Playdates - 8 yr old boys

[Imnotdrinkingmerlot]

What do your kids do on playdates? I try to leave them to it a bit, but suggest activities eg lego, table football, board games, remote control cars, trampoline etc. Inevitably my ds asks for screentime, as do his friends. He struggles a bit socially so I end up switching the TV on after an hour or so of a 2 hrs playdate (after school).

Is this typical? Suggestions welcome, or no point trying to fight the tide and should I just let them stare at the screen?

Ds (almost 8) is currently playing minecraft dungeons on our xbox x with a friend. They definitely seem to prefer tech to all the other options I've offered (similar to your list) but they're going out later to a sports class so I'm not too fussed.

I always get them outside for a good chunk of the time, because when they are indoors they pester for screens. Sometimes I let them fight with the light up swords or play Floor is Lava chasing or jump down as many of the stairs as they dare, because the only non-screen things they want to do are things that seem likely to destroy my home or injure someone.

Oh or covering the entire house with Pokémon cards or football cards is always popular.

I think it's fine to have TV after some play. I often did an hour of play, an hour of TV then dinner then home.

I only invite kids over I don't have to 'entertain' at that age.

They usually play or go on the Switch or play on the playstation, eat nice tea and go home.

I've had a few that just come and talk to me and don't want to play, as lovely as they are, this not my or my kids idea of a play date!

No tv in my house on playdates. I think if they cant entertain themselves with friends, then thats really bad. I just send them outside. They go play nearby on playgeounds or the park.
DS has some friends where they are on the screen everytime at their house. I dont like it, so i suggest playdates here most of the time. One of his friends doesnt come over anymore because i dont want them on the screens 😂