Do your kids like play dates?  Probably… mine do.  I know, as a mom, they are not my favorite thing, however.  Maybe you feel the same way.

Over the years, I have learned a few things which make play dates a little less scary so I would share them with you today.

1. Go through and put away your kids’ favorite toys.  This makes sharing so much easier.
2. When the friends arrive, have a few activities in mind so that the children can all agree on something that appeals to everyone.
3. Be sure to give 10 minute warnings when it’s time to put the toys away our time to get ready to go home.  Transition warnings helped children so much.
4. Once the kids are playing happily let them have some space.  If problems arise, give them a chance to work it out on their own first.  Do be prepared step in if necessary.
5. Be ready to help with cleanup if necessary, especially for very young children. Making cleanup a game works really well.
6. Try to keep play dates to two hours or less.  This ensures that the play date ends on a high note and not with everyone exhausted.