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Playdate ideas

Picnics at the park. Fancy dress. Games in the garden. Playtime bundled up outside with hot chocolate and cuddles. These are just a few of our favourite things to do at JoJo where days are filled with magical memories with forever friends. So whether it’s rainy days, cosy days, sunny days or adventure days, discover our top 10 favourite playdate ideas ready for your next date in the diary.

What is a playdate?

Playdates are exactly as fun as they sound. A playdate is where parents will arrange a time and a place for children to get together to play. Whether it’s after nursery or on the weekend, there are so many exciting things to do on a playdate. Playdates usually start from around 2 years old, but it’s also common for new mums to meet up with their babies for a playdate.

Are playdates important?

Playdates play a big role in a child’s development. As they make new friends and play, they strengthen their friendships, confidence, social skills, new cultures and, depending on the playdate, it can be the best way to get in some exercise and blow off some energy. It’s important to make time to encourage little ones to interact with others and experience lots of fun activities and challenges.

Things to do on a playdate

Playdates can be as simple or as creative as you like. From energetic outdoor playdate ideas to indoor playdates that work around the weather, anything that sparks creativity, encourages social skills and teaches kids the skill of sharing, caring and friendship, there’s so-so much to add to the playdate bucket list.

Outdoor playdate ideas

Scavenger Hunt Days

Need an activity to get outdoors? Scavenger hunts are the perfect game for exploring, discovering and learning. Connecting with nature means they can pull on the welly boots and engage the senses while having lots of fun!

Get ready to leap and climb (but not too high!) by making a list of animals, plants and objects that are local to your area. Make sure they’re common enough to find easy (But throw in a few riddles too!)

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Park Days

Racing, chasing, daisy chain lacing… parks are the perfect place to run care-free, climb trees and dust down muddy knees. Start on the swings, play hide and seek, then sit down for a bite to eat - sharing a picnic is a great way to fuel up. Since lockdown, families have used public parks to host outdoor birthday parties and playdates. Why? Well, it’s free and spacious (especially if you’re in a city), so if you’re looking for a budget playdate or gathering a whole clan together, head to the park.

Dance Party Days

Who doesn’t like a dance party? Giggly, wiggly, music-filled days will become their favourite playdate. Dancing, hopping and boogie-bopping to songs, wearing their favourite swishy dress or fancy dress costume - why not make their own music to dance along to and start a band with musical toys?

Musical Toys

Build a Fort Days

Building, hiding, let’s pretend… making makeshift forts and dens. Crafting a secret hideaway is so-so easy with a little help from adults, props and lots of creativity. Raid the airing cupboard for everyday household items like sheets, blankets, pillows, chairs and poles, and begin bonding and building the fort of their dreams (just add fairy lights to make it extra cosy).

Flower Pressing Days

Pressing flowers is a great way for them to learn about plants, use them in an art project or keep them as a lasting memory. Next time you’re at the park, have an old bouquet or go flower foraging, be sure to pick up a variety of flowers and discover what they can do.

Roleplay Days

What do they want to be when they grow up? A chef? A vet? A shopkeeper or perhaps a doctor? Whatever their big dreams, roleplaying is great for big imaginations, bonding and building social skills with friends. From wooden toy kitchens to playsets and kids’ fancy dress, a whole new world awaits!

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Book Club Days

Monthly book clubs have boomed over the years, and for good reason too! Library playdates, bookstore dates and at-home book dates give a chance for little ones to find their favourite books, talk about characters, book swap, flip through pages and learn whilst doing so. Book club days aren’t limited to paperback books either… one day can be full of colouring books and activity books. Or switch it up with a Tonies, changing Tonie characters and listening to iconic stories altogether, wherever they go.

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Crafty Days

There’s joy in the messy mucky moments, filled with paints, colour, play dough and clay. Budding artists will thrive in getting creative and getting stuck in altogether. There’s just one rule though - displaying their finished masterpieces must go on the fridge!

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Sporty Days

From bike rides to climbing frames to kicking a ball around, sporty days will bring out their competitive side, or test their team skills. Host a mini sports day with outdoor games including egg and spoon, skipping ropes, and bat and ball. Lots and lots of laughs, guaranteed.

Outdoor Toys

Aha! Aho! It’s The Gruffalo x JoJo

Why, didn’t you know? We have lots and lots of The Gruffalo here at JoJo. Our Gruffalo clothes and toys are perfect for playdates through the deep dark woods. Take a peek, what will you find?

The Gruffalo Toys The Gruffalo Clothing