Happy New Year everyone! We all know how important good old-fashioned playtime is for our children. But in today’s world, with crazy busy parents, and over-scheduled kids, it doesn’t always happen as much as it should. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to add more play into your child’s life, I’d like to introduce you to www.PlaydatePlanet.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq4OTd-ydfk&feature=youtu.be&t=1s
Playdate Planet is a social networking site where parents can post and accept playdates online. Sort of like Facebook - but with a purpose. Founded by a local Pittsburgh mom and her oldest friend in the world, the site makes planning playdates as easy as booking flights or making dinner reservations online. You no longer have to call lots of moms to find that one child whose schedule happens to coincide with your own.
I found the site incredibly simple to use as well as visually appealing. Because moms started the company and oversaw the entire process, Playdate Planet included everything I could want in a playdate planning site. I could enter any pertinent information about my child such as emergency contact numbers and allergies as well as details about my home that other parents might find useful such as whether we have pets or a pool.
What I really liked is that parents choose who they connect with and only those people see any of their information. This isn’t a site where parents look for friends for their kids. This is a site where parents make plans for children who already are connected. A great feature is that you can sort your child’s friends into groups of your creation -- school friends, scouts, neighborhood kids, etc. When you create a playdate, you decide which children or groups should receive the notice. The available slots are filled on a first accepted basis.
I loved the look and feel of Playdate Planet. You can add photos for yourself and your children or use the charming Victorian avatars provided by the site. Cute icons indicate if the playdate locale has dogs, cats, a trampoline, etc. If users enter the address of their home, playdate guests can click on the location and instantly connect to a GoogleMaps link. Have a question about plans? Click on the parent’s name and an e-mail messaging screen pops up.
I give Playdate Planet a big thumbs up, made even more exciting by the fact that it’s co-founded by a Burgher. I hope you will all check it out!
FIND Playdate Planet on Facebook as well as on Twitter!
