At Smart Kids Day Nursery in Peckham, we understand the importance of young children socialising with their peers – it encourages them to build friendships, it helps them to learn in different ways, teaches them how to share and how to play with different toys and equipment. These play dates are an extension of what toddlers learn in a nursery setting, such as the one we provide in Peckham. If you’re new to the world of toddler playdates and are struggling for ideas and activities, you may find the following toddler playdate ideas, which were originally published on littleangels247.com, helpful when it comes to organising one…

Go to your local park
The local park is a great place to meet up with your playdate for some fresh air. There is lots to do for the children here, and also gives you the opportunity to meet even more parents, too!

Make some tasty snacks
Cooking or baking is a great way for children to feel more grown up and involved. It also helps them to build fine motor skills and can teach them a lot about nutrition. But most of all, it’s super fun to bake with friends.

You could bake some cupcakes and have a decorating session with icing and candy, or have the children create a snack platter using their favourite fruits and snacks. Whatever you choose to do, check with the other parent about allergies and dietary restrictions first.

Set out a sensory box
Sensory play is great for toddler development, and a fun activity to indulge in with a friend. The best part is, pretty much anything can go in a sensory box, so you will probably have lots lying around the house to use. Our sensory box recommendations include sand, coloured rice, shaving cream and beans. You should also add some scoopers, buckets and maybe even some plastic toys so the children can work on those fine motor skills too. Just be sure to keep a careful eye on children whilst they are using the sensory box, especially if any of the items are a choking hazard.

Build a fort
We’re sure that everyone remembers building a fort as a child, which is understandable as it’s just so fun! You can pretty much leave it to your toddler’s imagination. They could use pillows, blankets, cardboard boxes, and work as a team to build their den. Once the den is built, you can also fill it with some fun toys to play with. Your little ones will be in there for hours. It’s the perfect way to fill a rainy day or enjoy a cosy Sunday at home.

Go for a scenic walk
Playdates do not always have to be inside. It’s nice to get active and go for a stroll with a friend. You could even turn it into a scavenger hunt, and have the children look for items in wildlife. These could include flowers, grass, pinecones, sticks and rocks!

You can read the full article on littleangels247.com.

The team at Smart Kids Day Nursery in Peckham understand the importance of learning to socialise in a whole manner of settings and work with the children so that they are confident making new friends where they play, learn and grow together. If you’re interested in your child attending a nursery in Peckham where you will have complete confidence and peace of mind in the childcare provided, then contact our team today and take a look at our 3D Virtual Tour. You can also book an appointment to view our first class nursery.