Are themed play dates the best?
At a home or at the park?
What play dates have you been to that we're awesome and fun and why?
I'm Planning a play date and was thinking "Bubbles & 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!!!! 
admin / wonderful grape / 20724 posts
@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!
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!
nectarine / 2636 posts
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!
But really, if we meet at a park, I always bring bubbles and chalk.
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.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
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).
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.
squash / 13764 posts
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.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
@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!
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
@hilsy85: yes, this exactly. I prefer to do playdates at a different location than home.
cantaloupe / 6630 posts
@oliviaoblivia: ha ha! Why have we not had a play date like that ever????
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
I've been to a couple playdates with mimosas and I definitely couldn't complain about that
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.
pear / 1632 posts
@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:)
apricot / 358 posts
@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!
pomegranate / 3127 posts
@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.
It's true it's easier to relax and not watch the kids all the time at home though.
cantaloupe / 6630 posts
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.
pomegranate / 3643 posts
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.
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