How hands on are you during play dates?

[Rainallnight]

DD is 7. Has a new-ish friend coming round for a play date tomorrow.

With school friends she knows well, I just leave them to it and they play or go crazy to music in her room.

But I’m wondering should I do more? An activity? Baking? What’s expected and what do you do?

Keep an ear out for chaos and feed them.

A “play date” is , from what I understand, what we called going to play at our friend’s house. Parents weren’t involved in the proceedings. Just leave them to get on with it, other than giving them food and drinks and noise control.

Yeah, as above. Food and drink and noise control. Keep an ear out for problems.

Some light supervision and regular snacks/meals

At that age with a new friend I would always have an activity in, just in case they got bored or just playing didn't quite work as naturally as they had hoped. Craft set, baking etc. Hopefully they won't need it but useful to have as a back up in case!

Not at all, they just get on with it.

I know parents who toe themselves in knots with activities etc. Over the years with 4 children of my own, I’ve found they like to just be left alone to entertain themselves.

Glad to hear my laissez-faire approach is pretty standard!

It went really well - I actually did get involved in a game of theirs because they needed a customer but otherwise I left them to it and they had a great time.

Just light supervision and occasional helping with stuff (e.g. a fiddly toy)