https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:47:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2577747 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:57:35 +0000 Orchid 2577747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@daniellemybelle: i love that idea! Even a toy car wash would be fun. I think I might do that for my son when he wakes up from nap today. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2577746 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:56:37 +0000 Orchid 2577746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@magnoliamama42: I think I'll have a bubbles station then. We have stuff to make giant bubbles and a bubble machine. I do have a sprinkler and pool too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2577745 Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:54:56 +0000 Orchid 2577745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLonghorn: thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2577135 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:28:00 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2577135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is younger, but we host a monthly "no-prep playgroup" for a group ranging from 6 months to 4 years.<br /> The rules are that I don't worry about cleaning my house or finding a pinterest craft, and you don't have to worry about getting dressed up. In the morning, DH runs out to get bagels and coffee, and everyone just shows up whenever fits their schedule (within a 2.5 hour window) in yoga pants and pony tails. Then, we hang out and drink coffee while the kids run around in the yard and play. </p> <p>The only reason it works for us is that I'm adamant about "no prep". I usually walk through the house the night before and pick up a tiny bit, but that's it. If it required more work, I wouldn't do it. We've been doing this for nearly a year, and the kids all seem to have fun -- simply being at a new house with different toys appears to be enough.</p> <p>ETA: when it is hot, I tell the other moms to bring a change of clothes since we'll have water play. I would recommend that if you do the laundry activity (which sounds really awesome, just like a lot of work!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2577126 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:15:46 +0000 daniellemybelle 2577126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That sounds like a lot of fun! I've been to playdates both ways - a planned activity or just pull the toys out and referree :) I wouldn't do anything that requires a lot of set up on your part because you never know if the kids will go for it and that would be a downer if it were a flop. </p> <p>I've been thinking about doing a "car wash" just with LO though. She has a car we push her in, her tricycle, her scooter... I was thinking of filling up a bucket with soapy water and having her wash those. Might be easier than clothes, clothespins, clotheslines, etc.? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576805 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:41:28 +0000 magnoliamama42 2576805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: I think your idea is really cute. I would probably skip the soap, though, just to avoid the mess. (and maybe the spray bottles, to avoid mamas having to intervene :happy: )</p> <p> You can integrate @Maysprout's idea, too, by doing "stations" so they're not on top of each other. Like, one station would be the basin and scrub brushes, with maybe some toys that can get wet. And another would be the line, with clothes and pins. Since they're already getting wet, a baby pool or sprinkler might be a good idea, too.</p> <p>No way would they be bored with all that!</p> <p>You may want to have some cold snacks (popsicles?) on hand, since you'll mainly be outside. And mentally prepare yourself for everyone preferring to stay inside if it's just too hot. (Maybe have crayons and paper available just in case.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576779 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:29:22 +0000 Mamaof2 2576779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: I think it sounds like fun and if she is a germaphobe then playing with soap sounds perfect for her :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576773 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:27:29 +0000 edelweiss 2576773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: oh, in that case, i think water play is a great idea! some other ideas are sprinkler, water table, bubbles... just prep the other family by letting them know that they should bring swim diapers, an extra set of clothes or swim clothes, towels and sunscreen (unless you'll be providing those)...and have a backup plan in case it rains! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576766 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 10:22:40 +0000 Orchid 2576766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: @edelweiss: @Maysprout: we don't have a lot of toys! And I am nervous they'll be bored. And I kinda want them outside so the baby can sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576700 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:39:42 +0000 looch 2576700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With 2 and 4 year olds, I think the main thing is going to be that you're not going to just sit back and chat with the other moms, unless the kids are always together and it's not a big deal. I know there is no way I could have trusted my 4 year old to play nicely with 2 year olds!</p> <p>So, I would do something where all the moms and kids can participate, so I love the idea of the laundry station, just tell the moms to bring the kids a change of clothes because there will be water play! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576697 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:34:18 +0000 Maysprout 2576697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds fun but I agree messy with the hose. Most play dates I've gone to aren't very organized. The most I'll do is set up stations in the house or the yard. So I might set out a few blankets with dress up clothes at one, blocks at another, balls and games at another, stomp rocket in the middle. Mainly so when there's lots of kids they gravitate towards those and don't rip every toy off the shelf. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576696 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:34:01 +0000 edelweiss 2576696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>that sounds really cute and fun, although i totally don't think you need to have a theme or special activity. just have them come over and play with the regular toys, have snacks on hand, and get some adult conversation in! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576694 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:32:45 +0000 mediagirl 2576694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have a blow-up pool? I like @youboots idea to brew some coffee, then go outside and let the kids play. If no pool, take some balls or other toys out onto the patio. They don't need anything structured. If it's hot, stay inside and let them play with your LO's toys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576691 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:30:09 +0000 Mrsbells 2576691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: yes I meant the kids getting messy and their parents having to deal with that. LO i s4 and has been on tons of play dates and the kids either play indoors or outdoors with basic things like bricks, blocks , crayons and paper. The fun of the play date is getting to play together rather than the actual activity </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576689 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:27:44 +0000 Orchid 2576689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: it would be outside, but the kids would get wet, so that's a good point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576688 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:27:38 +0000 catomd00 2576688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: that would stress me out! Maybe it depends on the social circle, but we usually just let the kids do whatever while the moms hang out - we usually have coffee or mimosas or wine depending on time of day and some snacks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576687 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:25:36 +0000 Orchid 2576687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: lol. I thought that's what you had to do? It's my first ever, so I may have the concept all wrong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576686 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:25:12 +0000 Bao 2576686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds fun to me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576685 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:25:08 +0000 Mrsbells 2576685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Orchid: it sounds messy to me. The parents might not want to deal with that. I dont think the play date needs a theme or set activities. Kids will occupy themselves with any basic toys you have </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576684 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:24:46 +0000 catomd00 2576684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like a good idea, albeit messy with water. Is this a thing though? Planned activities for a play date? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576682 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:23:00 +0000 youboots 2576682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly I just brew a pot of coffee and visit with my mom friend. Sounds like a lot of work. I'd skip anything that involves water. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hosting-my-first-play-date-does-this-sound-fun#post-2576677 Tue, 28 Jun 2016 09:20:54 +0000 Orchid 2576677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm hosting my first ever play date. There will be 2 two-year olds and a four year old. The guests coming to our house are very concerned about germs, so a lot of what I would want to do wouldn't work. I stumbled on this idea on pinterest and it seems like good clean (no germs) sensory fun. </p> <p>Do you think the kids would enjoy a laundry day themed sensor play? I would set up a kiddie height clothes line and offer basins, soap, access to the hose, clothes pins, scrub brushes, spray bottles and baby clothes my newborn has outgrown. </p> <p>What else would be fun? Would this even get the kids playing? </p>