Arrrrr you ready for some playdate ideas, matey?  It’s summer and that means it’s the perfect time for a pirate playdate!  All it takes is a little imagination and whole a lot of fun!  Start by brainstorming a list of activities your little buccaneers might enjoy and then make a treasure MAP of ACTIVITIES (see photo) to help guide the day!  You can use a chalkboard, whiteboard, or oversized construction paper to make a map large enough to display or make smaller individual maps for each child.

Here are 8 playdate ideas to help you start thinking about some fun on the “high seas”:

1.  DRESS UP MATEY!

Have eye patches, face paint for mustaches and pirate hats ready to go!  Check out your local party store if you want to get wild or you can make your own.

2.  WALK THE PLANK!

This classic pirate party game is perfect for small crowds too.  Set up a wood plank or balance beam over a small kiddie pool.  Fill the pool with blue balloons or make some pretend sharks.  Use a bandanna for a blindfold and walk that plank!

3.  PIRATE PUPPETS!

Paper bag puppets are always a big hit.  We used white lunch bags, construction paper and paint to make ours.  If you are limited on time have shapes pre-cut and kiddos can quickly glue and paint.

4.  SINK A SHIP!

Set up a plastic container with water (add blue food coloring for fun) and add several sponges to use as “ships.”  Use squirt guns and see if you can— sink that ship!

5.  PIRATE BOOKS!

Check out your local library for age appropriate pirate books.  Set up a reading island!

6.  PIRATE PUNCH BREAK!

Keep hydrated with some pirate punch.  We served juice-in-a-box with a little pirate flag attached!

7.  DIG FOR TREASURE!

Fill a small plastic container with sand and “gold” treasures (beads, gold coins, etc).  Invite kids to dig for treasure while “blindfolded” for an added challenge.

8.  PIRATE PICNIC!

Serve lunch in brown bags marked with a large x (marks the spot)!  Additional fun snacks might include shark food (see photo, original idea h/t Pinterest), cannon balls (cherries, grapes, etc), ocean water (blue juice)… etc! The best part about a pirate picnic is that you have to HUNT for your lunch…  make a simple map that leads to the picnic treasure!

Hope you have fun, matey!

Post by Katherine Marie.
You can find more of her messy, creative and fun projects on Instagram at Katherinemaries

 

For more high sea adventures, 
don’t miss our collection of Nautical Decor