What to Serve on a Playdate: Easy Menu ideas.

I love having people over for a playdate - it's a win-win situation. I'm providing a happy environment for my children and their friends - while getting some much needed adult company: talking to their friends' mothers. My general rule for entertaining people in my house is this: I want to enjoy myself as much as my guests. This means - I don't want to worry about preparing things or tidying up while my guests are over - there is time enough for this before or after their visit.

One of the things I've done to make playdates hassle-free is to come up with a "no-brainer menu" of snack food that I can serve during the playdate - minimal fuss for me, but something that will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. (tip: always ask if your guests have any food allergies/dietary restrictions and adapt your menu accordingly. My menu may include seafood or nuts, but I could easily substitute these dishes for others)

MAIN DISH: Pasta or Sandwiches

Source: Pioneer Woman Cooks

For pasta I either make a simple Chicken Alfredo pasta or a Shrimp Penne with Tomato Cream sauce. If I'm making sandwiches - I take inspiration from English Afternoon Tea sandwiches and make crustless finger sandwiches (fillings could include: Cucumber & Cream cheese, Smoked Salmon & Cream cheese or Egg Mayo)

FRUIT: Apples or Grapes

Source: Pinterest

SALTY: Chips or Pretzels

Source: Food Gal

DESSERT: Brownies or Cookies

Source: President's Choice

I've been obessed with these brownies ever since I tried them at my friend's house. When I emailed her to ask for the recipe - she told me that these were ready to bake - you just pop them in the oven! They taste home-made and oh-so-good! They have a pecan-free chocolate version if your guests have nut allergies.

DRINK: Lemonade or Apple Juice

Source: Pinterest

The only thing I have to prepare is the main dish - the other items I just have to serve up in pretty dishes - and get ready to enjoy our social time.


What are some no-brainer menus that work for your family?

Homemade train "table"

My children LOVE Thomas the Tank Engine - they've even managed to make me a fan of the show and the toys. There is something so old-fashioned and timeless about playing with trains and track. The twins started accumulating Thomas trains when they were two, and although I knew that I would eventually get them a train table, I wanted something simple and fun for them to play with in the meanwhile.

 I drew an Island of Sodor map on the inside of a diaper box and coloured it in with crayons and markers. My husband "laminated" it using packaging tape. The map was a HUGE hit with the twins - they loved guiding their trains around the track and visiting familiar Sodor sites. I loved the fact that it was easy to store I could fold it up and slip it behind the dresser when it was not in use.

This was a very quick and easy craft. I guess if I were to do it again, I would have printed out and coloured pictures of the Sodor sites rather than drawing them free-hand - still, the twinnies did like the simple shapes and basic colours of the map, so I didn't do too badly.

Making reading interactive

Kids love being able to play with characters they see on TV or read about in books - but there is a simple home-made way to let them interact with characters from books.

When my kids were toddlers, they loved reading "Spot the Dog" books. I traced some of the characters for them, and they would move them from page to page as I read the book to them. You can see my son holding a paper Spot at the top of the picture.

My twins loved having their own little Spot to hold - and I loved the fact that I wasn't creating clutter by purchasing related toys that they would play with for only a little while.