28 Places to Host a Play Date (Other Than Your House)
Some Moms simply aren’t able to host playgroups at their homes. They just don’t have enough room, they don’t have a lot of toys for older kids and others (like me) worry about what other Moms in the club will think of their house. “Yes, I’ve lived here for years and my walls and windows are STILL bare. Also 90% of my furniture is collapsible and I haven’t weeded my garden beds since… what year is it?” And please don’t get me started on the cleaning – both before and after each playdate. *shudder*
So below is a starting point of activity ideas and locations but don’t feel limited to this list! Check out your city’s Chamber of Commerce website or go on Groupon or Living Social for more regional specific ideas. I know here in York PA we also have tons of factory tours (Harley-Davidson, pretzel factories, Turkey Hill ice cream, etc) that kids would love plus the Gettysburg battlegrounds are nearby for a ghost tour or a history lesson.
- Your local library
- A park
- Bounce house centers
- The mall (shopping, stroller walk or indoor play zone)
- Indoor play gym or playground (i.e. – gymnastics tumbling center, trampoline bounce)
- Local gardens or nature centers
- Community rec centers
- Casual restaurants (fast food restaurants with indoor play gyms like Chick-Fil-A and McDonalds are great)
- Bookstore for story time and coffee
- Zoo’s & aquariums
- A museum (science, childrens, art, etc)
- Splash pads or public swimming pools
- Local farms & orchards
- Country clubs (if you’re a member)
- Candy and ice cream shops
- A bowling alley
- Roller or ice skating rink
- Coffee & breakfast shops
- Kid-friendly art & pottery studios
- Movie theaters
- Indoor fun centers (like Dave & Busters, Chuck E Cheese, laser tag, arcades)
- Nearby caverns, lakes, beaches, and boardwalks
- Have lunch in a restaurant at a train station or visit a train museum
- Farmer’s markets
- Mini golf courses and batting cages
- Petting zoos
- Amusement parks (probably not inexpensive)
- A community sports arena to watch a game
Did I miss anything? I’d love to hear your ideas! Please leave a comment below with anything else you’d like to add to this list.