TINY PLAY DATES
Project Overview
TinyPlayDates is a community-driven mobile platform designed to help parents connect with nearby families and organize safe, meaningful playdates for children. The goal was to build a trust-first, easy-to-use social platform focused on local discovery, communication, and child-friendly interactions.
Features
Our Challenges
Not a Typical Social App
Designing a parent-focused platform without the feel of traditional social media.
Safety & Privacy
Ensuring trust, privacy, and child safety across all interactions.
Real-Time Communication
Handling real-time chat, unread counts, and notifications efficiently.
Simple Yet Engaging UI
Keeping the interface easy to use while appealing to different age groups.
Scalable Architecture
Building a backend ready for future features like events and marketplaces.
Backend
Building a backend that could scale as features expand
Our Strategy / Approach
User-First Thinking
Deep understanding of parent personas, usage patterns, and safety concerns.
Trust-Focused UI
Clean, friendly, and calming interface designed to build trust with parents.
Smart Discovery
Location-based discovery with filters for age, interests, and distance.
Modular Architecture
Scalable backend supporting chats, groups, events, and marketplace features.
Automation & Performance
Automated flows to reduce manual moderation and improve performance.
Future-Ready System
Built to support new features without rework or major changes.
Execution / How We Built It
o Requirement discussions and feature prioritization
o Defined MVP scope and roadmap
o Wireframes and high-fidelity designs using Figma
o Focus on clarity, accessibility, and parent-friendly flows
o Prototype shared for feedback and approvals
o Mobile App: Flutter (Android & iOS)
o Backend: Supabase (PostgreSQL, Auth, Realtime, Edge Functions)
o Web/Admin: React-based admin panels (where required)
o State Management: MobX
o Notifications: Firebase Cloud Messaging
o Multi-device and cross-platform testing
o Performance tuning for chat and real-time features
o Security and role-based access validation
o Play Store & App Store build support
o Post-launch fixes and optimization
o Ongoing feature enhancements
Results / Outcomes
Before
- Complex onboarding
- Limited local discovery
- Basic communication
After
- Smooth parent onboarding
- Accurate local matching
- Real-time chat & engagement
- Trust-focused experience