With both Jeff and I having careers, trying to find our own time for exercising or hobbies, and running around for the kids activities, we have a BUSY schedule. Sometimes it feels like we are constantly on the go and there is always something that needs to be done. At the end of the day we often talk about how fast time time is going by and if we are doing a good job parenting or if we are doing enough. Having that strong bond individually with each of them is so important to us, so we started what we call our Kid Dates. If you want to have some Kid Dates too, here are a few tips we’ve learned and some fun ideas we’ve done or are dying to try!
Here are my three tips for planning a Kid Date:
KEEP IT SIMPLE…
I think my number one tip when it comes to Kid Dates is to keep it simple. It does not have to be a big huge deal. Just knowing they have your undivided attention is going to make them feel special!
DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOUR SCHEDULE…
With our schedule being so hectic, it is easy to talk myself out of these kid dates being important. So for us, that means sometimes when I need to go run errands, I grab one of the girls and make it a special one on one. Letting her roam her favorite aisles or grabbing a little treat while we are there is enough. It might seem impossible at first, but you can always work it in.
DON’T LET BUDGET STOP YOU…
A lot of times not having extra money in the budget can pop up as an excuse. We have been there. When money is tight it feels like kid dates can be pushed aside. But the date is not about how much money you spend. It doesn’t always have to be going out and doing an activity. One of Gracyn’s favorite “dates” is getting one on one time with Jeff to build Legos or hangout in the garage (she’s such a little tomboy sometimes!). You can also use holiday gifts to help pay for date nights too. My kids always get a few gift cards for their birthday that we can use towards a future one on one or family date night! Something about using their “own money” makes it so much more fun too!
I hope these three tips can help you to make dating your kids a priority. The bond it has helped us form with our girls as individual people is priceless. I love this special time so much and know you will too! I thought I would also share 70 of my favorite ideas for Kid Dates, we have done a few of these and I can’t wait to try more soon!
Surprise lunch and check them out from school
Find a photo booth and take silly photos
Go to the trampoline park
Go out for ice cream
Pick fruit at a local farm
Make jewelry together
Dress up for a mommy daughter photoshoot (see ours here)
Peruse the hallways at your local craft store
Give each other makeovers
Take her shopping!
Enjoy a smoothie together
See Disney on Ice
Visit Grandma
Go to Build a Bear
Head to your local amusement park (Disney guide here)
Head to the local coffee shop for hot chocolate
Stroll through the botanical gardens
Kick a soccer ball around in a big field
Ride scooters in the skate park
Follow a recipe together – make dinner for the family
Have a tea party
Go to the aquarium
Feed ducks at a local park or lake
Go to the dollar store and buy silly items
Get all of your board games out and have a game night
Have a dance party
Attend the local farmer’s market
Make a sundae bar
Go for a picnic
Create a blanket fort (aka, Girls Club)
Go to the movie theater
Enjoy some frozen yogurt together
Paint pottery
Play at the local park/playground
Peruse the local book store
Pick out a bouquet together at the flower shop
Grab some popcorn and watch a movie
Go to the zoo
Walk around the neighborhood
Go to the aquarium
Visit the children’s museum
Dress up and go to dinner, could even be their favorite fast food!
Go to a painting class
Play mini golf
Mani/Pedis at the nail salon
Tell family stories – she’ll LOVE hearing about when you were a little girl
Go for a hike
Play at an arcade
Go to the library
Go bowling
Bake cookies
Go to the water park
Attend a play, musical, or other show. We love concert in the park in the Summer!
Go to the swimming pool or beach
Go to a puppet show
Go to breakfast or a donut shop
Attend open play at your local gymnastics gym
Grab a blanket and stargaze or watch the clouds
Make handmade cards for family and mail them
Make an obstacle course in the backyard
Do a scavenger hunt
Watch the sunset
Roast marshmallows and enjoy s’mores
Go to a petting farm
Put a puzzle together
Stay a night at a hotel
Paint each other’s nails
Play video games together
Plant a garden
Go for a drive – we love driving by the beach!
It really does not matter what you do, your little people just need that time with you and only you! They remember the littlest things the most. I’d love to hear what some of your favorite things to do with your kiddos are so I can add them to the list!