simple snack for the kids to share, which can serve as a great distraction from the
idea that "we're bored."
8. Activities for the Host
During play dates, you may find that the kids frequently move around from room to room. This
gives you a great opportunity to straighten up, dust, vacuum, or even sort through a pile of old
mail! You'll be surprised by how much you can get done while your kids are playing peacefully in
the next room.
9. Communicate With the Other Parent
When the other parent comes at the arranged pick-up time, be sure to provide some valuable
feedback about how the play date went. Did the kids get along okay? What did they do? Is there
something positive you can share about how the kids spent their time together?
10. Think Ahead to Next Time
If you feel the play date went well and you'd like to do it again, let the parent know. You could
say, "This went so well, I was wondering if you'd like to do it again. Maybe we can even swap
play dates on a regular basis."