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The woman who helped usher the interior design industry into full flower in the United States was prolific in putting out ideas that will help freshen up today's interior design business. Look at our latest Designer Monthly, Interior Design: Look Forward by Looking Back to Dorothy Draper.

Did you ever have a problem designing small spaces?  Take a look at how top interior designers solved this common problem in our latest Designer Monthly, How to Design Small Spaces at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House.

 

 

 

Friday
Sep302011

Fun in Your Home: Plan Fall Play Dates

 

 Megan Gates - You may be a Sheffield School student - as many working and at-home parents are. If that's the case, or even if you're an adult with children reading this post, you're probably aware that playdates can be lifesavers and welcome time-out or socializing sessions for grownups ... and there’s no doubt that playdates are beneficial to kids. No matter how old your children are, playdates encourage sharing, taking turns, and socializing with others. But when it’s time for you to host the playdate, it can be challenging to know what to do! While there’s no need to throw a party-like atmosphere, a little preparation can go a long way.

There are a few things you’ll want to handle prior to the playdate to ensure that you get started on a good note. First, make sure your child puts away any toys that he or she doesn’t want to share. You may also want to place a few activities within reach for the kids, such as those that encourage them to play together. Good examples include arts and crafts, puzzles and board games. And of course, make the playdate suitable for the ages of the children. If you’re inviting a toddler, 45 minutes is adequate. Even older kids can get overtired, so limit the playdate to 2 hours or less.

One of the best places for a playdate is outside! Not only do you minimize a messy house, but being outside always seems to make kids play better. Don’t think you need to arrange an outing at the park, either. Open up the sandbox, play a round of catch or drag out the soccer nets. This fall, it's fun to rake leaves and jump in the piles! Have fun treats on hand such as popsicles, frozen lemonade, apple cider, or fresh fruit slushies. You can even let the kids help make some of these fun treats.

While outdoor playdates are always a hit, the weather may not cooperate. And some kids simply don’t enjoy what the outdoor has to offer. As long as you don’t mind the mess, opt for an arts-and-crafts playdate. Take out the play-doh, fun cookie cutters, and plastic utensils. For added fun, bake the kids’ creations so that they harden. If you have an easel, let children paint with tempera paints. Or, simply set out coloring pages that can be printed online for free, along with crayons and markers.

You can also bake treats with the kids and take pictures to email to the other child’s parents. Have the ingredients for cookies or brownies measured out. Then let the kids mix the ingredients and wait for them to bake up. Just be sure that the child you're hosting doesn’t have any allergies you should know about. You can also let the kids pick their own ingredients such as white chocolate or milk chocolate chips, dried fruits, and different colored sprinkles.
 

If you have an active playdate on your hands, encourage the kids to build a fort. Drag out blankets and pillows, as well as old boxes and containers. Let the kids use plastic dishes and pots and pans to “cook” with inside their fort. Or let the kids put on a dress-up show and provide them with fun clothes, shoes, and jewelry to inspire their imaginations. Take pictures, upload them to the computer, and you can all make a slideshow with music. 

To bring the playdate to a close, clean up the toys and set out a quiet activity such as books.

 

Megan Gates is an active blogger who provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to New York Real EstateSuffolk Rentals, home improvement and the latest architecture, design and fashion. Follow her on twitter @MEGatesDesign.

 


Explore the Sheffield SchoolNew York, NY. Sheffield began as an Interior Design school in 1985, and then expanded our course offerings to train people in other design-related fields, including Feng ShuiWedding and Event Planningand Jewelry DesignWith thousands of active students and more than 50,000 graduates, Sheffield has trained more design professionals than any school in the world.

Reader Comments (15)

This is also a great idea for home-schooled kids. Bringing other kids or inviting one for a play date can stimulate your child more to learn.
September 30, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterMel Lifshitz
As a tutor of elementary and high school students and someone who works with kids every day, I wonder if we can be guilty of over directing their activities and their lives. It often seems to me that kids can figure it out if we allow them space and opportunities to figure it out without too much adult interference. Don't get me wrong, I too am guilty. My children are 17 and 18 and I don't think they have had more than a handful of arguments or disagreements. Sounds good on the surface, but could that be harmful in adulthood?
October 2, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterssat prep
I always enjoy setting up an outside area to let the kids water paint. This way they can be as messy as they want.
October 6, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterSan Antonio Real Estate
I`ll do it with my children on the next summer...
October 10, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterPlantas de Casas
Play dates can be a life saver! Great ideas!
October 16, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterHappy Child Guide
oh,my god,play dates! let's do it! I must get rid of my two angels sometime,hahahaha
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November 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterConstruction jobs
The Author have great job.playing date is good to my children,infact I'm fun of playing anyting else.
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November 24, 2011 | Unregistered Commenteroyunlar1
Please, can you email me and tell me few more thinks about this, I am really fan of your blog...
December 7, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterOPC Factor
Everything was looking at your article and it helped me a lot. I will spread the word about play dates and hopefully it will help other people as well.. good luck..!!
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December 25, 2011 | Unregistered Commentermacbook pro repair
Play dates! It is a lovely ideas for kids… they learn many things from it; they can learn to play in group and share new ideas with each other. They become more active from it.


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