https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:54:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2818256 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 19:04:27 +0000 irene 2818256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Hahahaha! I laughed out loud reading what you said, I bet you are right! @Silva: I also agree it feels like dad will drop off. It will be insane for a dad to stay at a playdate for 3 hours.</p> <p>Thank you all -- All is settled! I replied a short and sweet reply, got dad's cell just in case, and we are on! :-) Wish me luck they are not going to tear down my house. I do wish I offer a 2 hour window instead of 3, but we'll see. There are always excuses (of a shorter play date) when we get closer :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2818140 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 08:47:02 +0000 yin 2818140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kids are great at entertaining themselves. When LO has a play date, I just let him take the lead. No need to worry about toys or activities. Usually they just run around and use their imagination. Doesn't take much. Sometimes they go outside, but the weather here hasn't been great lately. Outdoor play also doesn't require much space. LO plays with our neighbor across the street, and they mostly just run back and forth in the front yard. </p> <p>My son is 7, and 2 hours seems to be enough play time. I usually schedule for before lunch or immediately after lunch and provide a healthy snack (fruit... which some kids hate but it's allergy friendly and healthy). I offer water in case parents are not keen on juice.</p> <p>I've had parents come over and sit down to chat and others who simply drop off. Siblings do not come over, unless specifically invited (although this does not apply to birthday parties... the whole family usually shows up). At this age, parents usually just drop off. Just make sure to have the parent's phone number in case you need to contact them.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2818126 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 07:35:24 +0000 Foodnerd81 2818126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: maybe SHE picked a date she would be away so she didn’t have to worry about the awkwardness of should I stay or drop off :silly: </p> <p>I have found for my LO (who is 4.5 so younger than yours), the novelty of having a new friend over is enough, no extra entertainment needed. She does great the first time, it’s when we have regular friends that she sees all the time that she has problems (fighting, not sharing, tantrums...). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2818121 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 07:12:31 +0000 Silva 2818121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: my assumption based on that is that Dad is just dropping him off. I really wouldn’t stress planning activities. Just have some snacks on hand. They might need help getting started but a simple suggestion like “oh, did you show him your legos” or whtever will suffice </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2818117 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 06:49:13 +0000 irene 2818117@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: @Mrs. Smoothie: @looch: @anothermom: @Foodnerd81: @Hypatia: @Becky: </p> <p>Thank you all for your suggestions! So I emailed and set a date. Mom picked a date that works but she's going to be out of town and "her husband will take him". Hmm. should I even worry to confirm if he's planning to drop off /staying/or bringing the siblings and such? Just want to make sure I have things to entertain. I guess I am overthinking it... Gosh, how can this be more difficult than asking someone out lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817686 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 14:08:18 +0000 Mrs. Smoothie 2817686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We run into this often because there are five, first grade classrooms, so we meet new kids each year. For a first playdate, I usually suggest we meet out in the community first instead of the house: roller skating, the park, even gross McDonald's for coffee and to let the kids play. That way we get to know each other. </p> <p>For playdates at our house, I don't cook but have the usual snacks around to offer: crackers, apples, veggies, trail mix, - and I ask about allergies first. If they want to stay with their kiddo at our, then we usually chat about what's happening in the community: kids' sport, art classes, camps, the usual.</p> <p>I wouldn't worry about the older girls - new toys at someone else's house are always fun. You can also have some craft stuff out for all the kids. Just paper, markers, sticker type a thing, you don't have to go full Pinterest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817671 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 09:21:56 +0000 looch 2817671@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: My son does the same type of thing, he organizes with his friends and it's up to us to execute.</p> <p>So typically, I invite the parent over to stay for the first time, just so I can get a sense of what their style is. As for activities, i don't really organize anything specific, but I feel like an art project might go over well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817661 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 07:21:08 +0000 Shantuck 2817661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The trend for our kindergartener has been drop off play dates. I’d probably offer to have their kid over for two hours on a weekend as a drop off thing. Maybe tell the mom she’s welcome to stop by for coffee before she heads out. I’ve also done meet-ups with my son’s friends and parents at local museums or play spaces if you would rather do a neutral space rather than hosting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817658 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 07:01:16 +0000 anothermom 2817658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have