New Study Suggests Organising Children's Play Dates Has Become a Competitive Minefield

Seven in ten (77 percent) modern parents say play dates are now an integral aspect of parental hierarchy – with a WHOPPING 90 percent admitting they are trying to keep up with the Jones's when their little ones bring their friends home to play.

A further 88 percent of the 2,000 parents surveyed by Meatless Farm say that social media has made the art of play date hosting even more competitive, with 89 percent agreeing that kids’ get-togethers are more competitive now than ever before.

In fact, foods like crisps (26 percent), fizzy drinks (24 percent), choc ices (23 percent), sweets (23 percent) and oven chips (20 percent) are now frowned upon at kid’s play dates.

It’s no surprise that 78 percent agree that the idea of having a few friends over for nuggets and a movie is no longer considered good enough, as the expectation is for better quality and more nutritious food, as well as more diverse options.

Modern parents now expect fresh fruit (32 percent), homemade cakes (28 percent), freshly made popcorn (27 percent), homemade smoothies (23 percent) and posh veggie crisps (20 percent)to be provided to children.

Meat and gluten free alternatives are also proving to be an important part of a modern play date with menus including gluten free pizzas (17 percent), vegan pizzas (15 percent) and vegan burgers (14 percent).

One in six (13 percent) also provide gluten-free sandwiches and vegan sweets (13 percent).

Half (49 percent) of the mums and dads polled think that the idea of what makes up a play date has changed over the last few years, resulting in them costing more money (55 percent) and children’s expectations of being entertained being higher (46 percent).

Four in ten (43 percent) say children want to do activities, while a further 43 percent think that they need to be entertained more.

Meatless Farm is aiming to give parents even more healthy, tasty and hassle-free meat-free options, thanks to their new range of delicious frozen meat-free alternatives and plant-based pizzas.

Lydia Brook, Brand Manager at Meatless Farm, comments, “The research shows that parents are under more pressure than ever to host engaging, enriching play dates with a wide range of food including meat free, vegan and gluten free options on offer.

“When you’re keen to host the perfect play date, making sure you have plenty of delicious food options and tasty, nutritious and convenient food you can rustle up makes life so much easier. From our research, it’s clear that more and more parents are interested in providing options, which is why we have launched our tasty and healthier new freezer and pizza range.”

When it comes to entertainment, watching the telly the whole time (39 percent), playing games of hide and seek (33 percent), playing dress up (31 percent), sword fights (30 percent) and play fighting (29 percent) are starting to be replaced by more active and creative past times.

TikTok dance routines (40 percent), a trampoline in the garden (36 percent), dance party (30 percent), football goals set up (29 percent), materials to make friendship bracelets (27 percent), trips to the zoo (25 percent) and bouncy castles (23 percent) all made the list of modern play date activities.

In fact, four in ten (44 percent) of the parents surveyed think that entertainment at a play date should be educational or active, rather than looking at a screen.

This half term, the average parent will host three play dates while their children will attend a further four.

MODERN PLAY DATE NO-NOS, ACCORDING TO PARENTS:

1 Letting kids watch TV – 39%

2 Games of hide and seek – 33%

3 Playing dress up – 31%

4 Sword fights – 30%

5 Play fighting – 29%

6 Cheap crisps – 26%

7 Jumpers for goalposts – 26%

8 Fizzy drinks – 24%

9 Choc ices – 23%

10 Sweets – 23%

11 Dance routines to music – 22%

12 Sausage rolls – 20%

13 Oven chips – 20%

14 Playing video games – 17%

15 Chocolate cake – 16%

MODERN PLAYDATE MUST-HAVES, ACCORDING TO BRITISH PARENTS:

1 Learning the latest TikTok dance craze – 40%

2 A trampoline– 36%

3 Fresh fruit – 32%

4 Dance party – 30%

5 Football goals in the garden – 29%

6 Homemade cakes – 28%

7 Friendship bracelet making  – 27%

8 Freshly made popcorn – 27%

9 Trips to the zoo – 25%

10 Educational games – 24%

11 Painting – 24%

12 Bouncy castle – 23%

13 Screen-free play – 23%

14 Homemade smoothies – 23%

15 Karaoke machines– 23%