Let kids hand out "playdate cards" if they're too shy to ask themselves

John of the lovely, local furniture company Via Toy Box offers this hack for shy kids who need a gentle nudge to initiate playdates:

I drop off and pick up my 3 year old daughter from preschool. She would love to make play dates with her little friends, but we're both a little shy. Well, not really me, but it is a bit awkward since moms usually pick up their kids. I don't know how comfortable everyone would be if I asked if we could play together sometime. So, I thought these little business-like cards would help to break the ice and help my daughter make some friends and play dates. The front says, "Scarlet - Preschool Kid", our address, and my wife's contact info. The back of the card is shown below.

It was so cute and she was so psyched up when she handed it to her little friend's mommy. The three other moms around her at the time laughed when I pointed out that her schedule was on the back. Needless to say, email notes have been exchanged and the play date is imminent. I probably need to start printing some more cards, maybe with a little artwork next time.

This is wonderful. It honors a shy child's need to go a little slower socially while encouraging her to spread her wings.

John, I'm also interested what you said about what it's like to be one of the few dads at school dropoff time. My husband sometimes found himself in a similar position. Other dads care to share?

(And I just have to point back to a Via Toy Box review we did some time ago...it's a beautiful, versatile product.)

Related: Free(ish) family business cards simplify playdates and more

Comments

[bee]

this is brilliant! i'm going to try this with my 6 yr old who is not shy at all (though i was as a kid, i could have used this) but since i'm at work when she's at school, i don't always meet the parents of her peers or know how to get in touch with them when she comes home and says she wants a playdate with so-and-so. just have to make sure she understands not to hand this out to just anyone!

[RookieMom Heather]

It's a little weird. But also very cute. I'm confused.

[Tony L.]

I'm a stay-at-home dad three days a week. It is frustrating when I'm looking for activities in our community they are all gear toward moms. I do live near Portland so if anyone knows activities gearing towards dads with their kids I would be interested to know.

[A-dad]

I doubt that use of the playdate card will do away with all of the social awkwardness that mothers have in relating to stay at home dads. Sometimes gender-biased socialization and culture is far too hard to overcome.

[Marita]

That is a great idea for children who are not very verbal also but want to have playdates.

Also was thinking it would be useful for my daughter who just started school this year. Many of her friends go to after school care so I don't get to see their parents at pick up / drop off times. This way she could invite them to a playdate and hand out the card for them to give to Mum/Dad to organise time.

I'm making some up with a photo of my girls and I on them - that way for those who don't know us so well there is a visual reminder of which parent/child we are.

Great hack. Thank you.

[Marita]

Snap - that will learn me to read the comments BEFORE I comment myself. See Bee has had the same idea about school :)

[Yo]

Maybe leave the address off for safety, and just a cell-phone/unlisted number (so that your address can't be looked up). For safety...

[Business Cards]

This is so cute! And very creative! My kid needs one of these cards - he barely talks to people in school, he's such a shy, shy boy.

[mallorymiah@optonline.net]

I have play date cards. I just love them, and so do my kids! I got mine from Art about the Baby -

http://www.artaboutthebaby.com/playdateshop.html

will have to give full disclosure (im new to commenting on blogs, and i have a new business) so i hope this is okay. it is my site. if you get a chance - check them out. they are a little different than most of the cards ive seen online.