My 5th grader has banned that word from our house.

They are now called hang outs.

Anonymous wrote:Op, you better stop using the word "playdate". Soon anyway. Too childish.

I’ve always hated that word. Especially past the preschool years.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? We do most playdates at home but I have taken kids to the pool, to the movies, to Chick fil a, butler’s orchard….

Do you offer to take them in your car?

Yes I drive them. We got a car with a third row to allow carpooling and driving friends. If our kids are invited somewhere then those parents drive. It’s fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? We do most playdates at home but I have taken kids to the pool, to the movies, to Chick fil a, butler’s orchard….

Do you offer to take them in your car?

Not the pp. the parents who are available drive. I just responded but I have a social 12yo. He has a group of 6 boys who often hang out. Sometimes they hang out at houses. Other times they try to organize an outing and whoever is available goes. We live close together so one parent may pick up 3-4 boys who all live 1-2 miles from one another. Often the kids start at someone’s house and they move to the pool or mall or restaurant. They need transportation and ask for rides.

Why not at the house?

I have 3 kids. At around age 12, my older kids would go to the mall and get bubble tea. I know tween girls love to hang out at Sephora and ulta.

I sometimes take my middle school kid and his friends to an outing like the movies or to get ice cream or bubble tea. I usually drop off because I also have a 7 year old.

Anonymous wrote:Where are you? We do most playdates at home but I have taken kids to the pool, to the movies, to Chick fil a, butler’s orchard….

Do you offer to take them in your car?

By fifth, they texted and figured it out for themselves. We live in a neighborhood where the school and pool are easily walkable

why can't they happen in your house?

Bring bikes, skateboards, skates, scooters to the park
Library and playground
Climbzone
Movie
Swimming pool
Bowling
The Board and Brew
Get Rita's or ice cream or boba

Op, you better stop using the word "playdate". Soon anyway. Too childish.

Anonymous wrote:My 5th grade DS has started meeting his friends at a park to play football. He coordinates it through chat on the family ipad, and he has a Gizmo so we can communicate with each other.

This is what 5th grade looked like for my DS as well. It started as a mom organized thing, but eventually became organized by the kids and they'd meet at the park with footballs, basketballs and lacrosse sticks.

My 5th grade DS has started meeting his friends at a park to play football. He coordinates it through chat on the family ipad, and he has a Gizmo so we can communicate with each other.

Why wouldn't they happen at the house? Do the kids want to go somewhere? Then if time and money allow, take them. I don't understand why this requires help from strangers for an adult to coordinate.

Where are you? We do most playdates at home but I have taken kids to the pool, to the movies, to Chick fil a, butler’s orchard….

How do playdates work in 5th grade if they don't happen in the house?

DD has a school friend who she wants to get together with.