25 Nostalgic Adult “Playdates” to Please Your Inner Child
Where did the time go? One moment, you’re carefree and living your best life; the next, you’re a full-grown adult with full-grown responsibilities. Adulthood can be absolutely exhausting at times, which is why it’s so important to pause and bring back the fun. And who better to do that with than your girls? These 25 adult playdate ideas are dripping with nostalgia, here to remind you of one simple truth: grown-ups deserve to play too.
1. Play Monopoly
There’s nothing quite like the nostalgia of a Monopoly game to bring out a mix of fun and friendly competition. Whether you’re going for Mayfair, stacking up hotels, or avoiding the dreaded “Go to Jail” card, it’s a fun way to spend time with your friends. Just remember, this game is notorious for lasting forever, so settle in and prepare for some playful rivalries… and don’t forget the snacks!
2. Make Friendship Bracelets
Grab some colourful threads, beads, and charms, and sit around the table crafting cute friendship bracelets for one another. You can even make designs that represent each of your personalities or favourite colours. Add a bit of a spa vibe to the session with some relaxing music and candles to make the experience even more enjoyable. Once finished, you’ll have a gorgeous handmade token of your friendship to wear or keep as a keepsake.
3. Watch Your Childhood Favourite Films
What better way to feel like a kid again than a nostalgic film marathon? Pick a selection of childhood classics like Shrek or The Lion King, make the living room cosy with blankets and pillows, and serve cinema-style popcorn and sweets that transport you straight back to the early 2000s. Take breaks in between films to discuss your favourite parts or re-enact memorable scenes.
4. Play Nostalgic Video Games
Whether it’s Sonic, Mario Kart, or The Sims 2, there’s nothing like the sheer joy of playing video games from your childhood. Dust off your old console or ask to borrow one from a friend who still owns theirs. Once the games are up and running, challenge your friends to multiplayer matches or take turns completing levels. Add snacks and commentary for a truly immersive throwback experience. Expect a lot of laughter, a bit of banter, and plenty of moments where muscle memory surprises you!
5. Picnic in the Park
Bring some sunshine into your day with a cute picnic. Pack a basket filled with childhood treats like jam sandwiches, sausage rolls, Jaffa Cakes, and maybe even those mini cartons of juice. Don’t forget a cheeky bottle of wine for a grown-up twist! Set up with a picnic blanket, cushions, colouring books and some crayons. Spend the afternoon lounging under the sun, enjoying the simplicity of a good picnic, taking pictures and sharing laughs and memories.
6. Go Camping
Camping is the perfect way to get back to basics while bonding with your girls. Whether you head to the woods, a campsite, or just pitch a tent in your back garden, this activity is a classic for a reason. Pack sleeping bags, torches, and plenty of snacks. Gather around a campfire to toast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, and maybe sing some cheesy campfire songs. The best part? Lying under the stars, chatting, and reconnecting with nature—and each other.
7. Host a Slumber Party
Transform your living room into the ultimate slumber party space with blankets, pillows, and fairy lights. Everyone wears their cutest pyjamas—preferably matching ones—and you spend the night binge-watching shows or chick flicks like Mean Girls or Clueless. Stock up on classic snacks like popcorn, chocolate, and fizzy drinks. Play truth or dare, paint your nails, and vibe until the early hours. Don’t forget to take plenty of pictures to capture the fun!
8. Karaoke Night
Host your own karaoke night and sing your heart out to your childhood playlist. Bring out the Disney classics, early 2000s bops, and High School Musical anthems. You don’t need a fancy karaoke machine—just a microphone (or a hairbrush), some YouTube karaoke tracks, and you’re ready to go. For added fun, dress up as your favourite childhood idols or pop stars.
9. Roller Skating
Head to a retro roller rink for a throwback activity that’s both nostalgic and a bit of a workout. Roller skating brings back memories of carefree afternoons spent gliding around with friends. If you’re feeling adventurous, challenge each other to tricks or races. Not the best on wheels? No worries—part of the fun is laughing at your wobbly attempts to stay upright!
10. Organise a Mini Sports Day
Relive the excitement of school sports day by organising your own version. Gather your mates in a garden or park and set up classic events like egg-and-spoon races, three-legged races, and sack races. Create funny prizes for the winners and make sure to take plenty of pictures of the chaos. Whether you’re naturally sporty or not, it’s all about the fun! End the day with medals or certificates for everyone (and maybe some celebratory drinks).
11. Create a Time Capsule
Take a trip down memory lane by creating a time capsule with your friends. Write heartfelt letters to your future selves, collect small items that represent your current lives, and include anything that holds sentimental value—photos, ticket stubs, or even a favourite sweet wrapper. Once the capsule is sealed, decide on a date and location for when you’ll dig it up, whether it’s in five or ten years. It’s a nostalgic way to reflect on your friendships while also giving you something exciting to look forward to in the future.
