12 Tips For A Successful Playdate

Today’s post is brought to you by 5-hour ENERGY®  and #CollectiveBias. Read on the find out how a little planning can make a playdate successful for both the kids & the parents! #ThisIsMySecret 

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 

When I was a kid, playdates were not “a thing.” We went outside during the day, played with the kids in the neighborhood, rode our bikes, jumped rope, and then when the street lights turned on we went inside. Does that sound about right to you? Well, things are different these days. There are mom’s groups and pre-school classes, park playdates and music class – today kids have so many activities it’s hard to keep track! But the programs can be beneficial for them to learn how to socialize and get along with other kids. More often than not they also lead to at home playdates, which can be a great thing if planned well. But before you invite the entire art class over, here are a few things you need to know:

Let your child choose the guest. Just because you and another mom are BFFs during dance class, doesn’t mean your kids get along. Personality differences can make a potentially great playdate turn bad instantly. Be sure to talk to your child before planning, or accepting an invitation to a playdate.

Get the info before the playdate. Once you’ve agreed to a playdate, be sure to take down the parent and child’s information. If you frequently have children over, you can use this Playdate Info Sheet to help you keep track of who has food allergies, who lives close, who likes to play dress up, etc. This will help you plan activities and snacks accordingly for future playdates.

Invite the parent to stay. Some parents are okay leaving their child at someone else’s house, others may want to stick around to make sure all goes well. Give the parent the choice, and be sure to have coffee or snacks for the both of you if she does decide to stay.

Set an end time. Be sure to communicate well with the other parent. If they do decide to leave, let them know when to return to pick up their child. In my experience 2 hours is usually the perfect time for kids to play.

Prepare yourself. Playdates can be fun for the kids, but it can be stressful for you. I have 5-hour ENERGY® shots handy in the kitchen cupboard to keep me alert and attentive for the kids. It has zero sugar, carbs or herbal stimulants, and contains a blend of B-vitamins, amino acids, and essential nutrients. It’s my secret to staying on my toes with three kids who like to wake up bright and early everyday!

Stick to one friend at a time. Inviting more than one friend over at the same time will not only create more chaos for you, but it will also create too many hands in the pot. There will likely be more arguing over what to do/what to play with so many opinions in the house.

Do not send toys on a playdate. Kids will always want to bring along their favorite, favorite toy to show their friend. But this may cause more harm than good. Your child may forget the toy, or it may get ruined during the playdate. It’s best to just leave your toys at home.

Keep the child’s belongings in one place. It never fails that when the playdate is over, shoes are lost or a sweater is missing and it’s a mad dash to try and find them. I bought these buckets are a local discount store for $1.50 each. We keep them by the front door so each child can store their belongings in one place.

Silence is not golden. When your child has a playdate and it seems that they are playing nicely in the living, you might think that this would be a good time to get a few things done around the house. But remember that the rules of your house may not be the same as the friends’ and they may be getting into trouble! Check on the pair often to make sure things are going well.

Have snacks available. Before I send my daughter to playdates, I always make sure she is fed and also send snacks in her backpack, but sometimes parents don’t remember to do this. Be sure to have a variety of snacks on hand to offer your guest. Also, be sure to ask the parent before the playdate if their child has any food allergies.

End the playdate on a happy note. About 10-15 minutes before the playdate ends, round up the kids and make sure all of your guests belongings are in order.  Then have a quick and quiet activity planned, such as reading a book, so that when the parents come to pick up the goodbye will be a smooth transition.

Playdates are optional. Your kids can still learn and develop social skills without having other kids at your home to play. If having another child in your home makes you uncomfortable, it’s okay to say no. Never feel that you have to accept, or offer, an invitation for a playdate.

As I mentioned above, I always have 5-hour ENERGY® shots on hand when hosting a playdate to make sure I am ready to tackle all the chaos that the kids can hand me! I like how these energy shots can give me a boost without a sugar crash later in the day. My husband loves them too, he works all hours of the day, and sometimes nights too. The energy shots are convenient to keep in his tool box and give him the energy he needs to keep the project running smoothly!

My favorite is the Berry flavor, my husband prefers the Pomegranate. I usually buy my 5-hour ENERGY® shots at my local CVS  in the vitamin aisle and right now they are having a Buy One Get One 50% off sale on the 6-pack of 5-hour ENERGY® shots, so we can both get the flavors we like!

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