Looking for fun play date ideas? Here are our 24 favorite ideas for a successful play date with 5 year olds! These play ideas work well for one on one play dates or as play group ideas.

Image shows a compilation of playdate activities for 5 year olds and older kids. Ideas from different sources
Your little one will have a great time!

Best Playdate Ideas For Young Children

Coming up with creative ways and new activities to do with little kids might seem like hard work, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Sometimes, a little bit of planning, a couple of video games, or a visit to the local park is more than enough to make a new friend. Today we are sharing with you the best way to plan a play date with kids who are 5 years old, although many of these ideas can be adapted for kids of all ages.

So next time you have a play date coming up, just take a look at this list, and we’re sure that you’ll find a good idea for you to do with your child’s friends. Let’s get ready for a good time!

Play Ideas for Play Dates

Image shows a with a spray bottle doing color spray-science activity. Idea from Kids Activities Blog
Let’s start with a science activity.

1. Color Spray – Science through Art for Kids

This Color Spray science experiment is simple enough that preschoolers can do it at home easily, and older kids can find it entertaining for hours too.

Image shows two toilet roll paper ninja crafts to do with preschoolers. Idea from Kids activities blog
Making a ninja craft is a super unique idea.

2. Let’s Make Toilet Roll Ninjas – Cutest Toilet Paper Roll Craft Ever

This ninja toilet paper roll craft is great for kids of all ages, but preschoolers and kindergarten kids will especially love using a little imagination to make these super cute ninjas!

Image shows a kid playing on a giant outdoor snakes and stairs game on the floor. Idea from The Craftables
Looking for outdoor activities? We’ve got them.

3. Giant Snakes and Ladders Game!

This activity does take a couple of days to plan and requires a large play area, but once you make it, your kids will have so much fun – for days and days! From The Craftables.

Image shows some snacks and smores for an outdoor scavenger hunt idea with playdates. Idea from Clean and Scentsible
Here’s a fun way to work on social skills too.

4. Outdoor Scavenger Hunt and S’mores Printables

Scavenger hunts are always a great idea! The best part is that you can play this with any number of kids no matter where you are – a backyard is more than enough! From Clean & Scentsible.

Image shows three colored pool noodles on the backyard for a pool noodle game. Idea from Mission to save
This is perfect for a first play date.

5. DIY Pool Noodle Games- No Water Needed! (Alternative Uses for Pool Noodles)

If you have some pool noodles but no water around, don’t worry! There are plenty of creative ideas you can try with them at home that will keep children entertained for hours. From Mission To Save.

Image shows DIY marshmallow shooter crafts to play with friends. Idea from Happiness is homemade
Let’s have a marshmallow battle!

6. Marshmallow Shooters

To make this fun craft, you’ll need a bit of planning and some materials you can buy at the local Home Depot. But the best part is that you can reuse it as many times as needed to play during the whole summer! From Happiness is Homemade.

Image shows a I spy activity to play with several kids. idea from Mess for less
Get the free printables for this activity.

7. Learn Through Movement: Reading – I Spy Neighborhood Walk

Print the worksheets and gather your children for this I spy neighborhood walk. This activity can be played with younger children and older kids alike. From Mess For Less.

Image shows a concrete outdoor floor with brushes and a cup of water, and a kid water painting. Idea from All for the boys

8. Water Painting – Simple Summer Activity

You don’t need a lot to have fun – some brushes, water, and kids willing to play are more than enough! Try this water painting idea from All For The Boys.

Image shows a garden tea party from Classy Clutter
Let’s set up your kitchen table for a nice tea party.

9. Garden Tea Party

Take a look at these creative ideas for a garden tea party with friends. It’s perfect for birthday parties and a special child’s play date. From Classy Clutter.

Image shows coloreful smoke bombs on the sidewalk. Idea from Growing a jeweled rose
Take a look at this variation of sidewalk chalk.

10. Sidewalk Smoke Bombs

Make sidewalk smoke bombs using a simple recipe for play. You can make rainbow clouds – just follow the easy tutorial! From Growing a Jeweled Rose.

Image shows a group of girls sitting on water blobs on a backyard. Idea from Hello Wonderful
Children can play with these mini water blobs any time of day!

