First play date with child from nursery - advice please!

[GandTnow]

Hello, after some advice about what to provide / expect from play date. DD is 3 as is the girl she has coming over. Her mum is also coming but as this is the first play date I have been involved in I don't really know what to do.

They are coming at 10 in the morning. Does this mean they'll still be there for lunch? Should I provide activities for them to do? I was thinking of setting up play dough or something in the kitchen and then setting up a cafe style play area in the sitting room so they can have a tea party. Or am I best just letting them rummage through DD's toys? Also I'm not too keen on them going upstairs - is this normal?

Any advice is welcome so that this isn't DD's only play date!

I wouldn't expect to be there for lunch unless you had asked.
Normal not to have two 3 year olds upstairs on their own.

Either provide activities or let them rummage. Either is good.
Have a plentiful supply of coffee and biscuits. This is the most important thing

Let them rummage but also good to provide drawing or play dough. Other child may be clingy or alternately overexcited at new toys. Your DD might suddenly get possessive over "her" toys even if they share well at nursery.

Mine just always ended up in her bedroom trying on different clothes. :)

Hi GandTnow

If they're coming at 10am then they're probably not expecting lunch - 2 hours is about right for a first play date. But there's no harm asking. Can you text the mum? If not then just make sure you've got enough bread in for sarnies. If they're not expecting lunch, it'll be a good cue to end it at 12pm with a quick "would x like some lunch?".

Rummaging through the toys is fine... but setting something up ready to go will mean they can get stuck in straight away. Play doh and tea party sound great. Gluing and sticking is good if they get bored / tetchy.

And yes, not wanting them upstairs is completely normal. Both for reasons of privacy and the fact that they are 3 and you won't know what they might be up to!! I wouldn't let my DCs (4 & 2) upstairs in someone's house unless invited.

Have fun!!!

Thank you so much, think I might be getting a bit too worried about the whole thing! Good news to know that lunch isn't expected!

Any other advice or tips always welcome.

You'll be fine OP!!

If the worst comes to the worst, you can always stick a dvd on!!

Don't be surprise if your dd decides she doesn't want to play with her friend; this is embarrassing but totally normal. If this happens, you may need to play with the visiting child instead of coffee with the mum. Offer a snack (little bowl of fruit and biscuit) and drink. I found offering some joint activity helpful; decorating biscuits with icing and sweets, simple craft, collages etc.