Growing up is hard. 

For kids, they’re learning how to navigate this thing called life and everything is new.  Understanding why things exist and how they came to be can be tiring for children. On the flip side, it can be tiring for parents, too.  For adults, our kids grow so fast it’s hard to keep up.  One day your kid loves dinosaurs and the next they’re on to Power Rangers.  Who could keep up?! 

One of the best ways to get to know your little one as they’re growing is to go on day dates.  Just you and your child living out different experiences and hanging out together getting to know each other.

Before we get into some of the best parent and child day date ideas, it’s important to understand if you set the precedent with your child that time together will happen, it is imperative to make it happen.  Potentially worse than not spending time with your child is promising to spend time together and not doing it.  It is incredibly easy to let life get in the way, but if you don’t make time, you’ll realize you don’t know as much about your growing child as maybe you thought you did.  

[Please note that these ideas are ideal for a pandemic-free world, so at this time, please only partake in activities you feel comfortable with.]

So without further ado, here are a few of our favorite child and parent day date activities…

1.     THE ZOO: One thing most children love is animals and taking your child to the zoo for some one-on-one quality time together can be both fun and educational.  What’s great about the zoo is that, depending on your child’s age, some of the animals may be new to them.  Being able to experience something new with your child is an extremely bonding experience and the type of fun where memories are formed.  We are lucky to have Lion Country Safari close by, which kids LOVE!

2.     DINNER & A MOVIE: Typically, watching a movie and grabbing dinner is thought of as a romantic date idea or adults, but the activities translate well for all ages.  Start with a movie and then move on to dinner.  This way you can have a discussion about the movie over a nibble.  Find out what they liked about it, what they didn’t like.  You’ll start to see tastes and preferences developing through your child’s answers.

3.     VISIT A TRAMPOLINE PARK: Trampoline parks are so much fun!  One of the nice things about trampoline parks is that even for those with certain injuries, it can be a low impact physical activity that you could do together (of course, consult your doctor if there is any question).  This activity also puts the parent in an element really catered to children, which is great for relationship building. 

4.     ICE CREAM: An oldy but a goody because let’s be real – what kid doesn’t love an ice cream date?!  (Okay, let’s be even more real – what adult doesn’t like ice cream too?) It’s a win/win and it’s a great time to sit down and have a conversation with your child while you each enjoy your sweet treat!

What are some other day date ideas you enjoy spending with your child? Let us know in the comments!