No matter how busy we get, spending time with each of our children individually should always be a priority. You let them know that they are important when you take time to listen to their cares and worries without distractions from siblings.
Yet it can be hard to think of ideas for how to spend these moments together, especially when life starts to feel a little mundane. Below are some of the best ways you can take advantage of your one-on-one time with your daughter.
*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.
Get Your Nails Done
$$$ Kid manicures and pedicures are usually discounted at the salon. You might pay $25 for a basic mani, but a kid one would be $10, for example. This makes it more affordable to take your daughter to get her fingernails and toenails painted.
I took my oldest recently and she was fascinated by the kid-sized pedicure chair and the teddy bear headrest cover.
$ Budget-Friendly Alternative: If you don’t want to spend the money on a salon manicure, why not soak your feet at home together and paint them for her? You can let her paint your nails, or try to. I’ve also traced my hands on cardboard. Draw little fingernail shapes, then let her paint regular nail polish on the cardboard nails. They love it, and it extends the nail painting time a little longer.
Get Coffee
$$$ If you’re jonesing for a Starbucks, it’s great to go when you only have one kid with you because the fewer people you take on your Starbucks run, the less you spend. Plus your errand-running afternoon suddenly becomes a date with mommy, and time spent one-on-one with your kiddo is never wasted.
$ Budget-Friendly Alternative: Have tea time or make coffee at home. Let your daughter have a decaf Keurig beverage all to herself. You could even buy a pack of fancy cookies to go with your stay-in-date tea party. Visit the dollar store for cute napkins, or bust out the cloth napkins you usually reserve for holidays.
Go Shopping
$$$ Sometimes this can feel like a disaster if you have a habit of arguing with your daughter about what to buy. Their taste and yours don’t match, so the frustration builds.
Instead of going when she needs something new, like a pair of shoes or something for school, go for fun. Look around and make it a point to window shop, noting fun things or coming up with new ideas together. This takes the pressure off because there’s nothing you have to get.
Set a budget if you do want to let her get something, or take her to spend her own money from her piggy bank. Get something for yourself as a treat, too.
$ Visit the Dollar Store or Five Below to find an inexpensive treat for your child. You might also instead help them choose a small gift for a sibling or loved one so they learn to have a generous spirit, instead of focusing on consumerism.
Special Activities
A mommy-daughter date doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. Your child will appreciate having you all to herself. However, if you want to try a special activity, below is a list of ideas. Check with your local groups and listings to find specifics to your city. Often local areas have special Facebook groups for mommies to ask questions. This is especially helpful if you are new to the area.
Visit the zoo
Museums: history museum, train museum, superhero museum, kids museum, science museum, small local museums
Splash pad
Pool
Botanic garden or public park
Playground
Local festival or parade
Go for a walk
Scavenger hunt (Pinterest can help here)
Bike ride
Play with chalk
Fly a kite
Use bubbles
Go fishing
Celebrate a random holiday
Go see a movie
Many of these activities can be adapted for the weather or the season. Get creative with your ideas, and check with your daughter to see what she is interested in doing with you. Often they have plenty of ideas of their own.
Quality Time
The most important part of your date is spending quality time with your kids. You can pay special attention to their love languages, which do develop early. Yet 1:1 time is vital, even if that’s not their main love language.
For more on life with kids, check out these other posts from A Wild Lass:
*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.