20 Family Friendly Date Ideas

I feel like Valentine’s Day is typically so focused on the couple that it almost feels exclusive to parents. Like we only celebrate the holiday without our kids. This rarely happens, at least in our house. Sure J and I do date nights here and there to spend time together, but we also do a ton of family date nights out. We love being around our kids, doing things with our kids and taking them out and about.

To be honest, we’ve been taking the girls out ever since they were babies. I’m talking like just a few days old.

We always believed that taking them out and about early, and continuing to take them out did two things. First and foremost it got us out of the house. Which, if you’re a new parent, or have been there, then you know that can be a challenge. But YOU HAVE to do this for your own mental sanity. You don’t want to loose yourself to parenthood (if you feel like you are then read this post ASAP).

Do your best to remain a women outside of being a mom. Try and let all of those things stressing you out about being a parent and get out, even if it’s with your kids. Also, be sure to actually get yourself together for the outing. Take a shower, do something with your hair and make up and wear jeans!

The second thing is J and I believe is raising our kids where they go out to eat, or some kind of public activity, actually helps them behave better while being out. There’s nothing worse than seeing ‘Those Parents” with the kids that don’t know how to behave in a restaurant.

Don’t get me wrong, I know there are absolutely times there is nothing you can do. Kids will be kids and will throw the occasional tantrum, but for us it’s actually pretty rare. Personally, I believe it’s because we’ve exposed our kids to being out at least once a week.

We have always done a family date night pretty much every Friday for as long as I can remember. We eat in pretty much every night, so we make going out on Friday and/or Saturday a big to-do. This way it’s definitely special, and feels like a treat.

Anyway, the point of this post is that getting out with the kids is both good for you and good for them. However, I know not everyone can afford to get out once a week. So I want to share some Family Friendly Date ideas that you can incorporate once a week, month or how ever often you can.

20 Family Friendly Date Ideas

• Bowling – check with your local bowling places as they often have specials for kids. We joined a summer program at one of ours where kids bowled free every Sunday.
• Sporting Event – this could be a friends game, the local high school or even college games can be affordable
• Hike or walk
• Go out to lunch – lunch is often cheaper, so this is a great alternative to going out during the dinner hour, plus if your kids are a little on the rowdier side you can time it to be out when places are less crowded.
• Saturday Morning Breakfast
• Go out for dessert – another great way to get out and about affordable is to eat dinner in, but go out for ice cream or eat dessert at your favorite restaraunt
• Picnic – make your meal at home and them go to the park to eat and let the kids play
• Pottery Class – take your kids to one of those classes where you can make and paint your own piece.
• Go to a Children’s Museum

• Story Time at the Library
• Go to the Zoo
• Mini Golf
• Go to the movies – if you go on Saturday mornings is much cheaper than going in the evening
• Take a cooking class – many cooking school offer classes for kids
• Coffee date – You get the coffee grab them a steamer or a yummy pastry
• Plan a night with friends – trade off going to each others houses, this allows everyone to host, but also a chance to get out.
• Scavenger Hunt – put together a list of things to find around town. Hop in the car together to find them, or split up and meet up a place once your done for special treat.
• Go to a play – find a children’s theater, or if its during the school year see when the local high is putting on their seasonal play
• Game Night – if you can’t always get out stay in and play. Get out the games, puzzles and cards.
• Theme Night – whether you go out or stay in pick a theme night and take it to the extreme. Dress up, go eat/or make food to match it and play it up and have fun.

There are so many more things you can easily do at home. But I challenge you to try and get out more with your kids. It’s good for everyone, plus it fun!

Tell me in the comments below what your favorite family date activities is!

Thank you so much for stopping by!