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Daddy Daughter Date Ideas: 10 Fun and Inexpensive Options

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One on one time with your kids is super important, and these? 10 simple daddy daughter date ideas that everyone will love!

One on one time with your kids is super important, and these? 10 simple daddy daughter date ideas that everyone will love!

With the pace of life these days, the truth is that our time with our children is minimized.  I'm talking real, quality time without interruptions.  Between social media, work obligations, and the general pace of life…..as parents we need to be very intentional about devoting time to our little ones.  It's something that we have been working on a lot lately.  Each week, Robbie and I do a one on one date with Lydia and she's been loving it!  I made a long list of our mother daughter date ideas and thought it would be fun to share some of the daddy daughter date ideas that Robbie and Lydia have been enjoying.  Bonus? Most of these are inexpensive!

10 Fun Daddy Daughter Date Ideas

  1. Sports Event: I'm definitely not a sports person. My husband? HUGE college football and basketball fan.  So, dads? Take your daughter to a game.  A real live game.  I hope Lydia loves sports more than I do!
  2. Where I Go All Week: Take your daughter to visit your work.  Lydia knows that during the week daddy is “working”.  I doubt she understands what that actually means.  Let your daughter visit your office, that way she can picture you when you're gone!
  3. Build It: Build something together.  A clubhouse.  A picture frame.  A shelf.  If this isn't your strong suit…..take a class together at Home Depot, they have workshops for kids and parents each weekend!
  4. Cook Together: Shop for, prep, prepare and enjoy a meal together.  Let's face it, in MOST families…..the moms do the cooking.  It's about time we change that.  I don't care if your meal is a grilled cheese sandwich.  Select a menu together, and after preparing…..enjoy (and please don't forget to put the dishes in the dishwasher!)
  5. Where We Met: Most mothers feel a strong connection to their children in utero.  But dads? It's the moment they laid eyes on you.  Take your daughter back to visit where you first met her.  Yup, the hospital.  Look at the babies, and tell her about the day she made you a dad.  Want to really step it up? Bring cookies for the nurses in labor and delivery…..they deserve them!
  6. Backyard Sleepover: Set up a campsite in the backyard complete with tent, sleeping bags, and smores!
  7. Zoo: Head to your local zoo for the day.  At the entrance, grab a map and plan out which animals you'd like to visit! Focus on animals from one specific region……bonus if you're here in San Diego…..check out the Roar and Snore at the Safari Park….it's the ultimate zoo and sleepover experience.
  8. Dance Class: Take a dance class together! From hip hop to ballroom dancing, kids LOVE to move.  Take a class together, who knows….it could even becoming a weekly thing!
  9. Cinderella: Set up a in-home screening of Cinderella, complete with popcorn and crowns.  Bonus if you make your own crowns before the viewing! Want to really knock this one out of the park? Finish off with reading Cinderella stories from around the world.
  10. Her Choice: Ask your daughter to set the agenda for the day.  Let her pick her favorite activities to share with you!

So parents, what did I leave out? Leave your Daddy Daughter Date Ideas in the comments!

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  1. Susannah says

    January 21, 2016 at 11:41 am

    This is precious! I want Nate to have a daughter someday so he can go on dates with her. 🙂

    Reply
    • carly says

      January 21, 2016 at 11:44 am

      Aw, it’s the BEST! I love seeing Robbie and Lydia together!

      Reply
  2. Colby Shipwash says

    January 21, 2016 at 12:05 pm

    I have 4 daughters and I have to say you ideas are great for all of them! Thank You.

    Reply
    • carly says

      January 21, 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Aw thanks Colby, your comment totally made my day!

      Reply
  3. Kiki - According to Kiki says

    January 22, 2016 at 6:35 am

    My fiance loves to save his vacation days at work for the warmer weather and have daddy daughter dates with our little one. I never even get jealous because I know they need the quality time together. He loves taking her to a indoor trampoline park on the not so nice weather days, where they have a toddler play area. It’s safe, and perfect! I do feel like time is minimized. I get off work at 5 my little one wants to go to bed between 7 and 7:30. It’s a little heart breaking.

    Reply
    • carly says

      January 22, 2016 at 8:24 am

      Hi Kiki! I totally get it, that sounds like our schedule too! I pick Lydia up around 5, and I feel like I miss so much! I try to make the most of weekends and vacations….but it’s rough!

      Reply
  4. AmyLovestoSew says

    January 25, 2016 at 1:02 am

    Lovely ideas – will be trying these when my daughter is older (currently 3 months) I especially like the idea of my husband wearing a princess crown and watching cinderella, will definitely have to give that a try one day!

    Reply
    • carly says

      January 25, 2016 at 9:23 am

      Ha, right? One of my friends’ husbands did it, I was SO impressed!

      Reply
  5. Christie says

    January 25, 2016 at 6:38 pm

    Great post!!! This is adorable and so true. Love these suggestions!

    Christie
    The Closet by Christie

    Reply
    • carly says

      February 4, 2016 at 8:06 am

      Thanks Christie!

      Reply
  6. Lou Lou Girls says

    January 28, 2016 at 10:44 am

    Great post! Pinned and tweeted. Thanks for coming to our party and sharing such an amazing masterpiece! I hope to see you next Monday @7 because we love to party with you! Happy Thursday! Lou Lou Girls

    Reply
  7. Jamie says

    January 29, 2016 at 4:33 pm

    What great ideas!! Losing my Dad when I was 17, I so remember those small things that we did together years ago. 🙂 Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
    • carly says

      February 4, 2016 at 8:06 am

      Aw Jamie, this totally made my day……how special that you have those memories with him!

      Reply
  8. Frugal Hausfrau says

    February 1, 2016 at 9:05 pm

    Such a sweet idea! Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday, and we’ll be sure to pin it to our Throwback Thursday Board! 🙂

    Mollie

    Reply
  9. Dini @ The Flavor Bender says

    February 4, 2016 at 7:35 am

    These are beautiful ideas! I don’t have kids yet, but if I did, I can see my husband wanting to do all of these!! Especially the sports one! Like you, I’m not into sports but really want my (future) kids to like it more than I do 🙂
    Fantastic list of ideas!
    Thank you so much for sharing this with us at #SaucySaturdays! I hope you join us again this week 🙂
    Pinned!

    Reply
    • carly says

      February 4, 2016 at 8:07 am

      Ha, right? Robbie is currently teaching her about basketball, it’s so fun!

      Reply
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