3 year old play date expectations

[lemonsherbert86]

Hoping to get some ideas!

My DD has just turned 3. So far play dates have mainly been friends of ours who have kids similar ages and we just kind of throw them together and let them amuse themselves so the adults can catch up 🤣

This weekend one of her friends from nursery is coming for the first time.
I'm Assuming at this age the parents will stay too (I know I wouldn't leave my DD with people I hardly know)

What type of activities should I plan? Feel like I need to plan rather than just hope for the best!
Also wondering what sort of dinner I should prepare. Is the likes of shepherds pie / spag Bol acceptable? I know her friend has no dietary requirements.

feel ridiculous asking but just wondering what others do?

Thanks in advance!

Still throw the kids together and leave them to it mostly. Have what you normally would for tea. Don’t overthink it.

Similar gist.

I tend to have a starting point for play in mind (e.g. have got the train box out) and pre looked out snacks and cups etc, but within reason let them play as they want.

I usually text with my intended meal just to check it’s likely to work.

I wouldn’t really serve a meal at a playdate with a parent. Just let them play then clear off home before dinner time. Otherwise, you end up all sitting down to eat and it feels more like coming over for dinner than a playdate. Some fruit, crackers, cheese would be more than sufficient. I’d personally just get out some toys and let them play or walk to the park or playground.

Definitely don't do a meal! Just snacks and a drink. CLet them play together. Maybe put a few toys out in advance.

What time are they due??

Don't have any expectations whatsoever would be my approach

You're supposed to plan activities? I just get the duplo out and leave them to it.

Thanks everyone!

I've definitely been overthinking it 🙈🤣

I'll just get the train set and magnetic tiles out to start then and leave them to it!

The meal was just going to be for the kids, not the adults. I wouldn't have thought to do a meal either but it was originally going to be at the other child's house and his mum mentioned them having dinner so I felt like I should do it too.

I normally just say 'why don't you show Henry your room?' and then just have a nice cup of tea with the parents. After about 45 minutes I go in there and ask if anyone needs a wee. Then offer snacks. Then send them off to play again.

If you are offering the kids dinner, it's margarita pizza. Literally nothing else is served for kids play date meals until about age 8. By all means put some carrot sticks, cucumber and cherry tomatoes on the side to make yourself feel better about it.

At that age, especially if you are hoping to chat to the other mum, try to encourage things you don't need to supervise super closely. Eg huge bucket of duplo on the floor. Remember at that age they will do "parallel play", not properly play together.

I'd agree if they were 6. At age 3 you need to be able to see them most if not all of the time.

@SummerInSun I have a three year old. It was very noticeable around the time they were all turning three that they did start playing with each other rather than parallel play. And we don't need to supervise much any more, though my DS is nearly three and a half now and his friends are mostly a couple of months older.