Everything you need to get playdate ready this back to school

Consider this your playdate checklist.

The start of the new year ushers in so many activities for our little ones, including the return of the playdate.

Playdates are excellent for our children's social development, allowing them to blow off some steam with their pals and engage in some good old-fashioned fun.

If you're a newbie to playdates, or you just want to update your playdate game, we've got some great tips to help you get playdate ready.

Ensure you have the essentials

When welcoming a new child into your home, ensure you've got everything you need to keep them safe. Swap contact information with their parents, and ensure you're aware of any medical issues or food allergies the child may have. Now is also a great time to check that your first-aid kit is well stocked!

Make some rainy day plans

Ideally, your little ones will be running around the park or garden, but with the Irish weather being unpredictable at best, it's important to have a back-up plan. Riffle through your stock of board games, have your child's Lego collection ready to go or maybe even plan an indoor scavenger hunt.

Prepare a meal they'll love

HelloFresh has plenty of kid-approved recipes to choose from, so you'll be able to quickly whip up an easy meal for your little ones. Here's a crowd-pleasing recipe that will have them racing to the dinner table in no time.

HelloFresh is currently giving HerFamily readers an exclusive offer of 50% off your first box if you use the code HER50 at checkout. Follow the link here and get started on choosing meals your kids will adore.

Look forward to more playdates in the future

The great thing about playdates is that they tend to be reciprocal. Once your guest leaves happy and fed, you can look forward to an afternoon to yourself once they return the favour!