Hosting a large group of 5th grade girls for playdate

[Anonymous]

I’m going to have several 5th grade girls over for several hours including a couple I don’t know as well. When my kids were younger I would get a special craft or something but interested in any other ideas for things to have on hand or ready for the ones that don’t come over as much. Inside only I think.

[Anonymous]

your daughter should be figuring this out. she's ten.

[Anonymous]

I think having an activity in your back pocket is a good idea - something like nail painting or a small craft - in case they start spiraling. You can ask you DD for ideas (also ideas on snacks).

This is a tough age, sometimes they just play and sometimes they rove around bored and testy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think having an activity in your back pocket is a good idea - something like nail painting or a small craft - in case they start spiraling. You can ask you DD for ideas (also ideas on snacks).

This is a tough age, sometimes they just play and sometimes they rove around bored and testy.

OP here and that’s what I am trying to plan for. It’s a mix of good friends and a couple she doesn’t know as well so I am mildly concerned there might be some awkwardness. There have been several things that she has said she knows a few of them will like, but nothing that is definitely a fit for everyone.

It’s probably too big of a group (long story) but here we are. I’m sure it’s going to be fine.

[Anonymous]

I’d just ask your DD what she would like to do for snacks/drinks, & if she needs you to pick anything else up.

Usually, they have their own plans.

I will say that in 5th grade my DD and her friends liked baking (nothing complicated- just cookies etc) but not typically in a large group. Sometimes minor food projects or food as entertainment can be fun at that age (cookie decorating, make your own sundae bar, or whatever) but totally depends on the crowd.

5th grade is hard in this respect because it seems some of the girls start to act very “tween” while others are very much still kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d just ask your DD what she would like to do for snacks/drinks, & if she needs you to pick anything else up.

Usually, they have their own plans.

I will say that in 5th grade my DD and her friends liked baking (nothing complicated- just cookies etc) but not typically in a large group. Sometimes minor food projects or food as entertainment can be fun at that age (cookie decorating, make your own sundae bar, or whatever) but totally depends on the crowd.

5th grade is hard in this respect because it seems some of the girls start to act very “tween” while others are very much still kids.

+1

[Anonymous]

Karaoke machine.

[Anonymous]

Pre bake cookies and have them decorate them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:your daughter should be figuring this out. she's ten.

Really, ten is a little kid.

[Anonymous]

Bake dem cookies

[Anonymous]

Cookie baking/decorating is a good one. Friendship bracelets too. You can look up simple instructions online and make them with just embroidery floss basically.

[Anonymous]

Decorating something with fabric pens is another idea. Pillowcases, aprons, tote bags, etc. Just be sure you have some cardboard or posterboard to put inside the item so it doesn't bleed through to the other side.

[Anonymous]

They’ll figure it out but if not, cooking - baking or making pizzas, karaoke, jewelry making.

[Anonymous]

Prebake sugar cookies and have them decorate them.
I’d have an easy craft project available as well. Look on Pinterest for ideas.

[Anonymous]

I guess I’m between the other posters. 10 (or 11) is young enough that having a back pocket (or even front pocket) activity is a good idea, but your DD should 100% plan it.

We had an 11 kid 5th grade sleepover and DD asked for personality quiz type books (think 17 or YM style from when I was a kid). It was a huge hit for a group running the spectrum from calls me mom to has never come over before.