Preschool Playgroup Advice: 10 Fun Indoor Play Date Ideas

Play dates help children learn to socialize, share, and just have fun with other kids their age. Play dates may help boost your child's social skills and much more. Interacting with other children can help improve his/her overall development and stimulate his/her imagination.

They also provide an opportunity for moms to network with others. If you are searching for fun ideas for your child's next indoor play date, here are 10 ideas to consider. These activities will create lots of fun memories and add variety to the playgroup. Be sure to take several pictures!

This activity is perfect for children ages 2 and above. The downside is you might have a little mess to clean up, but it's amusing and will be time well spent. You can purchase some play-doh of different colors and let their imaginations go wild.

To add some fun, buy a play-doh kit where they can squeeze, shape, and build it. You might add in some cookie cutters and other objects to help enhance their creativity. Another idea is to make edible play dough, which would provide a fun twist.

This one is kind of silly, but the kids will really enjoy it. Collect instruments / musical toys. that you already own. Then mix in homemade instruments such as a skillet / bowl with a spoon, bottle filled with rice or beans, a drum, etc.

If you want you can play background music, then have all children make their own music. It's something different that they'll enjoy. It probably won't last long though, so be sure to have lots of toys for them to play with afterwards.

If feasible, try to create at least two of each homemade instrument. This might prevent fights over one instrument.

This one might create a mess too, but it's fun! Most children love to paint and express themselves. You can purchase some inexpensive watercolor paints and paper. Be sure the children are wearing old clothes, cover the table with newspaper, and let their creativity run. For a creative twist, use homemade scratch 'n sniff paint, or fingerpaint.

Most cities and larger towns have a children's museum. Some have an indoor play area which can be very entertaining for little ones. This activity is kind of expensive, but it's provides great educational play time. To see if there is one near you, search online or click on this directory here.

Another excellent play date activity is to go to library story time together. The kids will like hearing a story (well hopefully they will), and it's a very easy and simple play date. You could also meet at a playground or park afterwards, or combine it with another activity.

This play date is best for children who can recognize their letters. Before the play date, hide various letters around the house. These letters could be printed off online, or you can find die cuts at local craft stores.

Instruct all children to try to find the letter that starts with "apple". Be sure to hide plenty of A's around the house! Then repeat with different letters. It is a memorable play group activity! Be sure to take pictures of the children with the letters they found.

Another entertaining play date idea is to make crafts together. If you need ideas, search online or check out a craft book at the library. You might also just browse an Arts 'n Crafts store for ideas.

This is great for younger children especially. You can build an indoor fort using a mattress, blankets, chairs and other furniture. Children will love playing in the temporary playhouse. You might even read a story in there with a flashlight if you want to. For a creative twist, allow them to hide glow sticks throughout the fort.

Okay, so this is not the healthiest choice! But it can be fun. Arrange for the play group to meet at an indoor fast food restaurant play places. Chic-Fil-A and McDonald's are usually the most popular ones. Try to meet fairly early in the day to avoid the crowds. It might be best to meet as early as 8 am for breakfast.

This one might be pricey, but it's terrific exercise and tons of fun. Nearly all cities and larger towns have an indoor inflatable jumper zone where kids can bounce around on inflatable jumpers. Most have open play time, and the kids will enjoy playing together in something new. If there's one in your area, you might give it a try.

These are just a few of the many possibilities available for fun indoor play dates. Happy socializing and playing! Enjoy!