How long is a 5 yo play date?

[Anonymous]

We are invited to a play date tomorrow at someone’s house. Our kids are in preschool together. They are both five-year-old boys, or almost 5-year-old boys. It has been a long time since I have done a play date like this. Typically our play dates are done with people who we have friendship with as far as the adults are concerned. What is an appropriate duration for a 10 AM start? One hour? Two hours? Just let it flow? When people come to my house, it usually ends up being 10 to 12, and then I end up ordering pizza because everybody’s hungry.

[Anonymous]

In that situation I’d research someplace close to the play date for lunch in case there’s no sign lunch will be served and I’d leave around 11:45. But I’d have flexibility to stay through lunch if invited.

[Anonymous]

We usually do 2-3 hrs.

[Anonymous]

Wait, are you staying for the play date? Your description of hosting sounds more like a family gathering. I think of a play date of just kids. From what you describe, I would ask the mother if she wants you to stay. If she does, give her an approximate time you will have to leave for errands, etc.

[Anonymous]

2 hours. 3 if you want to serve lunch.

If it is a first time drop off, I would do 1.5 hours.

[Anonymous]

I just realized it was a preschool play date so probably parents staying. 2-3 hours seems appropriate.

[Anonymous]

1.5 hours.

[Anonymous]

2 hours. More if you're eating lunch and it runs over.

If I'm hosting a playdate because the other mom really needs childcare, it will go longer. But the kids might get tired and lose the ability to play well together, so I'd plan on a little TV, reading to them, or doing some other more structured activity that doesn't require a lot of self-regulation.

[Anonymous]

1.5 - 2 hours. They may offer lunch, or they want you to leave before lunch. I'd plan to have lunch at home, but I also typically bring a snack with me as a hostess-type gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are you staying for the play date? Your description of hosting sounds more like a family gathering. I think of a play date of just kids. From what you describe, I would ask the mother if she wants you to stay. If she does, give her an approximate time you will have to leave for errands, etc.

This. At almost 5, we had mostly drop off play dates. 1-2 hours is plenty depending how well they play together. Check with the mom what time would be good to pick kid up. If you’re staying, still good to double check how long play date will be. They may have other plans after the play date. Also, don’t assume lunch, just because it’s 10-11 or 10-11:30 or 10-12. If the other family hasn’t mentioned anything about lunch till now, they probably are not including you in lunch plans. In any case, make sure you pick up or leave by 11:45 at the latest.