What can a dad do with his daughter that will help us bond? ?

Question

I am looking for something that just me and my daughter can do on a sat. afternoon? She is 8. I am married and we feel that I should spend some one on one time with her and my wife should spend time with our son.

Answer 1

mini golf

Answer 2

As long as I can remember me and my dad have always taken a few days out every few months to spend together. Because we have been doing it since I was about 4 or 5 he wants it to be just us, so my little sister Grace stays at our grandparents in Milwaukee for a few days which she sees as her own adventure.

We go to Colorado and camp near the Rocky Mountains. We fish for trout and cook it over the fire and hike up the Mountains. It's always been the most fun days of my life! And he just tells school I'm sick every now and then- Shhh! xD

My dad then has separate time with Grace when I'm not around so neither of us gets left out.

I'm guessing you can't just up and leave to Colorado all the time, but there's plenty of other things you can do. Stuff like my 28 year old brother Jack does with me whenever he's home from Flight School.

We go out to the movies- Batman was awesome!- and then go to an ice cream parlor or a restaurant afterwards. We walk the dog around the fields, or go to Wright-Patterson Museum- Military passes get you in so much easier!

Roller disco is apparantly making a comeback, and mini golf or bowling is always a good time.

You're best bet would be to ask her what she would like to do with you. She might just want to sit and talk. Little girls love separate time with their daddies. I know i do!

I hope you and your daughter have a great time together, whatever you decide to do!

Answer 3

We were a pretty athletic family so this may not work all that well for you, but growing up, the one thing I remember doing consistently with my dad was going out to the backyard and having a catch. I was able to talk to him during that time in a way that didn't leave me #1 embarrassed and #2 feeling like I was getting a lecture. We just casually talked over my life while tossing the ball back and forth. My husband now takes our oldest daughter out and they kick around the soccer ball. Its nice because the mom's dont get involved, my mom had no time to come outside and interfere and neither do I.

If you can find an activity she likes to do, even if its just sitting down with her and coloring together, rather than planning an "event" like going to the movies I think that will help you bond better. Something where you are both relaxed and not trying to stay on a schedule, to me, is a better idea because you both won't even realize you are doing it.

Answer 4

Ask her what she wants to do.  I would keep it something that you can talk during, not like a movie-unless you go out to eat afterwards or for a walk, etc. during which time you can talk.

I believe that talking is important.  Listen to her, even if it is stuff thta you find uninteresting (such as the Jonas Brothers or the like).

Cook supper together

Go out for ice cream

Go for a walk around your neighborhood (you can make this a ritual)

Visit the park, aquarium, zoo, children's museum, etc.

Go to the beach (either swimming or just for a walk)

Movies

Miniature Golf

Start a hobby together, such as building a bird house.  The home supply stores (Lowe's, Home Depot) all have weekend programs for children, where they get an apron, etc.  That could turn into an ongoing project...build a bird house (design, paint, etc.) and then install a bird bath, and then a bird feeder, and then plant flowers to attract birds, etc.  Then you and your daughter could sit outside and talk while watching the birds enjoy your hard work.

I hope this helps!

Answer 5

Anything as long as you are both having fun.  All my kids loved to go hunting or fishing with their dad at that age.  But on the same note they loved anything where they got to spend time with him and did not have to share him. Just because she is a girl does not mean that it has to be some girly activity.

Answer 6

is she "crafty"? If so you can make a craft w/ her and that will give you time to talk and something to focus on as well.

Answer 7

It doesn't need to be a big deal -- it just has to be fun, and something you both like. And something you are both doing. Taking her to the park and watching her doesn't really do anything. Push her on the swings, or do the other end of the teeter-totter.

You can put a puzzle together. You can make something in the kitchen. You can go for a hike (but gear this to *her* physical fitness). Go skating, or take the dog for a walk. Let her "do" your hair, and do the dolly thing (I think dads can get a little . . . dramatic with the dollies, which can be fun).

Going to a movie, and an ice cream parlor afterward and talk about the movie is also something that would be good.

Bowling? Even if she can't hit anything, it's fun to roll the ball down the alley.

Just take things at her pace, and see where it leads. The point is not to be a champion bowler or skater, but to have a shared experience that you can talk about later.

Answer 8

what do girls like to do more than anything-SHOPPING!!!!  take her out for a special lunch and then to get a special outfit.  or even bowling.  let it be something that just you & her do.  she will realize it's a special thing and appreciate it.  my daughter and husband do things like that all the time.  

Answer 9

My daughter loves to hang out with her dad and help him fix things.  She likes to hang with him in the garage and talk to him about what he is working on and mess around with his tools.  When they are doing this he can get her to talk to him about her life.

Answer 10

Look at a family photo album.  My 8 yr old likes to hear stories about family members and even stories about when he was a baby and a toddler.   Throw in stories about when you were a kid and even perhaps stories about problems you faced or trouble you got  into and how you managed to solve the problem or the punishment for something you did.  This is a good time with stories to help your child learn how to deal with a problem.    It is also good so your child realizes that she or he are not the only person in the world to ever have the problem.  I know many children feel they have a world shattering problem.   May be they need help dealing with something at school.

Anyway it helps to share.

Just listening even if it isn't the most exciting news in the world to you.  Besides it is always interesting to "see" the world from a child's perspective.

Play the imagination games, let her make the rules even if she changes them every five minutes.  Let her take the lead.    Read a book together.  Kids this age love to play act.  You be the mommy I'll be the baby.   Gives you insight onto how they think you parent.

good luck

Answer 11

Build-a-bear workshop, arcade, lunch and ice cream.

Answer 12

my pops always took me out for lunch every sunday.  then it was always something new, fishing, hiking, spending a day at the beach, reading some long book series, teaching me to cook something new, one day we even spent a whole afternoon watching a starfish move across the tide pool, h**l even watching old movies with tons of popcorn and koolaid was great.  Seriously the best idea my parents ever had.  My pops will forever be one of the strongest influences in my life.   I may be the biggest daddy's gurl out there, but I learned so much from him.   Every fond memory I have involves those Sundays.

Take cues from your daughter.  See what she wants to do.  It doesn't have to involve money.  A simple walk through the park would be great.  An afternoon in the library picking out books to read together.   Teach her to play softball, go swimming. anything.  It will be time well spent!

Answer 13

park, ice cream, walks, movie.