https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 17:50:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2299588 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 14:53:06 +0000 jedeve 2299588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The park! Or going on a walk together. No need to clean house or worry about you fights. Kids aren't cooped up together (I think it can be tough on very young kids who aren't sure why another kid is here playing with their toys.) Also the park can be boring by yourself, it's nice to have someone to talk to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298899 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 06:38:56 +0000 travelgirl1 2298899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do play dates very regularly as I stay home and honestly, we all put very little effort I to it in terms of organisation. Usually we meet somewhere like a museum or park, we all bring our own snacks for the kids and the mums sometimes buy lunch. And we always have a great time! Occasionally it's at someone's house, but very rarely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298875 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 05:12:32 +0000 Mama Bird 2298875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: yeah, the toy fights! This is why I like play dates outside better. It doesn't even help to put away favorite toys... I've seen DS fight (with his best friends!) over a broken beach bucket, a book none of them want to read, and a deflated balloon. Just because.</p> <p>It's true it's easier to relax and not watch the kids all the time at home though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298838 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 00:02:24 +0000 sometimesshesings 2298838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I'm with you! I'd much rather hang out in a home where we're not having to run around after our kids and the adults can actually chat a bit. Mimosas (or even coffee) would definitely be a nice bonus! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298514 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 15:15:51 +0000 jh524 2298514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: lol that's a great idea!!! All the mommies will be running to my play dates if they know there's gonna be wine and margaritas:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298503 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 15:09:57 +0000 Reese 2298503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298389 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 13:46:31 +0000 daniellemybelle 2298389@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been to a couple playdates with mimosas and I definitely couldn't complain about that :happy: </p> <p>My favorite playdates are not at someone's home. The children's museum, the playground, the splash pad, etc. etc. Everyone brings their own snacks and if appropriate some chalk, bubbles, balls, etc. to share. I feel like there is less fighting and possessiveness because toys don't belong to anyone. The environment is stimulating and engaging enough that the kids stay occupied so the moms can chat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298290 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:47:22 +0000 travelgirl1 2298290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: :happy: 🍼 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298284 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:41:09 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2298284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298281 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:40:39 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2298281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travelgirl1: because I'm pregnant all the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298278 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:39:59 +0000 travelgirl1 2298278@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: ha ha! Why have we not had a play date like that ever???? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298246 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 12:22:53 +0000 Truth Bombs 2298246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: Finally. Someone said what I've been thinking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298188 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 11:34:48 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2298188@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2298166 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 11:10:19 +0000 looch 2298166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: yes, this exactly. I prefer to do playdates at a different location than home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2297988 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 09:14:03 +0000 jh524 2297988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@abbydabbydoodlebug: ooh good idea with the kiddie music!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2297859 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 08:11:46 +0000 Foodnerd81 2297859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: good to know! My only friend with a 3 year old has a runner so she is constantly having to move around to at least watch her. My 2 year old isn't a running but still can't quite be trusted by herself on certain ladders and stuff. So we hardly got to really catch up, but when she came here where it's baby proofed we could talk. But her kid is really wild at playgrounds! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2297853 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 08:07:37 +0000 hilsy85 2297853@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have never done or been to a themed playdate! That seems like so much work! I agree that the best playdates are the ones where the moms and I get to chat :) I also try to put away controversial/favorite toys that LO will get upset or possessive about, and I try to have things that I know some of the other kids like (crayons, train set, etc). And snacks of course. @Foodnerd81: playground playdates are actually awesome at LO's age (almost 3) because they entertain themselves SO well at a park and don't fight over toys like they do in a house/apt. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2297765 Tue, 22 Sep 2015 06:48:30 +0000 Foodnerd81 2297765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's with friends, I have found I prefer them at home so the moms can actually chat and catch up while minding the kids, vs at a playground or museum where someone always has to dash off to keep their kid from hurting them self or whatever. But my kid is only 2, I assume that changes, at some point? I also put away any toys that there are only one of and the kids are likely to fight over, and things my LO is too attached to to share (she has one chair that is HER chair and it's easier to just hide it when friends come over). </p> <p>I've never been to a themed one or anything, aside from holiday ones where we purposely put the kids in their Halloween / Christmas / st Patrick's day outfits for a photo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2297704 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 22:44:18 +0000 abbydabbydoodlebug 2297704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Play dates are the best when you can just meet up, no makeup, yoga pants, and hair in a messy bun and just be whatever, haha! </p> <p>But really, if we meet at a park, I always bring bubbles and chalk. </p> <p>Home, I make sure I offer lots of options and put away anything too "controversial" for the kids. I'm usually prepared to bring out the water table if it's warm enough and have kiddie music playing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2297697 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 22:31:46 +0000 mrbee 2297697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jh524: We host a lot of playdates (both at home and at the park) and what works best is having a few options on hand!</p> <p>At home, we have MagnaTiles, wooden blocks and board games all ready to go. When we go to the park, we have a bag of balls, cones and frisbees that we usually bring. Either way, we're able to try out a couple of different sets of toys until we find something that sticks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-makes-the-best-play-date#post-2297687 Mon, 21 Sep 2015 22:05:19 +0000 jh524 2297687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are themed play dates the best?<br /> At a home or at the park?<br /> What play dates have you been to that we're awesome and fun and why?</p> <p> I'm Planning a play date and was thinking "Bubbles &amp; sprinklers" but it's only forecasted to be 70 degrees so I'm not sure if I should change the theme to something different. Give me some ideas ladies!!!! :happy: </p>