Basic playdate tips please

[Wineinbathtub]

I am a nervous, inexperienced host but willing to take the plunge and have playdates for my 3year old. Any tips to make people (kids and adults) feel welcome/at ease/entertained? Don't worry that you are stating the obvious - I need the most basic of tips because inexperienced/lacking role models in this area. Thanks

Provide snacks. Have a couple of things set up to play with, e.g. garage and cars, dolls and dollshouse, trains and track, and a couple of free flow activities e.g. blocks, stacking cups. Keep them to an hour max.

I invite 2 other kids/parents (unless they're friends, then you're just inviting friends around which is different). Anything more is just chaotic.

Put away nice/favourite toys and ones with lots of bits.

Snacks for kids, I stick with fruit and a boring biscuit. Snacks for parents, boring biscuits like children and sneaky nice biscuits 😅

Selection of organised toys/activities for kids.

Assume they might get a bit feral after a bit and that there'll be tears several times. Most 3 year old owners know to stick to a time limit though, and tend to say their goodbyes after 90minutes.

Or cop out completely and suggest meeting at the park/petting farm/soft play!!

Thank you - this is helping build up my confidence! Might still cop out and go to park though Scot!