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Play Date Preparation

With the weather cold and rainy here, attention is turning indoors when it comes to playing with little friends. Instead of meeting at a park or the beach, play dates at home are a back on the agenda. Yesterday Immy had a friend over to play. Well really, I had a friend over for tea and a chat and Immy got to play with her mate! I set up a few very simple activities for the children before our guests arrived. Fresh, homemade playdough for two (recipe here) …

A refresh of the art table with some independent use, low mess options

A BIG sheet of cardboard and the oil pastels on the floor (as Immy had enjoyed this activity herself the day before)

A game of indoor soccer

A wipe down of the chalk board and some favourite books displayed

and setting up a little farm on the big mat in the playroom. Our treehouse, home corner and the doll house were also put to good use and the other playroom toys were also available on their shelves but I like to take a few moments to set up an invitation or two to capture the interest of the children though invariably they end up taking the play in their own direction. Which is just as it should be 🙂

How do you prepare for a play date?

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Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.

Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Meek says

    Will is sitting on my lap as we read this post and he is all excited. he said 'hey i play there, and there and there. look mummy!" :)

  2. Mandy says

    Wow, I will usually schedule one craft activity of some sort. Your efforts are fantastic. You would be a popular friend to have.

  4. Super Sarah says

    Wonderful! I take care of a friend's little boy on a Thursday and I always set up some sort of activity corner to amuse the children while I am rushing to get bags packed for preschool and the breakfast stuff cleared away. This morning it was a little play kitchen station with the plastic food, play oven, mixer and sorting eggs. I find it helps children to have some structure in their play choices rather than just throwing open the playroom door and releasing them which often leads to arguments over the toys!

  5. Yelena says

    That's a really awesome setup. Makes me want to come over for a playdate. We occasionally host playdates, but I usually don't do much in terms of preparation for them. Usually it's just getting the place cleaned up and baby-proof (if a playmate is under 3). We also put "very special toys" away and the rest is to be shared freely. My son is into Star Wars right now and so are most of his pals. So playdoh and paint sit ignored and books of Star Wars removable stickers and a few light sabers are what the kids use the most. I also set out blocks and various recyclable items so they can build Star Wars-scapes in between light saber battles :)

  6. Nadia says

    love it all! is that farm fence home made or bought? i cannot find any fences anywhere :-(

    • Christie Burnett says

      Hi Nadia, I actually bought it ages ago as part of a cloth farm set, not sure which brand it is. I think you could make something similar with fabric and pipe cleaners to give it substance.

  7. Karlotta says

    Wow, you do so many things. I usually set up a craft, a playdough area and a few toys. I belong to a group of moms and our play dates usually have 8-12 kids but I am finding that my 26 month old doesn't seem to enjoy them and I am wondering if they are worth attending/having. All the moms switch off on hosting and my kid never wants to go or to have them over. I enjoy the conversation but it's obvious my kid isn't really having a good time and usually just sits and watches the other kids.

  8. mermaid says

    Love your setup! It really invites you to go and play! My daughter is six already and I don`t have to do anything... she does it all. (Well I clean the house :D ) We are going to have a playdate today and my daughter has organized everything already.. big blue sheet of paper and soft pastels for "under the water drawing", then white paper and felt tip pens for drawing some more fish, dressing up game in her bedroom and preps for the show... and finally the show for mums! Can`t wait :)

  9. nellbe says

    My gorgeous boy also was with me when I read your post and he also wants to come over for a play date. He was a bit sad when I told him where you lived. (we are in Melbourne).

  11. Jennifer Perkins says

    I don't typically do much set up for a play date besides make sure I have snacks on hand. However, after looking at this I will have something fun in the future. When I get together with my larger mommy group and there are lot's of us we usually have some sort of activity for the kids.

  12. Captain Crafty says

    I usually get all the kids to help me make berry muffins and then we all eat them! Cooking with several kids can be a wild mish mosh! You gave me a good idea, perhaps I will make play dough with them next time - then I can let them each pick a color to make!

  13. lisa says

    Yes I do set up play areas when friends come to play, I find the kids are kept occupied and interested, sometimes it might be something completely 'new' to the visiting child/ren and the visiting parent usually appreciates the thought thats gone into it. Kids not so much getting up to mischief because they're bored!

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