Toddlers
5 Play Date Ideas for Younger Kids

Spending time with other kids helps your child learn valuable social skills and build friendships. Here are some fun ideas for getting your little one together for playtime with a buddy.

1. Picnic in the Park.

Lots of city parks have picnic tables or covered areas perfect for lunch or snack time. Pack up a cooler of treats and meet another mom to let your kids romp until they’re hungry. While you watch the kids play, you’ll have a great opportunity to build a friendship of your own with your mom-friend!

2. Splish Splash.

The summer months are great for letting your small fry and a buddy cool off in the backyard pool, or even just playing in the sprinklers! If you do have a pool—even a plastic kiddy pool—make sure you follow safety precautions and provide constant supervision. Look for great water toys like backyard slides and crazy, silly sprinklers in the toy department of your local discount store.

3. Tea Time with the Queen.

Little girls with big imaginations love to dive into the dress-up trunk for a great hat and some other well-chosen accessories and enjoy a good tea party. Bake up a few sweet treats, set a small table with some pretty flowers and dishes, and let them pretend to be royalty.

4. Nature Explorers.

Arm your little playtime pals with a pail or bag and take them into the great outdoors to find some specific things from nature. Even in the backyard, they can search for leaves, pinecones, pebbles and worms. Help them identify the different types of leaves and objects they collect.

5. Time to Create.

Kids love to create, and it’s even more fun with a friend. Round up some crayons, paper, and a few fresh cans of play dough and let them use their imaginations to make something great.

© 2012 iMOM. All Rights Reserved. Family First, All Pro Dad, iMOM, and Family Minute with Mark Merrill are registered trademarks.

RECENT ARTICLES