Where to Hold Winter Playdate's for Your Children

As the organizer of a local mom's group, I'm often looking for new places for us to take our children during the day. The most ideal situation would be a place that is safe and child-friendly with lots of room for the children to exert their energy. If you, too, are looking for a place to take your child, whether alone or with friends, look into the following:.

In-House Playdates:

I love opening up my home to my friend's and their children. I keep the numbers small as not to overwhelm myself. Three friends and their children seem to be the perfect number for me personally. This enables my 2 1/2-year-old son time to play with his friends and it gives me the much-needed adult interation for my day as well. On the flip-side, I also love attending playdates in my friend's homes. All the benefits of social interaction for both me and my son without the cleaning up afteward :)

Indoor Playspaces:

A great place to hold a playdate is in an indoor playspace. Normally found in and around cities and larger towns, these are places that offer indoor play for children, whether it be bounce houses, climbing structures, or just simply offering toys and arts and crafts for their use. You'll be charged a fee for your child to play and many places offer packages that you can purchase which may be the way to go if you know you'll be attending this particular playspace frequently.

Malls:

Many malls can be quite child-friendly. The mall we frequent has a playarea for children that's just wonderful and very safe. Many malls have stores that children may enjoy, like the Disney Store and toy stores. Particular malls also have ride-on toys for the children as well. If you've got younger children that enjoy walking in the stroller, this may be a great choice for you. Not only can you allow the children to play, but you can take a walk around the mall and get some of that adult conversation and exercise in as well.

Libraries:

Many libraries offer a children's room. Here you'll find such things as books and puzzles as well as toys. Libraries can be a great place to meet with other moms and their children. You can choose a day when the children's room has nothing on their calendar so it may be rather quiet, or you can choose to attend a story hour with the children. Either way, this can be a great local meeting place.

Coffee Houses:

Many coffee houses, especially larger ones, offer a comfortable area of couches and chairs that make for a great area to meet at. I often take my children (2 1/2 and 4 months) to our local coffee houses to meet up with other moms and their children. I take along a bag of toys and books and my son sits on the couch with me or plays on the floor or at a table with his friends while I'm able to interact with the other moms a bit. I find this to be an especially ideal location for baby playdates.

Bookstores:

Bookstores can be a wonderful place for a playdate. Many offer such things as train tables or play areas for children and then, of course, there are multiple age-appropriate books for the children to read. Some offer cafe's where you can grab a drink or a snack, and some also offer storytimes that you can attend.

Winter can most definitely be a time where you ache to get out of the house with the children and are desperate to get together with your friends and allow the children some social stimulation as well as an outlet for their pent-up energy. These places may be just what you need.