Tips to Hosting a #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate

Have you ever had to host a party and you did not know where to start?  Let me get you started.

I received free products in order to host a #DisneyKids Preschool Playdate.  Thanks to American Tourister, Pop Secret, Softsoap, Pillow Pets, HP, MyPrintly, Disney Parks, and Disney.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

Throwing a party does not have to break the bank.  You do not need to pull out your hair to plan the perfect party.  The first thing I do is pick a theme.  Once you decide what the theme is, look for items in your house that go with your theme.  We love Disney and have many items already in our house.  It can be a scavenger hunt for you and your kids.  The more you look, the more you find.  Anything can be turned into décor.

Decorations-Create the perfect space with some décor.

My gameroom walls are red.  The perfect color for a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Party.  Last year, we hosted an Disney @Home Celebration where we used these Mickey faces for pin the smile on Mickey.  I saved it and added it as a hidden Mickey behind these Friends Quote because we love when friends come over and play. 

Décor can also create great photo op spaces.  The kids loved hanging out with Nemo pillow pet Under the Sea.  This was a backdrop we used for my daughter's Ariel birthday party. 

Food-Playdates call for finger foods. 

I set up all the kid's food on small tables for them to grab and go at their leisure.  I used all of my daughter's play tables including her picnic table.  One recommendation I learned was to make sure and ask all the parents for their kids' allergies before planning your menu.  I kept it simple and let my daughter pick some of her favorite foods.

Activities-You don't to over plan and you don't even have to have a schedule.  I have learned the best thing is to let the kids tell you what they feel like doing.  I had different activities set up for the kids.  Our gameroom was open for them to do as they pleased.

 Karaoke-Who doesn't love to sing catchy Disney songs?

Dress up-Photo Ops were set up all over the gameroom.  We have different hats, crowns, and so much more.  They laughed pretending to be princesses or pirates.

Sorcerer's Hat decorating, Mickey and Friends coloring sheets, stickers, etc...  It was not hard to keep them entertained.

We had a wonderful time at our Disney Kids Preschool Playdate.  The best part of all was that all the kids had a lot of fun.  You can find Mickey and Friends decorations and paper good at the Dollar store also. 

Here are more pictures from our party:

 We watched Moana and we all sang along.  It was a fun time.  Everyone left with all smiles.

#DisneyKids Preschool Playdate 2016

What do you do when your kids are out of school and the daycare is closed?  You coordinate a playdate. 

I was chosen to host a Disney Kids Preschool Playdate.  Thanks to BSM Media, Disney Parks, "I Love To Create", Banfield Pet Hospital, all, Glad, and Nesquik for all the free goodies we received in our party kit.

My daughter was so excited to host her playdate.  She helped get everything ready.  The first thing we had to decide was the menu.  We kept it simple, fun, and snack size.  We served some of my daughter's favorite foods like popcorn, animal crackers, rice krispie treats, and cake pops.

Hot Dog, Hog Dog, Hot Diggity Dog...of course we had a Hot Dog Bar.

We greeted our guests one by one as they arrived.  We had everyone sit down to grab a bite first before the fun times began.

Our fun started with some arts and crafts. The kids decorated white paper bags with their favorite characters. We had to call "Toodles" for some help. Our first tool we needed was crayons, and glitter. We also needed some scissors and Toodles came to the rescue again.

We then headed on a treasure hunt.  Mickey and Minnie handed out treasure maps, jewels, and crowns.  The kids headed to the backyard where we had hidden treasure all over.

The kiddos had a blast finding their treasure.  They got to keep all their loot.  We then headed back inside because the Lion Guard was waiting to take us on a Safari.  On the Safari, we shared pictures from our trip to Disney's Animal Kingdom and everyone got Lion Guard tattoos.  This was the perfect time to have story time.  I read "My Very, Very Smelly Breath".  This book is Banfield's Pet Hospital's second children's book.  It is a scratch and sniff book that the kids really enjoyed.  There were some stinky smells and some yummy smells.  The book helped the kids understand the importance of brushing teeth.  It talked about caring for our pet's teeth.

