Skip to main content

What you should (and shouldn’t) bring to a playdate

Don't be a playdate overpacker

Two toddlers playing with blocks
cottonbro/Pexels

Now that your kiddo is a toddler, it’s time to start planning for those playdates. Playdates are an important part of your little guy or gal’s development. It will help them when it’s time for that first day of preschool. Once you’ve arranged a playgroup or outing with friends for your toddler and it’s officially on the calendar, it’s time to think about what to bring on a playdate. Whether you’re meeting at the local playground or going over a friend’s house to play, we’ve got a list of the essential stuff you won’t want to leave behind, and some you should.

Two toddlers playing with toys on the floor
Olesia Bilkei/Shutterstock

What to bring on a playdate

When it comes to the must-haves for your toddler’s upcoming playdate, here are a couple of items you’ll definitely need, regardless of location.

Water bottles

Staying hydrated is crucial for you and your toddler. So, make sure you have water bottles for the both of you. The days of public water fountains being accessible are gone and besides those were a bacteria fest anyway. Bring your own water bottles so you don’t have to spend unnecessary time and money looking for water to purchase.

Pack the snacks

If you’re going to someone else’s house for the playdate, that parent will probably provide snacks. There isn’t any guarantee your toddler will like them though. Rather than letting your kid go hungry and then have a meltdown, bring your own snacks. You don’t need to pack a ton of options, especially if the playdate is only a couple of hours. One or two containers of their go-to is plenty to have on hand. If you child has food allergies, you should always bring snacks for them.

Toys to share

When your toddler goes to meet friends, they’ll want to play with everyone else’s toys — but they may want to share some of their own, too. Just in case, pack a few of your little one’s toys. he or she won’t mind sharing. That’s part of the learning experience of a playdate.

In an outdoor setting, be cautious of tiny toys that might get lost or left behind. Instead, opt for larger toys your toddler won’t be able to bury in the sandpit. Before you leave, don’t forget to double-check that you have them all. In large groups, it’s easy for your toys to get mixed in with someone else’s or to bring home more than you brought.

Small first-aid kit

There’s always band-aides around at home, but not necessarily on the go. When you’re headed to a park playdate, someone is inevitably going to need a band-aide. A small first aid kit in the diaper bag is a must-have.

Two toddlers playing together at home
Veryulissa/Shutterstock

What you shouldn’t bring

Just like heading on vacation, when it comes to the kiddos, there’s always the tendency for parents to overpack. When you’re going on a playdate, stick to the essentials and leave these things at home.

Entire meals

A couple of snacks that conveniently fit inside your bag are fine, but there isn’t any need to bring an entire meal for your kiddo. Playdates should be scheduled around meals and naptimes anyway.

Pets

If you’re headed to the park, it might seem like a great idea to bring the family dog along, but you might want to think twice. If you haven’t cleared it with other parents, they may feel uncomfortable, especially if you have a gentle giant. Bringing animals around small children can be risky since even the friendliest dogs or cats can have unpredictable reactions.

The main reason to leave your fur baby at home is pet allergies. If someone’s child is severely allergic to dogs, your pet’s presence could ruin the entire playdate. On that note, if the playdate’s happening at your house and you have pets, don’t forget to ask if the other kids have any allergies before opening your house to the playgroup.

Electronics

Toddlers should have limited access to smartphones and iPads. So, when you have the opportunity for your toddler to have a playdate, leave the electronics at home and tucked away in your bag. The important part of a playdate is the interaction between the participants. Toddlers are easily distracted and won’t want to play with each other if the lure of an iPad or smartphone is nearby.

Favorite toy or blanket

Many kiddos have a special toy or blanket they derive comfort from. Playdates are about sharing, but it’s okay for your toddler to not want to share the teddy bear he or she sleeps with every night or a cuddly blanket. Leave those treasured toys that are your toddler’s absolute favorite at home. Instead, bring toys along that they won’t mind having other kids play with for a while.

Two toddlers playing outside
kate_sept2004/Getty Images

Enjoy the playdate experience

Knowing what to bring on a playdate helps to make the experience more enjoyable for your toddler and you. Learning playdate etiquette isn’t always easy, especially if you’re a first-time parent or arranging the date with someone new.

Toddler playdates are a fun way for your kiddo to find a friend, and maybe you can find a new one, too. As with anything parenting, it’s best to come prepared. Knowing which items you’ll want to keep close at hand and which ones you should keep at home will have you one step closer to a more relaxing playdate for you and your tot.

Editors' Recommendations

NewFolks
7-Up: What’s the game and how to play it
Do you remember how to play 7-Up?
Five kids each giving a thumb-up

Raise your hand if you have played the 7-Up game in school? Hands should be shooting up all around because 7-Up is an elementary-school classroom classic. The popular school game is also known as Heads Up, 7-Up, Heads Down, Thumbs Down, or Thumbs Up, 7Up. Regardless of what you called the game as a kid, most parents are familiar with the format and the kiddos just can't get enough. The majority of elementary-school educators have led a round or two of 7-Up at some point in their teaching careers.

Seven-Up is also a summer camp staple on rainy days. It’s an easy game to get going and a fun way to keep a group of children occupied, especially when waiting or transitioning to another activity. To play, you need at least 14 kids, which is what makes it an ideal school or camp game. Seven-Up can certainly be played with less kids, but it's not as much fun. So, are you ready to get those thumbs up? Let's learn how to play Heads Up, 7-Up.

Read more
10 fun games kids can play with just pen and paper
Disconnect and challenge kids to think with games to play on paper
A game of tic-tac-toe on a piece of paper

Tired of seeing the kids with their heads bent over an iPad or staring at their smartphones for hours? You're not alone. It's something many parents struggle with on a daily basis. Getting kids off screens is increasingly challenging, especially as children get older. Finding ways for your kids to be creative and explore activities that don't involve an electronic device can be difficult, but sometimes, simpler really is better. There may not be a lot of technology involved in old-fashioned pen-and-paper games, but they can be just as much fun for younger children, tweens, and even teens.

Paper games for kids can be a quick boredom-buster on an inclement weather day when waiting at a restaurant or while traveling or vacationing -- especially when those airport delays crop up. With paper and a pen or pencil, you don’t need to worry about how much battery charge there is or stress out about finding an outlet to plug into. Putting together games to play on paper is a snap. Don't worry if you don't remember the rules to the Hangman, we've got cool games to play on paper that kids will definitely enjoy. It doesn't even need to be game night to play paper games for kids.

Read more
10 cool talent show ideas for kids so they can wow their audience
Get ready to applaud, audiences will enjoy these fun talents show ideas for kids
Girl performs in a talent show

Talent shows like NBC's American's Got Talent have never really gone out of style. Audiences have always loved the format where everyday people show of their respective talents. Talent shows are also popular with the kiddos who aren't shy about performing.  As a parent though, you may wonder if your kid's talent can stand up to a more seasoned competition where the audience is not made up of just family members. If your child has signed up for a talent show either at school, camp, or your community center, don't worry. There are a lot of fun talent show ideas for kids to wow an audience.

How to decide on a talent show idea for kids
The first thing to do when your child tells up about an upcoming talent show is to say congratulations. Making the decision to take part in a talent show takes a lot of courage. So, be sure to be encouraging despite any reservations you may have. Next, it's time to come up with a number for the talent show.

Read more