With the weather getting colder and families getting busier, it’s important to channel your energy into making playtime with your kids a priority. There are plenty of ways to make sure your children will be entertained for hours during the freezing winter months, and you might be surprised just how little effort it takes. Here are tips to host the best play dates for kids all winter long.

Source Your Toys

Start by getting out your child’s age-appropriate toys and games, and then check for any missing pieces. If you’re looking for more specific ideas, check out our post on how to make playdate games for kids.

Prepare Yourself

Arrange the toys in a fun way, so that when your children come over they won’t be too distracted by picking up toys from all over the room. Have a few planned activities ready to go and make sure you have enough food and drinks on hand to keep your guests happy.

Invite Your Friends

Boredom can be a killer when you’re trying to entertain kids, so it’s important to have at least 2 or 3 other households over. This allows everyone to get involved in the playtime, while letting parents take a breather or get some alone time.

Be Creative

Use your imagination to make the best out of indoor play during cold weather. Let your kids run around, build forts and set up obstacle courses. Be sure to change things up from time to time so that the kids don’t get bored with their routine.

Get Outside

The winter can be tough for kids who live in colder climates, but that’s no reason why they can’t get outside. If your yard isn’t too big, you can set up obstacle courses for them to run around. If it’s too big, offer to let them play in the snow.

Let Them Sleep Over

One great way to keep your children entertained is by letting them sleep over at your house or vice versa. This way you’ll only have to entertain them for a few hours instead of all day, and you can always make it fun with sleepover games like truth or dare.