Ah, the art of keeping peace during toddler playdates - a worthy skill to develop indeed! I usually have a few tricks up my sleeve for such occasions.
Firstly, I'd divert their attention to another activity, preferably something exciting and new. A change of scenery or introducing an intriguing new toy can help redirect their focus and cool down the situation, especially if the squabble was over a toy.
If tensions run high, I'd whip out the good old peekaboo or show them a video of cute animals on my phone - toddler favourites that buy me some time to de-escalate the fight. For post-playdate debriefs, I find that having a special snack often helps to cheer everyone up!
What about you? Any secret tactics for keeping playdates harmonious?