Easy and Epic Playdate Ideas for Kids and Their Friends

[vc_row][vc_column][ultimate_ctation ctaction_background=”#82F0FD” ctaction_background_hover=”#82F0FD”]When it comes to friendship, kids can have fun doing almost anything, but if you want to give your kids’ friends a unique experience, try one of these awesome playdate ideas![/ultimate_ctation][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Did you know National Friendship Day is the first Sunday in August every year? Whether you are figuring out how to help your child make friends or just want to help them celebrate on August 4th, these epic playdates for kids and their friends are sure to be a hit!

1. Make Your Own Playdough (or Other Sensory Keepsake)

Instead of regular arts and crafts, let your kids’ friends create something they can play with and take home to remember the day. Playdough is a great option! This DIY playdough recipe only requires a few basic kitchen ingredients for an afternoon of fun! This gives kids a mix of art and science for an epic day to remember with friends. Baking, of course, is another great sensory experience for a playdate, and any of our Baketivity baking kits can deliver an epic afternoon of fun for little ones and their pals.

2. Playground Photo Scavenger Hunt 

In the best friendships, kids get to go wild together. This playground photo scavenger hunt is the perfect playdate idea for kids who have lots of energy and love to explore. First, create a list of items to find and actions to do at a playground such as, “a pinecone” for an item” and “go down the slide” for an action. Then give your child some type of camera (or be the cameraperson for them) and have them take turns with a friend capturing photos of every item on the list. When they’ve completed the list, give them a special snack as a reward!

3. Backyard Drive-In

What’s better than a movie night? A drive-in movie night right in the backyard. This playdate requires a little bit of work but it’s still relatively easy, and so worth it. First, scavenge a couple of cardboard boxes and color or paint on black wheels to turn them into cars for all your kids’ friends. For your screen, either plug a TV in outside or set up a sheet and use a projector to play the movie. Lastly, use leftover cardboard to make snack boxes stuffed with baggies of popcorn, candy, and a drink! These memories make for the kinds of friendships kids will never forget.

4. Board Game Bonanza

If you’re having more than one friend over, make it a party! Inviting a few extra kids to a playdate and making it a party is a great idea if you’re looking for how to help your child make friends. So what kind of party is perfect as a playdate? A game board part, of course! First, select a few games that the kids will play. Then invite each child to dress up like a character from one of the board games such as the Monopoly man, King Kandy of Candyland, Miss Scarlett from Clue, or even a Hungry, Hungry Hippo. Don’t forget to stop by a dollar store and pick up a few prizes for the game winners and costume contest prizes.

5. VIP Event 

Another easy but epic playdate party idea is to host an “A-list event” where children are invited to dress up as their favorite celebrities. Add glitz and glamor to the party setting with decorations like gold balloons and silver serving trays for “hors d’oeurves” which can be mini hotdogs, crackers and cheese, and fruit! For activities, put out some props for a photobooth, pull up YouTube videos with lyrics on a TV screen for karaoke, and clear the living room for a dance party. Kids can also spend time chatting about which celebrity they are or even receive souvenir awards for which they make speeches as they receive like celebrities at an award party!

These epic playdate ideas are a great way to help kids make memories with friends or if you’re looking for how to help your child make friends. We hope you get to try your favorite one for National Friendship Day this August 4th!

Kids can learn to be the kindest friends

with Kindness Cookies to bake and share!

Get even more sweetness with the 

Kindness Cookies Sensory Bundle,

including a piping set and cookie cutter set!

Find more cool kits here!