the friend over for about an hour one day after school and see how it goes. Maybe offer some fruit or crackers. And let the mom decide whether to drop off or stay depending on her comfort level. Email or text is fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817637 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:28:20 +0000 Silva 2817637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: email is great! Have fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817636 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:15:58 +0000 Foodnerd81 2817636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids are younger but I’m just jumping in to say it’s definitely fine to do no meal- offering a snack is nice enough. My daughter is 4.5 and we just had her first drop off play date (one at the friends house then one here) but I’m fairly friendly with the mom from drop off and pick up and other school stuff. I think email is an appropriate way to contact her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817628 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 20:36:10 +0000 irene 2817628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: @Silva: @Becky: Thank you so much ! Hmm. since I never accidentally bump into the mom, should I send her an email ? (we do have the mom's emails) I am such an idiot when it comes to these things lol</p> <p>And @Becky: I am super awkward about that too! I click with a few moms, but with this one I don't think we have much in common to carry on a conversation.... I could be wrong though... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817627 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 20:25:11 +0000 Becky 2817627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would only invite the friend, and extend the invite like the others said (leaving it open for the Mom to stay or not). I would never bring my younger daughter to her sister’s play date without an invite. Also, I wouldn’t treat a play date with a girl any differently than with a boy. I think you’re pretty well set, what with them having it all planned out (very cute). The first play date is of course a getting to know you experience for you and the friends Mom if she stays which I’m super awkward at but you get through it, but at least in our experience we’ve never had to think of things for the kids to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817623 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 20:09:08 +0000 Silva 2817623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just invite your son's friend. I'd suspect they will entertain themselves, to be honest. Its the delightful thing about playdates past a certain age. My daughter is just barely 5 and when her friends come over I do occasional refereeing, occasionally suggest an activity (do you guys want help to set up a board game? oh, did you show her your legos?), and feed them.<br /> I'd just get in touch with the mom, and say "hi! our boys want to play! would you like to bring him over at such and such a time? You are welcome to stay or drop him off, whatever you are comfortable with."</p> <p>Don't over think it! Your son will have a blast and if they become regular playdates, its a nice way for you to get a break! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817622 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 20:04:36 +0000 Hypatia 2817622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's not mean to only invite the boy! I don't think it makes sense to invite two siblings your son has never met. And lots of parents with that dynamic would love to have their youngest and only boy have some one-on-one time with another boy without sister interference.</p> <p>I would start with just a few hours in the afternoon (say, 1 - 4) and only include a snack (make sure to specify that he could come over "after he eats lunch and then go home for dinner" so she knows you won't be feeding him). I would give the mom the option to either drop him off or come over (even if she doesn't really know you, she may not be interested in hanging out and might be fine with dropping her son off). </p> <p>Or if you wanted to go a more neutral route, you could set up the play date at a local park. That way you could observe their interaction before inviting him into your home (let's face it, some kids are wild and destructive). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-with-a-classmate-tips-and-ideas#post-2817616 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 19:47:28 +0000 irene 2817616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS (6 yo) has been asking to have a play date with a specific classmate repeatedly these few days. They decided all the details, that they are going to come to our house, and his friend has already asked his mom and his mom said yes. Gosh these kindergarteners.</p> <p>Here is my dilemma: I barely know which child he is talking about and I don’t know their parents (I met his mom 1-2 times briefly, and unfortunately we don’t seem to have much to talk about). We dont have a big yard like most of DS’s friends does, and it makes me a bit self conscious. I know they have 3 kids. We only have one boy and they have 2 older girls and one boy (DS’s friend). We have no toys that a girl maybe interested in. We do have a ton of Legos and a pretty decent playroom. And we have some board games.</p> <p>If we were to invite them over, what would you suggest we should do? Do we make lunch? Or dinner? That would be really stressful for Us as then I have to figure out their dietary restrictions and what do they like to eat...etc. Or should it be strictly a few hours of play time in the afternoon and kick them out? 😅 Or do I only invite the mom and my son’s friend (it seems a bit mean)? Any other tips? Since I barely know them I don’t imagine I can offer for them to drop their DS off.