Activities

10 BEST “Date Day” Activities for You and Your Kiddos!

 

The other night my little girl and I were mixing up a batch of peanut butter “kiss” cookies and almost out of the blue she mentioned a mommy-daughter date day we had months ago when we went to a pottery place to paint some pottery.

It occurred to me right then and there that we haven’t had a ton of “mommy-daughter” time recently. It’s not that we haven’t spent time together, but it’s just that when we go places it’s usually with the entire family.

Being Mindful and Grabbing Moments: Tricky but SO Important! 

This got me thinking about an amazing idea I heard from another mom when I was making a quick coffee run one day.

She was speaking to her little boy about “date days” and said that this coming weekend was their special “date day” on their family calendar.

I thought—WOW—that’s genius. Carving out one or two (or three +) days in the month to spend time with each child ALONE is a fabulous idea!

In this crazy busy, over-booked time, it’s very easy to get consumed with your regular day-to-day routine. Days turn into weeks and before you know it, seasons are going by.

The BEST Advice Anyone Ever Gave Me:

I remember someone telling me right before my husband and I got married to take a step back from the hub-bub of the wedding and look at everyone, even if it was for three minutes.

They told me I should notice the little details like the way your grandfather looks in a tux or touch the flower arrangements on the table, look at the way the sun is setting in the background. 

See and FEEL what’s happening, and really take in what’s unfolding in your special day.

Even though the day went by in a blur of glass clinging, dancing and champagne, years later I have these very vivid mental pictures of that day that I will cherish forever. ALL because I STOPPED and was mindful/present of what was happening. It’s like magic.

 

If you have more than one kiddo at home, then you’re already well versed in the tricky world of balancing everything from feeding schedules, nap times to school, playdates and other fun activities.

What we all forget is to take a day, ( or 3 + depending on how many kids you have!) to spend only focusing on one kiddo.

This short but very significant conversation that I had last night with my daughter helped me to remember just how important it is to cherish each child individually.

You date day can be anything you and your child want it to be and it doesn’t have to be an entire day. Remember, going for quality NOT quantity is so key!

Below are some awesome ideas for spending a top-notch date day with your kiddos this upcoming season. Remember, this is a no-pressure, time and, bonus—it means the other kiddo gets alone time with your partner!

 

Amazing Activites to Do with your Kids on Mommy/Daddy Date Days:

 

 

Best Activities to do with kids

Go for a ride together!

Warmer Weather:

  • Bike ride on a new trail complete with a snack
  • Picnic at the park/In your backyard
  • Hiking at a nature center/In your backyard
  • Painting outside on canvases (do it right in your yard if you can get alone time there!)
  • Swimming at a favorite pool, beach or lake together
  • Kayaking together (our kids were 2 when we started kayaking with them…so doable if you’re comfortable!)
  • Outside scavenger hunt together (grab this idea we did at home!)
  • Mini-golfing date

 

Best Activities to do with kids on date days

Get Crafty!

Cooler Weather/Rainy Days:

  • Painting pottery
  • Movie date day
  • Pick a museum day with mommy or daddy**Check your local library for museum passes!
  • Indoor inflatable bounce space or trampoline park
  • Ice skating indoors
  • Ski date
  • Sledding date
  • Cooking/baking date!

Wrapping up: Conclusion

Many of these activities are so simple and cost little to nothing! We also find many local deals on Groupon for the activities that do cost money!  

Remember, a date day can be as little as an hour a month but to your child, it is their special day/time they get to spend alone with you! I’ve found that on these date days my kiddos really love

  • One on one conversations without interruptions
  • Discovering new things about Mommy or Daddy that they might not have known
  • Complete, undivided attention on their ideas
  • That it is their “special” time carved out and created for them/by them

What I’ve come to love about date days/ moments with the kiddos individually is

  • Discovering other things about your kids you might not have known/noticed in the business of regular days
  • Breaking from the regular day-to-day routine
  • Being able to sit back and really take in the moment
  • Knowing that my kids will look back and remember these special “date days” as part of their childhood

 

Do you have date days with your kiddos? If so, drop us a comment below and share with us what you do and where you go!

 

We would LOVE to hear from you!

 

5 Fantastic Father’s Day Ideas!

Father's Day!

Fantastic Father’s Day Ideas!

 

We’re OFFICIALLY 6 days away from Father’s Day! While this day takes on different meanings for everyone, the act of celebrating/commemorating that remarkable guy in your life is what Sunday is all about! Whoever you celebrate on this glorious day, we’ve captured five of the best ideas, (with a “smaller is better” theme in mind), to help you show some major love ♥ this Father’s Day (minus the tie…unless he likes that sort of thing!). 

