What to Do on Play Dates for 4-Year-Olds?

Pretend Play

• The typical 4-year-old is able to create a fantasy world of play, says HealthyChildren.org. Her imagination is big and vibrant right now, which is why you're so often asked to pretend to be a dragon princess who is also a firefighter on Mars. Put a few imaginative 4-year-olds together and they'll happily pretend a few hours away. Provide a bin of dress-up clothes and some possible props like magazines, plastic bowls and paper bags and let the kids make their own fun. If they're having trouble getting started, offer some suggestions. A collection of stuffed animals and a play doctor kit could be the start of a veterinarian's office, while some office supplies could inspire the children to start their own pretend post office.

Games

• By 4, a child is typically able to take turns and lose somewhat gracefully. She's now ready to play games with a friend, so a stack of age-appropriate board games can provide hours of entertainment when the weather prevents outdoor play. You'll probably need to keep watch to settle the occasional squabble over whose turn it is and to explain the rules. When the little ones can't sit still any longer, blow up a balloon and challenge them to keep it in the air for as long as possible by tapping it back and forth, or draw your preschooler's favorite animal on a big sheet of paper taped to the wall and play a spontaneous game of Pin the Horn on the Unicorn.

Physical Activities

• You know better than anyone that 4-year-olds have seemingly limitless energy, especially when they're excited about a play date. When the weather cooperates, head outdoors. On hot days, ask that play date friends bring bathing suits. Turn the hose on at a low stream and try to spray the children as they run back and forth, or fill a sandbox or plastic containers with water, ice cubes, sponges and toys and let them make their own fun. Hand over sidewalk chalk for free drawing, or sketch a hopscotch course on the driveway. In winter, shovel a maze through snow and challenge kids to find their way to the center. Treasure hunts, obstacle courses and bowling or soccer with foam balls are also age-appropriate, says KidsHealth.org, and work both outdoors and indoors.

Field Trips

• No rule states that a play date has to happen at home. To make the day a truly special one, load another car seat into your backseat and take the little ones out for an adventure. (Field trips work best with only two or maybe three 4-year-olds; any more and you'll be grateful to have another adult to help supervise.) Skip the usual playground and head someplace they don't know as well. Go pick berries or apples at a local farm, take a walk through the woods at the closest state park or give them each a few dollars to spend at the farmers market. A play date away from home keeps your house clean and gives the little ones an exciting memory -- but always get permission from your visitor's parents first.