Having a play date can be a great way for your child to interact with little ones his or her own age, and it can also be a time where mommies can share stories and tips.
Play dates can be a lot of fun, but careful planning is a must have for little one play dates. Your little one’s first play date is going to be a really important and special event for both of you.
Picking the Right Time
When you’re scheduling your baby’s first play date, you’ll want to think about the right time of day to get the fun started. To be on the safe side, don’t try to squeeze in a play date right before your baby is scheduled to nap. Instead, make sure that you schedule the play date for a time when he is well rested and has been fed already.
Also, if you find you are frequently short on time as a new mommy, try to shop online whenever possible. this will save you a ton of time and an lot of money on rushed and stressful shopping trips.
Make Your Home Safe for Baby and Friends
A safe environment is a must have for these first play dates, and you’ll need to do some work to make sure that your home is ready for the arrival of your baby’s friends. The odds are that your home is already baby proofed, but it’s a good idea for you to do a run through and try to identify any areas of concern. Make sure that you do the following:
- Cover all electrical outlets
- Shorten blind cords
- Lock dangerous substances in out of reach cabinets
- Keep small items, such as coins, out of baby’s reach
- Secure heavy furniture, such as bookshelves or bureaus, to the walls
- Pad the edges of coffee tables or other sharp pieces of furniture
- Install safety gates near any stairways in your home
- Place houseplants out of the reach of your baby
Taking some of these precautions will ensure that your child and his or her friends will have a safe and secure environment in which to enjoy their first play date. If you need to purchase any items to secure your home, you can search for them at an online shop, which is a huge convenience to new mommies.
Let the Fun Begin
For first play dates, toys are less interesting than interacting with little fingers and other mommies. They will likely spend much of their time enjoying the sounds and sights new people bring to the day. Some great First Play Date activities include:
- head-to-head tummy time
- peek-a-boo using one baby as the peeper while the other one watches
- Mommies singing nursery rhymes to babies together
At this age, the little ones mostly want to be around you during the play date. This works out great since these first play dates should include constant supervision.