Playdates are an excellent chance for your kid to socialize with their peers and to get out some of their extra energy (not to mention it gives the parents a respite to catch up). Since playdates are normally casual affairs, held at someone’s house or a playground, you don’t have to worry too much about your child’s outfit. However, you should put a little thought into what they’re wearing so they can stay comfortable and cute throughout the playdate. Here are our top tips for putting together playdate outfits for toddlers.
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Prioritize Comfort and Practicality.
Yes, we know it’s tempting to want to make your kids look as cute as possible for their playdates. After all, you want to make a good impression on their friends (and their friends’ parents)! However, you don’t want your child to have to worry about ruining their clothing during the playdate or to forget what they’re wearing and stain or rip a nice garment. Leave their nicest clothes at home and put them in casual but cute clothes that are practical and comfortable. Your kids should be able to move around in the clothes, and they shouldn’t be so nice or expensive that you’ll be upset if they get messed up.
Take a Change of Clothes.
When heading to a playdate, it’s not a bad idea to send your child with an extra set of cute toddler girl clothes or cute toddler boy clothes. You never know when your kid might spill something on themselves or otherwise get into a situation that necessitates a change of clothes. If you don’t already keep a spare outfit for them in the car, then pack some extra clothes in the playdate bag so you’ll be prepared no matter what. If you’re dropping your kid off, then leave the bag at your friend’s house so they’ll have it in case of an emergency.
Select Dark Colors.
We love light, bright colors as much as the next person, especially during the spring and summer. Unfortunately, because these colors are on the lighter side, they also show stains and dirt really prominently. Even if you treat the stain, it might not come completely out of pastel garments. As such, you should select darker colors such as black, navy and brown instead when dressing your child for a playdate. If you really want to put your child in a light-colored garment, white fabric will be the easiest to bleach if it does get stained because you don’t have to worry about taking the color out of it.
Go For All-In-One Outfits.
Sometimes, putting together a bunch of separates to create one cohesive outfit is just too much effort. That’s why we recommend all-in-one outfits such as jumpsuits, rompers and overalls. These clothes look super cute on kids of all ages and make it super easy to get dressed for a playdate on the fly. With these styles, you also don’t have to worry about their pants falling down because the straps on the top hold them up. This means that your kid can run, jump and tumble without having to worry about their clothing accidentally coming off.
Opt for Denim.
Denim is a classic for a reason — it goes with everything, it can be dressed up or down and it is extremely durable. When dressing your child for a playdate, you simply can’t go wrong with a pair of blue jeans and a simple cotton t-shirt. You can also combine denim with other trends on this list, such as jean jackets and denim overalls. If you think that your child will be running around outside a lot or otherwise being very active during their playdate, denim is an especially good choice because the fabric is very hard to tear and it doesn’t usually pill.
Put Leggings Under Skirts.
Some kids love to wear dresses and skirts to every occasion, and yours might insist on wearing cute little girl’s dresses to their playdate. If your kid plans to wear a dress, have them put some leggings underneath it so they don’t have to worry about keeping their skirt down as they run around. The leggings will also protect their legs if they are playing outside. We also recommend putting your kids in pants vs. shorts for this same reason. (And if your kid loves leggings, but hates skirts, then pair the leggings with a sweater for a casual playdate outfit.)
Choose Their Shoes Carefully.
Just as with clothes, you should leave their best shoes at home. Basically, don’t have them wear any shoes that you don’t want to get dirty. We also recommend leaving open-toed shoes at home, as these don’t provide sufficient protection for their feet. Instead, opt for a classic tennis shoe, or a sturdy boot if it’s wintertime. Closed-toed tennis shoes will protect their feet and provide a non-slip sole that will help prevent falls. Because of the laces, tennis shoes are also more difficult to remove accidentally.
Remember Their Outerwear.
Jackets are another essential for playdate outfits, especially during cooler weather or the rainy season. Even if the weather looks clear, it’s still a good idea to send your child with a jacket just in case. A dark-colored, water-resistant jacket is the best choice since it won’t show stains and will protect your child from precipitation. Make sure to choose a jacket of appropriate thickness for the season — a lightweight coat won’t cut it in the dead of winter. If your child doesn’t want to wear it inside, then put it with their backup clothes so they’ll have it anyway.
We hope these tips help you pick out the perfect outfit for your child’s next playdate! Just remember to prioritize their comfort and safety and you’ll choose the right outfit every time.
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