50 Mama + Me Date Ideas

The word ‘date’ is typically associated with romance (or anxiety haha), but have you ever thought to date your kids?

Take a moment to think about what happens during a date - you chat! You talk about goals, shared interests and exchange thoughts and ideas. You learn about the inner workings of that person through open conversation. Would it make sense then, that if you need to learn these things to gauge a potential relationship, you’d want to learn all those things about your kids too?

One-on-one dates with your child gives you the ability to:

• Bond
• Connect
• Increase trust
• Have an open conversation
• Ask questions
• Listen
• Make everlasting memories

By scheduling regular and consistent one-on-one time with our children we are providing the opportunity for those conversations to happen. By taking your child on a date, you give them the space and privacy they may need (especially as they get older) to really open up and tell you things. This is particularly true when you have more than one child.

Of course not all dates will result in a deep and meaningful conversation, the point here is to remind them that you are and will be available to them if and when they need you throughout their lives - and that you SEE them. As the unique and amazing individual they are.

SHARING MY FAVOURITE DATE IDEAS...

1. Make a Mummy & Me photo album together - this is my daughter Marleys favourite activity, she just loves looking at photos of herself and hearing stories from when she was a baby. What I like about this idea is that it isn't a one off thing, the album will continue to grow and can be revisited time and time again. I always get a little teary when we work on our album too.
2. Choose outfits - another popular date at my house. We head to the shops (with a budget) and choose an outfit for each other then wear it around town. Often times I end up in something sequinned and atrocious but it's all part of the fun!
3. Late night dance party with glow sticks - I have a strict bedtime at my house and so surprising Marley by letting her stay up late is the "coolest thing ever" apparently. Turn off the lights and party! This can seriously last an hour and my little girl will head to bed happy and gripping her glow sticks with memories of a fun time with Mum.
4. Tea Party - I think Marleys love language is tea parties, they always go down a treat and provide the perfect opportunity to chat and catch up. We've recently taken this a step further and will go out for high-teas around the country and pretend we are food critics.
5. Go out for ice cream - ice cream, need I say more? Super easy and casual, great for when you want to connect but may be a little short on time.

1. Exercise together
2. Have a one-on-one dinner at the dining table
3. Catch a show
4. Organise a staycation and spend the night in a hotel - order room service of course!
5. Buy a secret gift for someone
6. Visit your first home or old high school and share childhood stories
7. Design a fresh flower bouquet together at a local florist
8. Visit a library and read books together
9. Stargaze
10. Make jewellery
11. Give each other make overs
12. Have a pamper night
13. Fly a kite
14. Run in a race together
15. Ride scooters and bikes at the skate park
16. Sneak out before everyone is awake for a hot chocolate and breakfast
17. Dress up and go out for a fancy meal and practice manners
18. Go on a hike
19. Visit the arcade and stop by the photo booth to commemorate your outing
20. Feed the ducks
21. Paint/draw each others portraits
22. Have a picnic which they help to prepare and pack
23. Go rock climbing
24. Do a random act of kindness
25. Take a dance class together
26. Tie dye shirts
27. Play boardgames
28. Plant or work in the garden
29. Write a story together
30. Do a puzzle
31. Pretend you are on YouTube and film a Q&A video
32. Take a walk at a new park
33. Bake a dessert together to share with the family
34. Visit the $2 shop and buy something silly
    
35. Head to a movie
36. Buy a craft kit or Lego set and work together on it
37. Browse a pet store
38. Surprise your child by picking them up early from school
39. Go to a sporting event
40. Fill a time capsule
41. Play one-on-one sports
42. Teach playground games you played as a kid - hopscotch, skipping ropes etc.
43. PLAY at the playground
44. Plan a skit and perform it together for the family
45. Do a beach or park clean up

Tania of LMB. x