In a lot of ways, summer is the magical season when it comes to being a parent and having a social life. Trips to the park or pool are perfect chances to run into friends and their kids. Some lucky parents might even get to make some new friends at swim lessons or summer soccer games. But once the school year gets back into full swing and afternoons are filled with homework or fall sports, it can be harder to make those casual get-togethers happen.
Whether we are trying to get to know new parent/kid friends that we and our kids might meet at back-to-school night or PTA, or staying connected with old friends, playdates can be such a clutch way to have an actual social life. It's always a little magical when the kid our kid wants to hang out with happens to come with parents we vibe with, so it's genuine fun to think about how to have some playdates that are fun for all involved (no wine required!).
We've got nothing against the usual "let's meet up at the park" plan; it's a classic playdate for a reason! But for moms who want to step up their playdate game, we've rounded up 15 creative (and real mom tested) ideas for playdates that are also fun for parents.
Mani/Pedis
Who says a playdate has to involve getting dirty at the park? Some moms, like Mallory O from Hastings, Minnesota, love a more glam approach to a playdate. She shares a more relaxing way to reconnect: "My friends and I love to go get mother/daughter pedicures with our girls. We've done it as a playdate on the day before school starts ever since they were starting pre-K!
"The girls feel very fancy getting their nails done and it gives all of us a chance to relax and catch-up before the crazy of the school year starts. The girls like it so much they sometimes even schedule playdates just to play 'nail salon' with each other."
Escape Rooms
As summer turns into fall and then winter, finding fresh ideas for indoor playdates is key. For older kids and parents, a puzzle or escape room can be a super fun option! It's a great way to work together to see which of our friends has the best critical thinking skills — and to enjoy some friendly competition.
Book Swap
Sometimes it can be intimidating to schedule a playdate, especially for parents who might be on the more shy side of the spectrum. Jen H from Hudson, Wisconsin, has a brilliant solution for that: "My daughter and I are both introverted book worms so playdates are kind of challenging for us, to be honest. But several times a year, I host a book swap playdate that is actually really fun.
"Everyone comes with books they are ready to pass on, so we make one table for kid books and one for adult books and then everyone just gets to browse and grab some new books. It's perfect for shy people because there is always something to talk about (hey, what is your book about?)"
Hit the Woods
Let's be real: For some parents, the barrier to having fun on a playdate is the idea of a house full of screaming kids that we have to eventually clean up after. That's why a hiking playdate can be awesome. Fresh air, a chance to let them burn off some energy, and time for parents to have some actual conversation while walking.
And hiking doesn't have to be some epic 10-mile journey, either. There are often easy one-, two- or three-mile trails in area parks that can serve as a quick after-school or weekend option.
Soccer Fun
OK, well this idea (that we are stealing from Lindsay R from Boulder, Colorado) is just genius! As she writes, "We started a weekly mini-soccer program for a small group of kids from school. All the parents (there are eight families) kicked in some money and we hired a college soccer player to run a loose soccer practice at the park for an hour and a half, one night a week. We all bring dinner and have a picnic and the kids play low-key soccer. It's such a win-win!"
Yoga Kids
An active playdate like a parent/child yoga class can be a wonderful way to not only add a little zen to our lives but to also be an easier first playdate with someone that we might not know as well. No need to worry about making conversation when we are in downward dog!
Happy Hour Playdates
We love the idea of whole family playdates, and a happy hour/playdate at a local brewery can be super fun (and surprisingly kid friendly!). Just find one that has some root beer on tap, some snacks or food trucks on site, and some games, and everyone will have a blast!
A New Park Plan
The key thing for having a playdate that is fun for parents too is keeping the kids occupied and playing on their own so the adults can actually talk and get to know each other. A super simple idea: Go to a different park than usual.
A little bit longer of a drive to a new-to-us park gives kids a new environment to explore, which means they'll be extra engaged with their play. Grab a coffee on the way and enjoy some actual conversation with a fellow adult while the kids play!
Mini Golf
It's always a good playdate when we remember something that is both kind of retro and super fun! Before winter sets in, consider a mini-golf outing for a playdate. Kids love it and it is actually fun for adults too.
Given that most courses only take an hour or so to play, it is a good first playdate for getting to know other parents too. If the playdate vibes are good, just switch from a nine-hole course to an 18-hole course to keep the fun going!
Keep It Chill
It's time for another round of "Let's steal a great idea!" We're into this plan from Hannah M from Holland, Michigan: "When we first moved to the area, I had no friends. So, I sent an email to all the parents in my daughter's 1st grade class and said, 'I'm hosting a standing Saturday morning playdate at my house. BYO coffee, I'll have snacks. My house may or may not be clean. If there isn't an actual hurricane in the forecast, the kids are going to play in the yard. Come hang out!'
"I love to host and every week I got a least a few takers on the playdate. By December, we pretty much had the same four or five moms, who are now my closest friends."
Donut Party!
One of the most fun playdates we've been to involved some really sweet fun! We met up at a park and every family brought donuts from a different place. We then had a donut tasting party and crowned one local bakery the best of the bunch. The kids ran off the sugar at the park, and parents got to enjoy some coffee and carbs.
Game Day
Game night is always fun, so why not have a game day playdate? There are plenty of games that are fun for adults and kids to play. (Anyone who wouldn't drop a Draw 4 Wild card on a third grader is a WIMP.) It's easy to spin the kids off to their own game table too.
Book Club
According to Leslie G of St. Paul, Minnesota, there is no reason playdates have to end just because kids are too old for playing. As she shares, "We have a close-knit mom group that first met when our kids were in the same pre-school class. The kids are starting high school this year (SOB!) but we still like to get together as group.
"Our latest thing is doing a mom/kid book club. Not all the kids are into it, but the ones who are get to choose the books. We've read A LOT of vampire books, but it's fun to discuss it with them and to still get that time together."
A Swimmingly Fun Time
There is a public pool near us that has a kid-friendly splash area and shallow section right in the sight line of the 15-person capacity hot tub. Um, hello: Perfect winter playdate! Indoor pools are so clutch as a playdate location when late fall and winter weather hits.
Just Add Dogs!
For families that have kids and dogs, a trip to a dog park can be a wonderful way for everyone in the house to have a playdate! Meeting up at a local dog park is a chill way to connect with other dog-loving families and doesn't require cleaning the house or having to bring fancy snacks. Easy and fun, so it's a win-win!