12. Bake Some Cupcakes
Channel your inner baker and whip up a batch of cupcakes. Choose classic childhood flavours like chocolate or vanilla, and don’t hold back when it comes to decorating. Gather sprinkles, edible glitter, colourful icing, and have a friendly competition to see whose designs turn out the best (or most chaotic!).
13. Water Balloon Fight
Nothing says summer like a good old-fashioned water balloon fight. Fill up lots of balloons, arm yourselves with buckets, and let the chaos unfold. Whether you’re dodging balloons or launching surprise attacks, this activity is guaranteed to have everyone in fits of laughter. Add some playful rules or team challenges to make it even more exciting. Make sure you’ve got towels and a dry outfit for afterwards.
14. Childhood Photoshoot
Recreate the magic of your childhood with a fun photoshoot. Dig out old photo albums and choose your favourite snaps to recreate. Whether it’s awkward school photos, hilarious group poses, or precious family moments, the results will have you laughing for hours. Dress up to match the original outfits and mimic the exact expressions and poses. Once the photos are taken, compare them to the originals and see how far you’ve all come!
15. Build a Blanket Fort
Bring back one of the simplest joys of childhood by building a blanket fort. Raid the house for blankets, cushions, chairs, and fairy lights to create a cosy hideaway. Once it’s complete, fill the fort with snacks and settle in for a midnight feast. Whether you watch films, play games, or just chat the night away, it’s the ultimate bonding experience for a girls night in!
16. DIY Science Experiments
Pick up a DIY science kit or gather supplies for simple projects like baking soda volcanoes, slime, or glow-in-the-dark potions. It’s messy, fun, and a brilliant way to relive the joy of school science lessons—without the pressure of grades! Take turns being the “lead scientist” or compete to see who can create the most impressive results.
17. Paper Mâché Art
Get creative with a classic paper mâché project. Blow up balloons and layer them with newspaper and glue to create bowls, masks, or fun shapes. Once the creations have dried, let your artistic side shine by painting and decorating them with bold colours or patterns. It’s messy, therapeutic, and a wonderful way to channel your inner child while making something you can proudly display—or laugh about!
18. Make Sock Puppets
It’s time for a puppet show! Gather old socks, googly eyes, markers, and other craft supplies to bring your quirky characters to life. Once everyone’s puppets are ready, put on a hilariously silly puppet show. Whether you’re improvising a plot or recreating a childhood story, it’s a light-hearted activity guaranteed to leave you all in stitches.
19. Go-Kart Racing
Take a trip to your nearest go-kart track and for some high-speed fun. Go-kart racing is the perfect combination of adrenaline, competition, and childlike joy. Cheer each other on, laugh at the inevitable crashes, and end the day with some celebratory snacks.
20. Play with Lego
Unbox a pile of lego and challenge each other to build the most imaginative or elaborate structure. Turn it into a contest or collaborate on a giant build—it’s impossible not to feel nostalgic when you’re surrounded by colourful bricks.
21. Have a Sticker or Scrapbooking Session
Did anyone else love creating scrapbooks as a child? Find a scrapbook making kit online, and gather any supplies you may already have like magazines, stickers, paints and markers. Ask your girls to print and bring any additional photos they’d like to use and spend the night creating a scrapbook with a theme of your choice.
22. Do a Puzzle Together
Jigsaw puzzles are the perfect mix of relaxation and nostalgia. Choose a puzzle with a cute design and gather around the table to piece it together. Add a bottle of wine or some hot chocolate, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment when the final piece clicks into place. Bonus points if you choose a massive puzzle and challenge yourselves to finish it in one sitting!
23. Host a Tea Party
Embrace your inner child with a playful tea party. Set the table with mismatched teacups, a cute tablecloth, and a spread of finger sandwiches, scones, and biscuits. Dress up in fancy outfits or even childhood costumes for a touch of fun. Add nostalgic details like mini Victoria sponges or fairy cakes to the mix. Spend the afternoon sipping tea (or prosecco), nibbling treats, and pretending you’re in a storybook setting (my fave – Alice in Wonderland.)
24. Decorate Gingerbread Houses
Stock up on icing, sprinkles, and sweets and decorate a gingerbread house each. Set up a friendly competition to see whose masterpiece wins the “Star Decorator” title, and enjoy munching on your creations afterwards.
25. Finger Painting Night
Plan a finger painting night with the girls, where you paint pictures using your fingers only. There’s something so satisfying about getting your hands messy and letting creativity flow. Play soft background music and chat away while you work, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere that feels like stepping back into primary school art class.
