Let’s face it. Date nights aren’t as simple with a toddler running around. (Well, nothing is simple with a toddler running around.) Having kids in the picture drastically cuts down your list of date night ideas. You simply can’t go to the places you would normally go if it was just you and your significant other. And sometimes, getting a baby sitter just isn’t an option. A fun date night for me would be going ice skating in a beautiful outdoor rink on a chilly December night. Now imagine throwing a two year old in the mix. Just no. Sometimes you want to do other things besides going to the zoo or getting ice cream. That’s why I’ve come up with a list of fun date ideas that you and your toddler can enjoy.
1. Picnic
Picnics are awesome because they can be done anywhere and at any time of the day, especially if the weather is nice. They’re super easy to pack for. Some ideal picnic foods are just finger foods that you can quickly prepare like fruits, vegetables, sandwiches and whatever snacks you have lying around in your pantry. Finger foods are great for toddlers especially because it minimizes the mess. Anything to minimize the mess guys. Be sure to bring a blanket, napkins and utensils. If you want to make this even more enjoyable for the family, bring along a kite or bubbles!
2. Visit a Museum
What better way to spend a rainy afternoon than going to a museum! Try to find a science museum with lots of hands on stuff that will interest your toddler. At the same time, you’ll even learn a thing or two. Our local science museum is great because it really captivates the interest of both adults and children. It’s just an all around great experience for the whole family.
3. Build Your Own Pizzas
Let me just tell you from now, this is going to be messy. Really fun. But really messy. It’s okay though because you’ll be in the comfort of your own home and your reward is yummy pizza. There are lots of ways to do this and it really goes back to what you and your family like. You can make your own dough, which really isn’t as hard as you think. You can always buy ready pre-made dough if making it from scratch isn’t your thing. Same goes for the sauce. Get lots of yummy toppings and cheese of course. Create an organized pizza making station to make it easier for everyone to choose their toppings. You will probably have to help your toddler out a bit so their pizza will actually make it into the oven. The process of making their own pizza and just being able to be creative makes it really enjoyable for your kids.
4. Go For a Walk
Sometimes, simpler is better. Going for a walk is so refreshing. Leave your phones at home and focus on your family. Get outside, breathe in that fresh air and admire your surroundings. It gives you and your significant other a chance to talk about anything and everything. If your toddler is anything like mine, they will most likely be walking with you instead of being in a stroller. Let them guide you and watch what interests them. Not only will your toddler be burning their energy, but you’ll also be burning calories without even noticing.
5. Movie Night
There’s nothing like a good ol’ movie night. Staying in to watch a movie will save you a penny or two. And the chances of your toddler having a meltdown are not as likely as they would be if you had gone to a cinema. Prepare your favorite snacks and drinks. Find a movie that the whole family can enjoy. Personally, I love kids’ movies. I could watch anything that my toddler watches (non baby-ish) and I’d be a happy woman. So just get into your comfortable pajamas and enjoy a relaxing movie night at home.
Don’t ever think that just because you have kids, you can’t have fun anymore or you can’t spend quality time with your significant other. It is harder and requires more creativity to think of ideas that work for your family. But there’s really nothing like truly enjoying the company of your family. If you have other ideas please share them in the comments so we can learn from each other!