Plan Some Downtime-Pressure Free

Does the dad in your life work a ton? ALWAYS on the go? Planning an outing complete with an amazing dinner may seem like a good plan to you, but remember, this is really about him. Father’s Day is really about letting him decide what he would like to do…minus the pressure. Hanging out at home may be just the ticket to a truly awesome Dad’s Day.

Here are a few “down” time ideas that are pretty simple but may help make it the best Dad’s Day-Ever:

  • Let him sleep in! 
  • Surprise him with breakfast and coffee first thing
  • Backyard games from baseball to horseshoes…he picks it!
  • Biking or taking a leisurely walk in the neighborhood

Awesome Activities that Aim to Please! 

For some, a perfect balance of downtime mixed with an outing is the best dad’s day combo anyone could ask for. Here are some ideas that can include the kiddos if you have them in tow:

  • Visit a local brewery! With craft beer gaining some major popularity lately, breweries seem to be popping up all over the place! Aside from serving up some pretty amazing beer and atmosphere, most have incorporated full on restaurants or even food trucks!  Dad can drink, kids can eat…win, win! 
  • Go for a Hike!  There are so many spots you can explore in your very own backyard! 
  • Go Deep Sea Fishing! Has the dad in your life ever wanted to try his hand at fishing out on a boat in the ocean? there are several charters that go out for half or full day adventures. This may be just the thing your special guy would want to try! 
  • Get Sporty! Do you have an avid baseball or soccer fan? Grab a pair of tickets to a professional or semi pro game to celebrate the day! Another idea-even if your dad’s favorite team is out of town on Father’s Day, you can always schedule a tour of the stadium or visit a local sports museum! 

 It’s often the smallest things that make the biggest impact–spending time together and reminding dad or your special guy just how much you love him is most important of all!

Getting Crafty: 

If you have younger kiddos at home, you can plan a low-key crafty activities with dad that’s sure to please both him and your kiddos.

  • Take home pottery to paint: Instead of handing dad a new coffee mug, why not have the kiddos and he paint them together in the comfort of home? Many pottery painting places have the option of taking your pottery home to paint it and then you can bring it back to have it “fired”. Pretty awesome-and not too expensive! 
  • Handprint Wall Sign - Gorgeous handprint project for your home!

      Handprint Wall Sign! Courtesy of theidearoom.net

Handprint memories: This simplistic and inexpensive handprint wall sign is an adorable keepsake and an awesome addition to your home décor! Plus, it makes a fun Father’s Day activity for everyone to create together!  I know we’ll be diving into this one on Sunday! 

 

Looking for a fun Father's Day craft your kids can make? I've got exactly what you're looking for right here! Dad will love it!

Create Adorable Cards:

You don’t have to create these amazingly simple, yet darling cards ahead of time! The card pictured above is from homeschoolpreschool.net and is a FREE downloadable with easy steps! Kiddos can create this card or any others WITH dad right on Sunday (eliminates the stress of planning with so little time left and it includes Dad in on the fun! ) https://homeschoolpreschool.net/fathers-day-craft/ 

Here’s some quick links to materials you might find useful when creating some adorable Father’s Day cards/painting: 

                                                  

Remind Him Why He’s So Amazing:

While this seems pretty obvious, I’ve  caught myself  forgetting to pause on this one. Let’s face it, the day can slip by (especially if you have little ones or a busy schedule) and sometimes we forget to stop and grab dad by the hand to let him know how you feel. Cards, outings and activities are all wonderful but sometime set aside while the littles are napping or when you have a moment alone to simply let him know why he’s so great can make a good day into an amazingly meaningful celebration. 

Spending Time Together: 

However your dad or special guy wants to celebrate his day, remember that the time spent together and focusing on your family is immeasurable. Anything from breakfast to a movie or story time at night, each moment shared is another memory to cherish. Just make certain that it’s time spent TOGETHER. It’s super easy to get sidetracked with the numerous items on always looming to-do lists-especially when it’s a Sunday. Our father’s Day tradition usually takes my husband out with my father-in-law and kiddos early in the morning on the golf course. I later meet up with them for breakfast/brunch on the golf course. We usually go home and hang out…which is perfect for my husband. A great balance of seeing his dad mixed with the littles. All while TOTALLY ignoring the five zillion things that need to get done at the house. It’s awesome-for everyone.  Whatever or wherever your Father’s Day takes you, remember:  snap lots of pictures together, steer clear of the “to-do” lists and make it about being together. 

Keeping it All So Simple: 

 

Whether this is his first “rodeo” or it’s his 20th Father’s Day, keep these key ideas in mind:

  • Keep the day about him-his choice- ALL day!
  • Remember to share some love by reminding him why he’s so amazing. 
  • Let him choose one activity or five! It’s his day.
  • Get crafty with a family based activity that doubles as an awesome keepsake.
  • Spending time together-YOUR time is what makes this day amazing. Skip the to-do lists.