Remember when summer meant hopping on your bike and cruising over to a friend’s house, no plan necessary? Or when neighborhood kids would materialize like magic for a spontaneous game of tag or Wiffle ball? Those days of free-range childhood have become increasingly rare. Between parental anxiety, jampacked calendars, and changing social norms, kids now spend more time connecting digitally than in person. But that just makes real-life moments together more important—and more meaningful.

This summer, consider bringing a little of that old-school freedom back with open-ended, low-key playdates that give kids autonomy and the space to connect face-to-face. Whether you’re based in the city or heading out to the Hamptons, here’s how to make it easy, joyful, and something your kids (and their friends) will truly look forward to.

Make It a Tradition

Designate a weekly hangout—like “Friends Friday”—so everyone has something to count on. Keep it casual: a few kids, a shared meal, and time to just play. Don’t worry about curating the perfect guest list each week. Let it be flexible. A couple of regulars and a cast of rotating guests keeps it fresh and not too overwhelming.

Thinking of inviting other parents to stick around and socialize? Even better—nearly half of parents say their stress levels are through the roof these days. Let’s be honest: grown-ups need a little summer fun too. A bit of sparkling conversation and a glass of rosé while the kids run wild can feel like a mini-vacation.

Serve the Sure Things

Feeding a group of kids doesn’t have to mean cooking all day. Stick with crowd-pleasers that are easy to prep and even easier to clean up:

• Make-your-own taco bar: Kids love customizing. Put out tortillas, shredded chicken or ground beef, black beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and guacamole.

• DIY pizza night: Make it quick and easy: grab flatbreads or English muffins, sauce, shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and let kids assemble their own.
  
• Pasta picnic: A low-effort weeknight classic still feels like a treat when you set up all the fixings. For your base, pick one shape — penne, shells, or spirals—that’s easy for kids to manage. Offer several options—like marinara, butter with parmesan, or pesto. Add protein—frozen meatballs, Italian sausage, or rotisserie chicken—and serve sautéed zucchini, peas, roast broccoli, or garden salad on the side.

• Breakfast-for-dinner: An easy overnight French Toast casserole, fruit, and sausage links—who can resist? Serve with a sparkling pitcher of orange juice—and a side of champagne for adult mimosas.

• Chicken nuggies: Bake store-bought chicken nuggets (bonus points if you can find dinosaur shapes!) and serve alongside frozen sweet potato fries. Cucumber spears, baby carrots, or corn on the cob makes a nice addition. Dips might include honey, ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.

Add a cooler with bottled water, lemonade, fruit punch, or juice boxes—and you’re set.

Entertainment = Simple + Open-Ended

You don’t need a bounce house or Pinterest-worthy crafts to keep kids happy. Just give them all the ingredients for fun:

• Sprinkler/splash pads, water balloons, water guns, or a slip-n-slide if it’s hot
• Artsy outdoor fun like chalk, bubbles, paint, DIY comic books, scratch art, clay
• A creative treasure chest of costumes, accessories, trinkets, and a Polaroid camera
• Energy-burners like hula hoops, footballs, soccer balls, jump ropes, frisbees, bocce
• Nerf target shooting range, stomp rockets, slingshots, or scavenger hunts/prizes
• Blankets, picture books, Mad Libs, and fidgets in the shade for quieter kids
• Toys like magnet tiles, trains, play food sets, Playmobil or Calico Critters sets, dinos
• Dance party supplies: karaoke machine, glow sticks, costumes, party lights
• Board games, puzzles, fort building supplies, or Lego piles indoors for rainy days

A little music playing in the background and a “do your thing” vibe will help kids settle into their own rhythm.

Want to Kick It Up a Notch?

If you’d rather relax with the other parents while someone else takes the reins, call Shine NYC. Whether you’re throwing a casual backyard hang or a summer soirée with friends and neighbors, we make sure you can actually enjoy it. (Yes, really.)

We’ll send professional, engaging entertainers right to your door in the Hamptons or across the East End. From creative arts projects to interactive storytelling, we bring everything needed—and handle all the clean-up, too.

This summer, let’s reclaim connection. With a little planning—and a lot of heart—you can turn Friday afternoons into something everyone looks forward to.

Reach out for details on hosting the easiest, most delightful playdates of the season!