What to do when they get bored on a playdate

[exodus]

My ds has a mate home from school about twice a week but of late they have started to get bored and then they hang around me saying what can we do we are bored and it drives me mad.
My ds also develops a bit of a attitude towards me and becomes quite sulky and he also starts being off hand with his mate when they get to this stage.
The start plaging me to take them to soft play, or to McDonalds which of course costs money and I am struggling at the moment financially.
I think part of the problem also is that they always end up at my house and ds is never invited to go to the freinds house to play and my house has now become a bit stale.
My ds has made comments about his friends mom been mean because he never goes to theirs.
It has sort of got to the stage now where ds is going off his mate as well which does seem a bit of a shame.
Just wondering what I can do to help matters.
They are both 8.

[mumblecrumble]

Could you and your ds think of some ideas when he's a bi fresher and pick from out of a hat when his chum is there?

Do they like cooking dinner?

[LynetteScavo]

Stop inviting the friend over so often.

[supagirl]

Hi

I find it easier to plan activities for playdates and have it ready in advance, with input from the LO's as to what they would like to do.

Sometimes we theme them - eg it might be a high school musical theme (10 year old dd) or a teddy bears picnic (5 year old ds).

You could do water play in the garden with water guns, paddling pool etc and they could eat outside or you could do star wars theme where they watch one of the films then maybe make junk models of the characters out of old cereal/egg boxes, or a wii sport tournament with medals and badges (if you have a wii) - or whatever ties in with their hobbies/interests. DS recently went on a playdate and they made an exploding volcano in the garden from a kit that the child's Mum had picked up for a fiver - he LOVED it!

I also find it helps to have 2 or 3 kids over at a time - they seem to find it easier to play games and things together.

SG

[ChasingSquirrels]

tbh if my child and the friend can't play together nicely I wouldn't have the friend round. I though the whole point of having a friend over was that they entertained each other so you don't have to!

[shouldbeironing]

I thought this was going to be about an OP with a child in reception - they can be a handful on playdates.

But if this is an 8 year old who comes round twice a week and is never asked back I would cut back a little for a while just to give you all a break and then in a couple of weeks things will be fresher again.

They should just get on with it - watch TV if necessary - certainly I would not ever give in to demands for soft play or McDonalds - they are just trying their luck.

If they are so familiar with your place etc to be honest they are behaving like a pair of siblings - it is perfectly normal behaviour.

Tell them to read a book, do something on the computer - mine like making powerpoint presentations or doing club penguin - or play in the garden or whatever. Get them to make their fathers' day cards. You cant be providing "entertainment" twice a week. Maybe an occasional trip to the local playground or having a different friend or 2 around would be an idea though.

[girlywhirly]

If the playdates are always at your house, stop inviting that child. I think the mother is taking advantage. There's nothing to stop the other child bringing games etc to yours, and I think twice a week is too much with a friendship that is fading. Invite other mates round instead who return the invitation.