What to do on play dates!

[Lucinda15]

My DS is in his 2nd year at school (5-6yo), and since starting last year has begun to have a few play dates after school. I'm new to this and have become increasingly paranoid that I'm not making it a very fun play date for his friends!

When he come back from their houses he seems to have had a brilliant time, wants to go back, etc etc. But can never really give me any detail of what they have got up to.

When they come over here, I usually let them get out his toys, have a bit of a muck about with those. Then when they begin to lose interest, I may get a board game or play doh out for them (with varied success!). But I'm worried because they usually end up getting a little bored with what we have on offer and I find myself trying to kill as much time as I can with giving them dinner and pudding etc.

Is there something else I should be doing to make it a bit more exciting? Getting some different activities out? I'm really not sure and am worried his friends won't want to come round to play....

Interested to know what others do. Any tips/advice welcome!

Mine's a lot younger at 3yo, but playdates here consist of supervising to make sure they aren't breaking themselves/each other/the house, but otherwise letting them get on with what they want to play, and supplying snacks or specific activities (arts and crafts/playdoh would come under this) as and when requested. If it's a longer playdate then I will have a planned activity for part of the time (eg baking).
At 5/6 I'm expecting much the same but with less supervision from me. I think for the visiting child, the fun and excitement is in a whole new set of toys to play with (plus a friend of course!) so you don't have to try particularly hard. Add a few 'treat' snacks and everyone is happy. The DCs seem keen to return so I can't be too far wrong!(?)

Thanks! Yep i found play dates when babies/preschoolers a lot easier! But somehow things have shifted a bit since they've started school and got a little older. They sometimes don't play so well together, want to do different things, get bored easily. They seem to do better with structure, so I try to provide an activity like a new board game or play doh etc. But I sort of feel it's not enough. Wondered what other mums do, but not sure what more I can do really! Lol.