Play date activities? Help!

[L0309]

How can I make a playdate fun for my 5-year-old daughter when I don’t have many toys at home?

I feel a bit self-conscious about inviting other children over because our house isn’t perfect and we don’t have lots of toys or fancy activities. I’d love some ideas for simple, low-cost things that keep children entertained during a playdate.

What do your 5-year-olds enjoy doing when friends come over? Do children really notice these things as much as parents do?

my daughter always has lovely play dates at her friends house by I’m so busy with work housework has gone out of the window lately.

im just feeling a bit less than of that makes sense 😔

How many toys does your child have? Children are excited by toys which are different to their own rather than the number of toys. Playing with a friend is exciting enough.

Don’t worry about the amount of toys - kids are usually excited by ones that they don’t have at home even if they’re nothing special.

What does your DD like doing? Hopefully they will just start doing their own thing but if they need a prompt just ask DD to show friend her favourite toy / ask them both to draw something for you. I’ve never prepared an activity personally.

Is the child’s parent staying?

Could you do some simple baking? Perhaps some cookies? Or you could bake the biscuits (or buy them) in advance and they could decorate them with icing/sprinkles etc?

This. I doubt they’ll need much. Have some paper and colouring pens available if they might like to do some drawing/colouring