10 Playdates for Moms

Summer’s here! That means it’s not only time to schedule playdates for your kids, but it’s also a great time to schedule some playdates with your mom friends. With school out of session and many extracurriculars on summer break, long and lazy summer days are the perfect excuse to unwind while catching up with your BFFs. Looking for some inspiration to get you going? We’ve got you covered. Here are 10 playdates for moms.

Book Club

Sometimes the best way to unwind is to stay close to home (or better yet, at home!) and take in a good read. Find a few friends with similar tastes in books and take some time to discuss a common read. Or better yet, invite friends with broad tastes in books to do a book swap, sharing your favorite books with one another in an effort to expand your horizons and try new things.

Brunch

I’ve found one of the sweetest retreats with a group of moms can occur over Saturday morning brunch. For starters, a morning out doesn’t impact family plans in the evening. And in most cases, it gives kids the chance to sleep in and hang out with Dad, all while Mom gets to recharge her batteries with the girls. If you have a favorite spot, hit it weekly and try a new item until you’ve had the whole menu. Looking for variety? Try a new brunch stop each time until you find the one with the hollandaise sauce that speaks your name.

Downtown Discoveries

Downtown KC has gained national attention for its vibrant art scene, tantalizing array of restaurants, eclectic shops and esteemed museums (both Forbes Magazine and Huffington Post list it among the top metropolitans in the nation). Girl time is the perfect excuse to explore the districts that make KC exciting and unlike any other. Hop aboard the KC Streetcar and check out the River Market district, where you’ll find one of the Midwest’s largest and oldest open air farmers markets alongside a slew of ethnic restaurants bringing classic cuisine from the farthest corners of the world to one centralized location. Or consider visiting the bustling Crossroads district, where First Fridays afford guests the opportunity to take in art galleries, live music, unique finds from more than 30 shops and eateries ranging from hip food trucks to trendy restaurants. Looking for a way to wind down after it all? Check out the Green Lady Lounge, where you can take in the sound of the city: live Kansas City jazz.

Fitness Fun

For some women, exercise is enjoyable. For others, it’s work. But by and large, most agree exercising alongside friends is more fun. Try that hot yoga class together. Join a Crossfit team. Or sign up for a 5K and train side by side. By working out together, you not only invest in your own health but you also encourage one another to meet new goals, all while making memories along the way.

Moms Night Out

Research whether one of your favorite attractions or restaurants has a ladies night special. Those special discounts can make otherwise expensive activities fit the bill. My favorite ladies night deal can be found at the Melting Pot on the Plaza on Mondays, where guests can indulge in a decadent fondue trio known as the Crave Combo for a great price.

Showtime

Get lost in a good storyline, whether it be through a musical, concert or movie. Starlight and the Music Hall offer Broadway-style shows, or you can take in a good chick flick on the big screen. And don’t forget to check out local theater and concerts—many local communities offer free summer concert series.

Serving Side by Side

One of the best ways to grow in friendship is to serve alongside one another. Perhaps you already do this through PTA or church functions, but opportunities abound throughout the summer. A couple ideas are to plant a community garden or volunteer for a local VBS program.

Swap Shop

For many moms, spring cleaning can extend into the summertime, and a top priority is decluttering. But organizing a garage sale (or simply taking a heap of donations to Goodwill) can be a hassle. Skip that step and call your girlfriends together for a free swap shop evening. Set a limit on how many items each guest can bring or even choose a theme, whether it be shoes, kids clothes, books, toys, home decor, etc. In doing so, you can get rid of unwanted items and gain a few new desirable ones all for free and in good company.

Take a Tour

Where else can you sip your way through coffee and craft beer tours? Here in KC, many local companies, such as the Roasterie and Boulevard Brewing Company, offer guided tours where guests can find out more about products manufactured in their hometown and enjoyed around the world. Find more here.

Wine Tastings

One of the hallmark characteristics of a good moms event is doing something out of the ordinary. Ditch the yoga pants for high heels and the juice boxes for a good wine tasting. Here in KC, we have a phenomenal selection of wineries to choose from (more than 100, in fact). So if tastings are your thing, consider it an ongoing summer challenge to visit a different one every couple of weeks and, as a group, rate your favorites. If wine is not your cup of tea (or if you’re pregnant and it’s temporarily off the menu), consider joining in just for the hors d'oeuvres (after all, who can turn down a good charcuterie board or tapas?).

Lauren Greenlee is an Olathe freelance writer, as well as the social coordinator for moms events through a local Classical Conversations community. She can be found participating in book club and brunching her way through the summer with her besties.