So, it’s date night… with kids! Not quite the romantic whirlwind that a couple date would have, but it can still be fun for everyone. The key is to have an activity that can be fully enjoyed by children and adults alike, even if it requires the adults to channel their inner child a bit more than usual.
Here are 10 simple ideas that will entertain kids of all ages:
Go for a family swim. Whether swimming at a lake or at a pool, it’s guaranteed to be fun for everyone. ‘Cannonball!’
Cook dinner and dessert together, assigning the kids to a course of their very own (salads or appetizers is a good choice). Get dressed up, play dinner music, light candles and enjoy a fancy meal. This is a great idea for picky eaters as well, as they’re more likely to eat something they’ve helped to prepare.
Volunteer. There are many volunteer opportunities that are child-friendly, fun, will bring you closer as a family and make you, and others, feel good.
Bowling is fun for kids of all ages. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes and have a great time!
Go for a picnic. Prepare a meal together, choose a destination, maybe somewhere outside of your usual hangouts and enjoy.
Does your family enjoy a little bit of friendly competition? Try mini-golf or go-carting. Even if you don’t keep score, the whole family wins at a fun outing together.
A mini road trip can be an adventure without much expense. Choose a little town outside of Calgary and visit for the day. Explore the local museums, restaurants, parks and points of interest - every town has one! Have you seen the Gopher Museum in Torrington? You really should.
Create a scavenger hunt. You can do a scavenger hunt indoors on a rainy day, or around your neighborhood or the city if your children are older. Be sure to have prizes for the winners.
Check out some local theatre. Calgary has so many options. It’s a bit more special than a regular movie, and gives you a chance to get dressed up and go out together.
Plan and plant a garden together. Research what types of plants, flowers or vegetables thrive in Calgary, figure out when the best week to plant will be and plot out a little garden location. Most kids will enjoy digging in the dirt, watering and weeding their little project, and the joy of seeing something grow from a seed into a plant. Very satisfying.
Eve is a Maritimer with an incurable case of wanderlust who has now put down roots in Calgary with her three lovely daughters. An avid writer from the time she could hold a pencil, she is an enthusiast enthusiast, and enjoys bringing people together as a matchmaker/love ninja at modernblinddates.com.
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