11. How To Make Mini Water Blobs

Have you heard of water blobs? They’re plastic sheeting filled with water you can make for kids to slip and side on for some awesome water fun. Here you can learn how to make one! From Hello Wonderful.

Image shows two bubble wrap rollers for printing. Idea from Art bar blog
Try an art project too.

12. Bubble Wrap Roller Printing

 Want some art activities? Just wrap a few rollers with bubble wrap, put out some paint, and cover your table with paper. Your kids will be all ready to make some art! From Art Bar Blog.

Image shows a glowing fairy bottle DIY activity from Bitz n Giggles
Did you know you can make your own fairy bottle?

13. Glowing Fairy Bottle 

A beautiful glittery, water-filled jar that illuminates and glows in the dark. Making this simple craft will mesmerize both older children and younger kids! From Bitz N Giggles.

Image shows eggs filled with paint for a playdate activity. Idea from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Try this fun activity with your little ones!

14. Paint Filled Eggs

Fill some eggs with paint and toss them on canvas to make amazing pieces of art. It’s easier than you’d expect, and kids will have an absolute blast. From Growing a Jeweled Rose.

Image shows three mason jar aquariums on top of a table. Idea from Hello Wonderful
These mason jar aquariums are so adorable!

15. Make a Mason Jar Aquarium

Kids will have a great time making this super fun and easy craft, and it is a great way to send kids home from a playdate with a treasure they created themselves. From Hello Wonderful.

Image shows a set of toilet roll car crafts. Idea from Be a Fun Mum
A fun activity no matter the age group.

16. Toilet Roll Cars: Printable

This activity is a sure way to keep the kids entertained for a long time while they make these cars and play with them with lego figures or dolls. From Be A Fun Mum.

Image shows a little girl with DIY jelly bean jewelry
Making your own jewelry is always a lot of fun.

17. Jelly Bean Jewelry

Besides being so fun to make, this jelly bean jewelry idea doubles as a sensory play and sorting activity. Crafting with candy is so fun! From Messes To Memories.

Image shows four preschoolers painting on a large canvas outside. Idea from Bloveley Events
Why not try painting too?

18. Throw A Lovely Art Party!

Here is a super fun and creative outlet for your kids. What child doesn’t love to color?! It’s a great end of a playdate. From B. Lovely Events.

Image shows a DIY box city. Idea from Learn with play at home
Make your own box city.

19. Create a Box City. Cutting practice and creativity for kids with Free Printable Doors and Windows

Let’s use recycled materials to make a box city. This activity helps develop cutting skills, creativity, and imagination. From Learn With Play At Home.

Image shows a crayon art sculpture. Idea from Meri Cherry
Give this new activity a try!

20. Crayon Art Sculpture

Here is an easy art project for kids.  All you need is a box of crayons (paper wrapper must remain on) and a glue gun. From Meri Cherry.

Image shows a preschooler holding a fox DIY cup. Idea from Simple as that blog
Isn’t this cup so cute?

21. Woodland Creature Cup Crafts

These adorable, budget-friendly woodland creature cup crafts are so fun to make and can be used for anything from classroom parties to decorations for your Thanksgiving table. From Simple As That blog.

Image shows different DIY washi tape wooden bracelets. Idea from Mama miss
Make some cute friendship bracelets!

22. diy: Washi Tape Wooden Bracelets

These bracelets take some days to make, but the result is worth it. Perfect for a sleepover playdate with kids. And they are so beautiful! From Mama Miss.

Image shows two boys painting with their feet on a big piece of paper. Idea from Homegrown Friends
Children will love painting with their feet!

23. Painting With Feet

Simple feet paintings are so much fun, and you end up with gorgeous paintings that we often turn into homemade wrapping paper. From Homegrown Friends.

Image shows a dancing ribbon ring. Idea from Laughing Kids Learn
Who doesn’t love dancing?!

24. How To Make Dancing Ribbon Rings

Dancing ribbon rings promote physical exercise and ignite imagination and play. It’s so easy to learn how to make them and you only need a couple of materials! From Laughing Kids Learn.

Want more fun activities for preschoolers? Try these:

Which of the playdate activities for 5 year olds are you going to try first? Which activity is your favorite?



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