Most of our playdates are spontaneous, informal get-togethers, often without much notice. Having children definitely gives meaning to the phrase “best laid plans,” so we organize and schedule and hope for the best.
I haven’t spoken a lot about BlogHer because I’m organizing my thoughts and the content I gleaned into information I hope you’ll find valuable. I’d much rather put together something of value then to simply recap the sessions and events I attended. One of my favorite “events” was an afternoon playdate hosted by Mom Central, Step2, and Infantino. The event was held in a private house out on beautiful Coronado Island with scenic views and a cool ocean breeze. This brings me to my first tip, inspired by the day’s event:
A beach playdate perhaps?
1. Location is everything! Think about the age, gender, and interests of the children attending the playdate. Think about the time of year and the season. You may decide that an afternoon out at the park is perfectly suited for 4 year old boys while an afternoon tea party with dolls would be ideal for 4 year old girls.
Healthy treats are definitely called for but this is a cute idea!
2. Have kid-friendly snacks and lots of them! If your child is anything like my children, they’re hungry all. the. time. That’s because they’re running and jumping and splashing and playing. They’re also learning and growing. In today’s society where food allergies abound, be certain to speak with the parents of the children attending to ensure that each child can enjoy the snacks provided.
3. Be prepared with kid-friendly activities. If your playdate is at a venue, then you may skip this tip altogether. But if the playdate is at your home, you’ll want to think about the kinds of activities that will engage children so as not to get bored which equates to mischief.
4. Give them something to remember the day. It could be as simple as the art they created during the playdate or a photo snapped during the playdate. They’ll be talking about the fun they experienced long after the playdate is over.
I thought that the afternoon playdate theme was perfectly suited to showcase the latest from Infantino and Step2. You may remember that about a year ago, I partnered with Infantino and Mom Central to test out and showcase some items from their new baby collection. And my son has been a huge fan of Step2’s outdoor toys, play kitchens and outdoor toys.
On display were products from Infantino’s new Comforting Play Collection, designed to calm and soothe babies. Blogger teams worked together to create gift baskets that were then donated to families in need.
Step2 also had several of their products on display, including their new ride-on toys (which we JUST reviewed), play kitchens (which we are currently reviewing), and activity tables.
Not only was the event highly interactive and engaging, I walked away with some tips and information about the brand and a sense that I had made a difference by helping to put together gift baskets for needy families.
No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to an “afternoon playdate” hosted by Mom Central, Infantino, and Step2 and received a gift bag.
- Discover Luxury at Sonesta Irvine: Your Ideal Staycation - August 8, 2024
- CHOC Walk Returns to the Disneyland Resort – Special Events and Ways to Support - June 28, 2023
- Beastly Ball Returns to the Los Angeles Zoo - May 8, 2023
Leave a Reply