Over the Top? 7 Moms Take Playdates to a New Level
Playdates or "mom dates" as I call them become part of our weekly or even daily routine once we have kids. We want them to interact with others after spending every breathing moment on or next to you. Besides, we need some time too - to get out, share a cuppa with a fellow mama and swap spit up stories and indulge in actual adult conversations.
You might meet at the park to let the kids go wild, brave a group of kids at your own place or you meet at a local kid friendly café (I haven't come across too many in the US, but in London my local Starbucks had a play area and they even made babyccinos). You catch my drift. But then you realize that just letting the kids sit next to each other isn't enough and you take your playdates to a whole new level. You send out Evites, you require RSVPs, you buy snacks and drinks and have an agenda, you may even ask for a donation. I've experienced it all as the playdate guest - I call it it the ULTIMATE PLAYDATE.
I prefer the "laissez-faire" approach, with coffee and gossip for us mamas, but I suppose a bit of organized fun wouldn't be so bad.
Seven moms from both the US and UK share their unique playdate ideas - for babies to toddlers:
1. Let's paint!
"We like painting play dates. I just busy really cheap small photo frames or from charity shops then we do colourful hand and footprints. When they're dry we put them in frames. They make lovely keepsakes or family gifts and the children love getting messy!" Leanne, Second Time Mummy
Related: 10 ways to make your playdate go off without a hitch
2. Chalk it up
"I like to get a cheap packet of chalks and let the kids graffiti outside!! Proper old fashioned fun!" Sophie, Super Amazing Mum
3. Water, water, and more water!
"In the summer it's got to be water play. Get the paddling pool out, let the children fill it (whilst spraying everyone!) And then give them lots of different toys and things to play with (watering can, paint brush for water painting, colander, boats etc). Endless fun!" Alex, Medicated Follower of Fashion
4. Staring contests
"My daughter is only 3 months old so playdates are more for us mommies at this point, but It's fun to put the little ones on their bellies or backs side-by-side and encourage them to look at each other. My daughter loves it almost as much as looking in a mirror!" Kaitlyn, Naturally Chic Life
5. Imaginative play
"I just leave the kids to it… left to their own devices their imaginations take them on all sorts of amazing adventures. Depending on their mood, they'll play "mummies and babies", "doggies and owners", magic flower fairies, etc. When I try and guide the playdate, they get overexcited and whiny. When I fade into the background it's magical. Makes me think - my best memories growing up involved me, my brother and friends…no parents in sight." Janis, Really Kid Friendly
6. Tea parties with treats
"We love mini-treat making tea parties. Mini whoopie pies, donuts, cake pops - anything with sprinkles! Then we dress up and bring out all of the tiny china and tiny table linens. So fun!" Meg, Inside the Mom
7. Organized playroom
"My sister-in-law has made her dining room into a playroom with all of my nephew's toys. On Friday nights around 7:00 pm she invites us to bring our babies and just hang out. The kids have fun and wear themselves out." Alba, Independent Mami
As I mentioned, I prefer to let them do their thing - follow each other around, explore their new environment together and if all that fails, I bring out the BUBBLES!
Works. Every. Time.
What do you think? Are you a more of an organized playdate or a laissez-faire playdate mama?
- By Maria José Ovalle
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