playdates
Scheduled childhood socializing
Playdates are scheduled times for children to play together, typically arranged by parents.
The term emerged as childhood became more structured and supervised—less roaming the neighborhood, more coordinated socializing: We have a playdate at the park on Saturday.
Adults sometimes use it humorously for their own social plans: The guys are coming over for a playdate.
Very young children
- preschoolersChildren aged three to five
- kindergartnersFirst-year elementary students
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
- caregiversThose who tend others
parents · playroom · naptime · sharing · toys · snacks · activities · storytime
Handmade artistic works
- gamesOrganized competitive activities
- dress-upPlay involving costumes
- coloringAdding pigment to something
- puzzlesProblems designed to challenge
building blocks · sandbox · swings · hide-and-seek · tag · pretend play · tea parties · Legos
Forming close connections
- friendshipBond of mutual affection
- companionshipState of having company
- socializationInternalizing cultural norms
- interactionReciprocal action between parties
connections · inclusion · rapport · acquaintances · meetups · gatherings · hosting · neighbors
Requests to attend
- calendarDate-tracking system
- availabilityState of being obtainable
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- carpoolingShared vehicle commuting
pickup · dropoff · timing · weekends · afterschool · duration · reciprocating · cancellations
toddlers
Very young children
- preschoolersChildren aged three to five
- kindergartnersFirst-year elementary students
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
caregivers · parents · playroom · naptime · sharing · toys · snacks · activities · storytime · safety
crafts
Handmade artistic works
- gamesOrganized competitive activities
- dress-upPlay involving costumes
- coloringAdding pigment to something
puzzles · building blocks · sandbox · swings · hide-and-seek · tag · pretend play · tea parties · Legos · Play-Doh
bonding
Forming close connections
- friendshipBond of mutual affection
- companionshipState of having company
- socializationInternalizing cultural norms
interaction · connections · inclusion · rapport · acquaintances · meetups · gatherings · hosting · neighbors · classmates
invitations
Requests to attend
- calendarDate-tracking system
- availabilityState of being obtainable
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
carpooling · pickup · dropoff · timing · weekends · afterschool · duration · reciprocating · cancellations · rescheduling
- childhoodchildhood, baby, child, kid, toys
- family supportchildcare, eldercare, caregiving, home care, respite care
- parentinggentle parenting, child, mom, children, kids
- toddlerstoddler, three-year-old, toddlerhood, terrible twos, first steps
- childhood friendshipbest friends, playmates, sharing, birthday parties, sleepovers
- baby playpeek-a-boo, peekaboo, pat-a-cake, patty-cake, rattles
playdatesisolation
Complete separation from others
screen time · loneliness · staying in · antisocial behavior · seclusion
playdateslatchkey kids
Children caring for themselves after school
independence · autonomy · benign neglect · helicopter parenting