Of course, Toodles still had a mystery tool for us to use on our playdate.  It was a Piñata. 

Everyone had a great time.  I tried to keep the kids entertained and I kept them busy having fun with all the activities and goodies that were sent in our kit. 

Saying good bye is always hard when you get a bunch of kiddos who are having too much fun.  My daughter was so sweet and she walked each of her guests out.  She handed them each a swag bag as they walked out the door.

Things I learned from the planning and hosting of this playdate:

1)  Keep it simple.  Break the rules, don't break the rules.  It is a PLAY date, not school. 

2)  Kid Friendly.  I used kid's tables and chairs, instead of big grown up tables and chairs. 

3)  Plan group activities.  This will keep everyone together.  Better to keep an eye on everyone.

4)  Work Stations.  Kids get bored really fast.  You can have different activities for those that work faster or make them helpers.

5)  Have fun!  If you have a schedule, be ready to break it.  Kids are on their own schedule. 

Sofia The First Preschool Playdate #DisneyKids

***Disclosure-thanks to Disney Parks and MomSelect for sending me a Sofia The First Preschool Playdate party kit.  All opinions stated are my own based on my personal experience.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Did you have a 4 day weekend like I did?  Bored out of your minds, why not plan a preschool playdate for your little princess and princes?  That is exactly what we did.  We received a party kit with all the things with needed to entertain some of our daughter's preschool friends.  Mu daughter was excited when the package came in.  She rip the box open and started pulling all its content out on our couch.  Party planning time....

First we made a list of friends we wanted to share the fun with, and invitations went out.  We wanted to find a perfect day for everyone to come and enjoy themselves.

 I made labels for the water bottles that read "Gia's Royal Water".  I made magic wands for each person to enjoy.  I made rice krispie crowns too and place them in plastic sandwich bags I found at the dollar store.  I also covered the cupcake tower that came in the party kit with a custom made Sofia the First sign so it all would match.  It was all too perfect for the princess and princes showing up to have some fun with us.

 We also sampled some cheezy crisps that are Gluten FREE, whole grain, and actually good.  I like how cheesy and crispy they are.  What kiddo doesn't like cheese?

Playing games is always alot of fun.   Fun with Doc McStuffins puzzle sure had us thinking hard.  Helping the kids find like shapes and matching colors had them working together.

Next we took a break and tried Clif Kid Zbar Protein.  These have protein, fiber, and are made with organic whole grains.  The kiddos didnt even know these are good for them, it just tasted like chocolate to them.  My kiddo loves chocolate, so to her it was like having a candy bar.

These kids have so much energy.  Keeping preschoolers busy can be hard most of the time.  We decided to let the kids dig for gems and jewels in Kinetic Sand.  This stuff is amazing.  I do not like sand and kids and sand do not mix in my book.  But this stuff is awesome.  No mess at all.  It does not stick to them or make a mess.  It does not fry out which is a plus for me.

We also watch Sofia the First - The Curse of Princess Ivy.  This is my daughter's favorite show.  And apparently, she is not the only one.  Games, food, and lots of fun....too bad they all had to go home.

Playdates are so much fun....especially when my daughter doesn't have any sisters to play with.  This is a great way if you need a playmate for your kiddos.  You can take turns playing at each others' houses.  One of our friend's said mommy needed a break.  The holidays are here and these times can be overwhelming for us.  But they can also be overwhelming for the kiddos.  They are use to their schedule at preschool.  Playing with others helps them burn energy they have built inside.  Playdates don't have to be a full day.  They can be as long as you want them or care for them to be.  Most of the kiddos did not want to leave our house, but most kids never want to leave our house.  I love that our house is a playhouse.  We are already planning more playdates with all this Holiday time coming and the kiddos school's being closed. 

Do you do playdates?  What games do you play?  What food do you serve?