Outside Playdate Guide

In today’s society, playdates are becoming quite common. Most children don’t have the time to just run out and play anymore so scheduling playdates is the popular thing to do. If you are new to the playdate world then there are some guidelines you will want to follow, especially if you are going to be outside. There are some different rules to follow when you decide to have an outside playdate. Here is an outside playdate guide to keeping children safe and still letting them have fun.

Dress Appropriately

Playing outside always means that appropriate attire must be worn. Whether it is ninety degrees and blistering hot, or if it is forty degrees with snow on the ground, dressing for the weather is important. If it is cold outside then make sure that the kids have coats, hats, gloves, etc; whatever they need to keep warm. And vice versa; if it is hot outside then make sure you put sunscreen on them and give them plenty of water to drink so they don’t get dehydrated.

Rules and Boundaries

If you decide to have a playdate outside you have to set some very specific rules and boundaries for children to play within. If the playdate is at your own house you need to make sure if children are playing outside by themselves that they know where they are allowed to be and where they are not allowed to be. If you want them to stay in the backyard then make sure you are very clear about it and then you will still need to keep a watchful eye on them. The ideal situation for outside playdates would be for you to be outside with them the entire time without interfering with their play. Unfortunately however the mere fact that you are outside creates different play and you will almost always be a distraction to them, so setting up rules and boundaries is a necessary thing to do. Along with the rules and boundaries you set up you must also have consequences if they are not kept. For older children it is sometimes enough to say that they will not be able to play outside anymore if they don’t follow the rules. For younger children there will need to be warnings and consequences.

Neighborhood Friends

It never fails that when kids are playing outside in the yard there will almost always be other children who want to come over and play with them. Kids just gravitate towards each other so this is natural. You will have to come up with the rules on whether or not you let them stay or if you would rather not have them there. It’s totally up to you and you might just have to wait and test that situation out when it occurs. Sometimes with children “the more the merrier.” Other times “three’s (or more) a crowd.” The decision is yours to make.

If you’re leaving home, pick a calm place

There are probably tons of places to choose from, but when it comes to a playdate you don’t want to go outside and play at the busiest park in the city for a couple of reasons. It’s difficult to keep track of kids when there are millions running around all over the place and secondly kids get distracted when there are several other kids playing around them.

Outside playdates will have an entirely different rule guide than inside playdates as there are many other things to consider. Hopefully this outside playdate guide will give you some ideas on how to make your child’s playdate successful and fun.