</p> <p>I didn’t grow up in the US, and my mom never made play dates for me with my friends that she didn’t already know so this is very new to me. Have you hosted a play date with “strangers” and what did you guys do, and how did it go? Or if you think you have ideas to go out it will be great too, just that they have already decided they want to come to my house :meh: Any tips or experience share is very welcomed. Thank you so much in advance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867658 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:08:02 +0000 Freckles 867658@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would appreciate the call, but i would rather call and say that i wanted to cancel because LO had a runny nose/cough, and let HER say, "oh a runny nose is fine. let's still have the play date." It's less awkward for her so she isn't the one who has to cancel.</p> <p>LO also once got sick because one of the moms in my group brought her chest coughing son out, who was coughing all over my LO. I was not happy as both of us were sick the next day.</p> <p>Also, daycare's standards are a bit different and usually only relate to fever/diarrhea/vomiting. You can still send your kid to daycare if he/she has a cold. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867599 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:50:26 +0000 banana 867599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely think you should let her know. I always make sure to let anyone know if either of my kids show any symptoms of illness, even super mild ones. I'd definitely appreciate the same in return so I'd definitely let her know and then let her make the call. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867579 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:43:56 +0000 Andrea 867579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would let her know and make the call. </p> <p>Personally, I would cancel if someone told me their LO had a runny nose and cough. Two kids with runny noses came over one time and my LO got sick immediately. The mom was chasing them around with a box of tissues the whole time. I may have gotten sick, too. I was not pleased! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867459 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:05:49 +0000 MaisyMay 867459@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think you absolutely need to let her know. She may want to postpone or she may be okay with it. Either way, letting her know would be the polite thing to do. I guess the standard that I use is would I want to know? Hope this helps :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867307 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:12:20 +0000 honeybear 867307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would also let her know and let her decide. My tolerance for runny noses and coughing is really low. I apply this rule to our family as well--LO stays home if he's exhibiting signs of illness. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867278 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:55:20 +0000 Weagle 867278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mewtill: It definitely can! Typically, if LO's snot is clear and not constantly running (like, I can wipe every 30-45 minutes) it's due to teething. Any color or heavy snot is usually due to a cold. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867201 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:34:13 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 867201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Weagle: can teething give a runny nose? I'm pretty sure the cough is from drainage, but he's also teething. I know nothing about this :)</p> <p>Thanks for your input - I felt really clueless, it's our first play date. I'll text her definitely! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867158 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:24:09 +0000 Weagle 867158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would let her know and let her decide. I'm hosting playgroup today, and I really appreciate it when parents ask. Plus, my own kid has a runny nose (teething) and a cough due to the drainage. I know she's not contagious, but I would certainly ask the hostess if it weren't me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867131 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:18:55 +0000 Bao 867131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would give a heads up and let her decide what she wants to do. I personally wouldn't want a coughing little one around mine, but I'm a little germ crazy ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867125 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:17:36 +0000 regberadaisy 867125@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mewtill: I would let her know and let her make the call. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867122 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:16:15 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 867122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's what I thought. Do I need to outright cancel or should I just say "hey he's been coughing."?. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867116 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:13:07 +0000 Adira 867116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, I'd give her a head's up. Just let her know that he's getting over a cold and had a runny nose and a cough but that you don't think he's contagious anymore, but you'd understand if she wanted to cancel, just to be on the safe side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867112 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:12:11 +0000 hellobeeboston 867112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would give a heads up, definitely nice to hear before the kids get together - me and my friends always tell each other if our little one's are sick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/play-date-etiquette#post-867099 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:05:51 +0000 regberadaisy 867099@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would def let her know bc of the cough. A runny nose I have no issues but a cough could be something else. I know I would appreciate the heads up! </p>