So................ I hear regularly "Daddy Daughter Dates" and "Mom and Son Dates" these are fine and dandy when you have one, two or even three kids. But with five I find this to be a habit we can not afford, both time and money wise. So, (again) here is my idea to make Dad, Mom and Kid time fun....
FAMILY DATES
I know revolutionary right, ya not so much. But we love doing this! Our kids look forward to it and we ALL have fun TOGETHER! We just enjoy being together. Sometimes we go cheap and some times we go all out, and no matter which way we go, it's a fun time. Family time is FUN TIME!
My bit of advice for parents doing this is, if your a little bit up tight, this is time to relax and enjoy the childlike essence of your kids. "Feed from their essence" That was a little bit of "Dark Crystal" humor for you. Hope it wasn't creepy.
Not to say you won't have to reign them in now and again, especially when they are squawking like wild turkeys or jumping around like angry monkeys but let them certainly be kids, it's what they do best.
Here are a few things we do on our family dates...
1. Walk around at the mall, and let them look at shops. (no touching, just looking) Lesson in progress.
We also have them play in the mall play area, get the crazy wiggles out, let loose.
2. Peter Piper Pizza, we go here 2 to 3 times a year, it can be in the $40-60 range for our family with food and play. Even Dad and Mom get in on the play. When the tokens are all gone we count out our tickets together as a family and cash it in for some fun crappy toys that break an hour after we get home. But man is this all fun!
3. Red Box movie night. Or Netflix. Either way it's a night in, with popcorn, candy and some times soda's. We pick a family movie and turn down the lights so we have that movie theater feel in the room. We've done this on "no school" days and the kids go crazy for it.
4. We recently went to Polar Ice, an indoor ice skating rink, we took the older 3. The younger 2, well they wouldn't have had fun, we'll put it that way. So that one doesn't really count since the whole family wasn't in on it....scratch #4.
5. Back yard trampoline time. Okay this one doesn't last hours or even a half of one, but there is a LOT of laughter and so so so much fun in this. While dad is on the tramp it is game time! I think our neighbors think there is water boarding or some other method of torture going on in our backyard for all the yells, squeals and hollering. Then when everyone is so tired they can't stand, we go inside for some (depending on the time of year) Lemonade or Hot cocoa. Don't ask me why I capitalized those two.
6. Parks. In the summer here this is not permissible, but in the other 8 months of the year beautiful and perfect park weather. Take dinner (homecooked or not) to the park and this is a fun way to "eat out". And once the kids are done, they are free to go play on the park equipment. I like doing this with another family or two also, because the more kids the merrier! Ice cream sandwiches for dessert, a fav.
7. We've gone to Dairy Queen a number of times. Boom, family time.
8. Goofy Golf for the older kids. I think this is one we've wanted to do for years, with a bitty baby in tow it's a bit harder, but when the baby is about 3, I say it's time for some family goofy golf. I'm looking forward to doing this with my "older" family. Meaning everyone in between the ages of teen down to 3. Good fun for all.
I think from here there are endless ideas for good family dates. As long as your together and having fun, it's a date. Making it fun for everyone is some times a trick. But using your imagination and taking the family to familiar places as well as giving them new places to explore will help everyone continue to be excited about spending time together and strengthening the family bonds.
5. Back yard trampoline time. Okay this one doesn't last hours or even a half of one, but there is a LOT of laughter and so so so much fun in this. While dad is on the tramp it is game time! I think our neighbors think there is water boarding or some other method of torture going on in our backyard for all the yells, squeals and hollering. Then when everyone is so tired they can't stand, we go inside for some (depending on the time of year) Lemonade or Hot cocoa. Don't ask me why I capitalized those two.
6. Parks. In the summer here this is not permissible, but in the other 8 months of the year beautiful and perfect park weather. Take dinner (homecooked or not) to the park and this is a fun way to "eat out". And once the kids are done, they are free to go play on the park equipment. I like doing this with another family or two also, because the more kids the merrier! Ice cream sandwiches for dessert, a fav.
7. We've gone to Dairy Queen a number of times. Boom, family time.
8. Goofy Golf for the older kids. I think this is one we've wanted to do for years, with a bitty baby in tow it's a bit harder, but when the baby is about 3, I say it's time for some family goofy golf. I'm looking forward to doing this with my "older" family. Meaning everyone in between the ages of teen down to 3. Good fun for all.
I think from here there are endless ideas for good family dates. As long as your together and having fun, it's a date. Making it fun for everyone is some times a trick. But using your imagination and taking the family to familiar places as well as giving them new places to explore will help everyone continue to be excited about spending time together and strengthening the family bonds.
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