Playdate Theme Activities
Playskills Home Playdates/Playgroups Playdate Themes
See the Links page for websites with many playdate themes and activities.
"Treasure" Hunt. This can be modified to almost any theme and the kids
generally really like it. Hide the 'treasure' and then place the series of
clues around the house. Label each clue with ONE child's name. Each clue should
lead to the next. Instruct the children to follow the clue child but they
cannot find the clue or race ahead. They have to wait for their clue. This
activity has helped us teach turn taking, observational learning, rooms,
prepositions, and directions.
Playdough. Use small plastic figurines that correspond to the
theme along with the playdough. Add in whatever playdough tools you have on
hand or can improvise with. You can add extract to make it scented. You can add
food coloring to homemade playdough (Magic Mixtures) or use washable tempera paint if you need odd
colors or black.
Obstacle course. This activity can be modified to several themes.
You can mark the points along the course with shapes made from felt. You can
use numbers to show the order or you can do a follow the leader type activity.
Water Play. My
child loves any sort of water activity.
Bubbles
Sprinklers
Slip and Slide
Sailing boats in outdoor wading pool
Fishing type activities
I'm thinking Game
Put theme related objects or holiday decorations in a bag. Do an "I'm thinking" or a "guess" drill. (I'm thinking of something you put Christmas presents under and decorate). Have the children take turns guessing. Take the object out of the bag when they guess the item.