Take Your Kid on a Date!

The kids and I spend a lot quality family time together, but I rarely get to spend time with them individually.  I wouldn’t trade my growing family for the world and I love our days spent all together…but, wouldn’t it be nice to have some individual time with each child?

So, during the month of February I’ve decided to take each of my children on a date!  I proposed this idea to the kids and they were thrilled with the thought of going on a special outing and receiving my undivided attention.  Better yet, I told the kids that they could pick the activity that we’d do!  Instead of them asking me, “What are we going to do today?” they could choose whatever they wanted. (I did impose some restrictions – I will not be taking anyone to Disney World, much to their disappointment.)

So, the kids and I got out my day-planner and they each picked a free day for their “date.”  Then all three of them sat down and we brainstormed some ideas for local places we could go on our respective dates.  We came up with a list that the kids are over the moon about!  Each child will get to pick a place or activity on our list when their date day arrives.  We haven’t gone on our mom-kid dates yet but will go on them over the course of February.  I can’t wait to spend some one-on-one time with each of my little guys.  I have a feeling that I’m going to learn something new about each of them – what could possibly beat that?

Here’s the list of date ideas that the kids and I put together:

1. Go to See a Play: The kids love going to local Theatre!  We get dressed up and really make a big deal about going to plays.  I remember my parents taking me to local plays when I was a child and it always felt magical to get dressed up and go out!  See my Theatre Page for all of the local productions happening over the next few months.
2. Go to a Paint Your Own Pottery Studio:  My oldest daughter has been asking to go to a paint-your-own pottery studio for months!  I haven’t taken her because my son really cannot sit still in that kind of environment and I have nightmares over just how many things he could manage to break in the time it takes her to paint something.  That said, this would be a great one-on-one activity.
3. Go to the Movies: My kids love going to the movies! It’s definitely a treat.
4. Go out to Eat: There are a lot of kid-friendly restaurants in our area and my children love them all – they are so discerning ; ).  Check out my Kid-Friendly Restaurant page for local Kid’s Eat for FREE nights and programs.  (Doesn’t food taste better when it’s free or cheap?)
5. Go to Chuck E. Cheese: Admittedly, Chuck E. Cheese is not necessarily my first choice in entertainment but all of my children LOVE this place.  Check out their website prior to going, they always seem to have coupons on their site and they also have printable Rewards Calendars that the kids can fill out, bring with them and redeem for free tokens.
6. Build a Bear: Have your child pick out his favorite Build-a-Bear stuffed friend and bring it into the store for some pampering!  If you are a member of Build-a-Bear’s Stuff fur Stuff Club (membership is free) your child’s favorite furry friend will receive free ribbons, bows and fluffs every time he visits.  My kids think all of this furry friend pampering is fantastic.  When your child’s friend has been sufficiently coiffed, you, your child and his friend can go to grab a snack at a coffee shop or bakery.  Make sure that your bear friend has his own seat!
7. Go out to a Bakery or Cupcake Shop:  This is one of their favorites and we love the Cake Fairy!
8. Go to the Library: Take your child to your local library and read with him!  Then let him pick out any 2-3 books he wants to bring home (even if it’s the same 3 books that you’ve read a thousand times already).
9. Create Something: Go to the craft store and let your child pick out a craft that you can bring home and do together.  I was just in the craft store and saw a “make your own race car” set in the dollar section.  My son would love building (and racing) this car!
10. Go to one of our many local Museums, Zoo’s, or Science Centers: Spend an afternoon with your child exploring one of these places!  Please see my Museums and Science Centers page for a list local attractions.

If you have ideas to add to this list I would love to hear them!