I’m not sure if there is anything sweeter than the love between a daddy and his little girl. I have loved watching the bond that our toddler has with her daddy. He can make her laugh harder than anyone I know. And now, our 6-month-old daughter’s smile lights up the room at the sight of her daddy, too. I always hate leaving our girls to go to work, but the positive thing is that it gives my husband and our daughters the opportunity for some quality daddy-daughter time.
Over the past couple of years, they have enjoyed a variety of activities together, and I have listed some of their favorite ones below.
12 Daddy-Daughter Activities – Toddler Edition:
1. Go to the park.
We have an adorable little park in our neighborhood. From sliding to swinging to playing on the merry-go-round, it’s the perfect place to share some laughter and fun.
2. Tour the local fire station.
There is so much to learn and see at the fire station. Firefighters are usually open to giving tours and teaching kids about the fire trucks and engines in between runs. It is also a great opportunity for your little one to take some treats to the firefighters to thank them for their service to the community.
3. Go out for ice cream.
Who doesn’t love ice cream? Head to the local ice cream shop and enjoy an ice cream treat together.
4. Feed the ducks.
If you have a duck pond nearby, take your little one to feed the ducks. When our daughter feeds the ducks, there is no shortage of giggles and excitement.
5. Have dinner at Chick-fil-A.
Chick-fil-A is awesome because they take great care of their customers, and they seem to go out of their way to help out families with little ones. They’ll deliver the food to the table and ask if they can bring anything else. They have plastic placemats that stick to the table for the kids and provide hand sanitizer wipes as well. Some locations have playgrounds with a little play area specifically for toddlers.
6. Attend story time at the library.
Many libraries have story times set aside for toddlers. Our local library has multiple story times with some in the mornings and some in the evenings to accommodate a variety of schedules. If your local library does not have a dedicated toddler story time, dads and daughters can still have their own story time together at the library. It’s a great opportunity for little ones to check out some new books, too.
7. Visit the church playground.
Check with the local church to see if they have times that the playground is open for public use. Some churches also have indoor play areas that are open to the public that are great for rainy days.
8. Play soccer in the backyard.
Our daughter loves to be outside. Take a ball outside and kick it around with her. Teach her how to kick the ball and how to throw it.
9. Take a trip to the grocery store.
This gives Dad an opportunity to pick up some groceries while also having fun with the little one. Our daughter loves going to store with Daddy in his truck and has a blast being pushed around in the shopping cart. She’s always saying, “Faster! Faster!”
10. Fly a kite.
On a windy day, take a trip to the park to fly a kite. There’s something magical about a toddler seeing a kite fly for the first time.
11. Go on a nature walk.
Nature walks are wonderful because you can go on a nature walk in your own backyard. Talk about the leaves on the ground, the dirt in the flowerbeds, insects that you see, and the acorns that fell from the tree. Toddlers love to be hands-on and soak up new information.
12. Visit the pet store.
Going to the pet store is an exciting and free way to see some animals. Our daughter loves to see the fish, birds, and hamsters. She also enjoys visiting with the dogs that are there with their owners getting bathed or trained. There is always plenty to see and talk about at the pet store.
These activities are simple but can be so meaningful to both dads and daughters. Daddy-daughter time doesn’t have to be anything elaborate or expensive. They are just little opportunities for dads to connect with their daughters while making memories that last a lifetime.
More from Heart, Home & Travel:
- 15+ New Dad Tips for the First Six Weeks at Home with a Newborn
- 15 Fun Gift Ideas for a 2 Year Old
- 10 Steps to the Perfect (and Super Simple) Party in the Park
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