Inside: 13 Amazingly fun mother and son date ideas to enjoy some one-on-one bonding time.
“Mommy look! It’s a shield bug, he’s flying!”
I hear about bugs probably 45 times a day easily. I have to remember even though I don’t love bugs and don’t want them presented to me every time he finds one, (kind of a like a cat that brings it’s owner a mouse) this is my son’s way of sharing what he loves most with me.
My son is so independent and can easily keep himself occupied for lengthy periods of time.
This can be blessing when I need to work or finish chores, but it also easily slips my mind that he needs one-on-one time too.
It’s rare for him to ask me to play or do an activity with him, which is very different from my daughter, (who’s not shy about letting me know she wants time with me!).
But he has his own way of letting me know he needs time with me and that’s by talking to me about what interests him and showing me the things that he loves.
Your son needs one-on-one time with you even if he’s independent and doesn’t ask for it. So make time to connect with your son while he’s still little and you’ll have a great foundation for a solid relationship as he becomes older.
These are some fantastic mother and son date ideas to bond with your baby.
1. Have a water gun fight
Like many boys, my son loves to play with pretend weapons, (imagine pretend laser beams, pretend guns, and things of that nature). He loves to run around saying “fire, fire!” with anything that remotely resembles a pretend gun, (brooms, plastic tubes, paper towel tubes, a play guitar…).
So if you’ve got a boy who loves to play pretend guns or loves squirt guns, chasing each other around squirting each other with water is a great way to expend energy, laugh, and enjoy some friendly competition with your little man.
2. Play chase
Start a game of chase with your son. It probably won’t take long for him to join in. When my son and I play chase it usually ends in tickles and laughs!
3. Throw water balloons at each other
It’s chase, water, and throwing stuff all in one game! This is a perfect mother and son date when it’s hot outside.
Related: 8 Favorite Summer Activities For Kids
4. Take him to get ice cream
You can enjoy sweets together and sit outside if it’s nice. You guys can nature watch, talk, or go for a walk while you eat your ice cream.
Related: 10 Easy Ways To Show Your Toddler You Love Them
5. Go bowling, mini golfing, or visit a trampoline center
If you want to take your son out somewhere you can go to one of these places. Your son will love a friendly competitive game with you or jumping around with you!
6. Do a puzzle together
Take out some puzzles and work as a team to piece them together. This is a wonderful brain stimulating activity and is also nice and peaceful. This can be a good wind down mommy and son date.
7. Watch an action movie
My son enjoys watching movies, but there’s nothing quite like an action movie. All of a sudden he’s jumping off the couch and running around in circles saying he’s a superhero! So get in on the movies he loves and watch and act out an action movie with him!
8. Take him outside
Let your son take the lead and decide what you guys do. Does he want to have a race? Does he want to look at plants? Does he want to go on a bug hunt? (This is my son’s favorite thing. He can tell me the correct names to lots of different bugs and it amazes me. He’s 3 and he knows what a giraffe weevil is!)
Allowing him to choose what you guys do will make him feel special and let you in on what he truly loves to do.
Related: 25+ Amazing Fall Activities For Kids
9. Play in the rain
Boys just go all in on whatever activity they’re doing. So if it’s messy or wet, they’ll get messy and wet. I don’t even think they realize it half the time because they’re so engrossed with what they’re doing! Surprise him and ask to join him as you guys jump in puddles and play in the rain!
10. Play in the snow
Bundle up and have a mother and son date where you guys have a snowball fight, go sledding, build a snow fort, or build a snowman. Then once you’re both frozen and snowed out, you can come inside, have hot chocolate together, and warm up.
Related: 30 Fun Indoor and Outdoor Winter Activities For Kids
11. Go to the zoo
Take your son to see his favorite animals at the zoo. Let him pick out the animals you guys go and see. Ask him questions about his favorite animals and let him surprise you with all the facts he knows. Then share animal facts with him.
12. Hide and seek
Your mischievous boy will love a game of hide and seek. See how many original places you guys can hide. And if he’s anything like my son, try not to find him too fast when his giggles give him away!
13. Look at the moon/night sky
Take him outside at night and gaze at the stars, make a wish on a star, look at constellations, and look at the moon. Another peaceful activity you can do with your son and can be a great way to bond right before bedtime.
Final thoughts
Your son might love bugs, (much to your chagrin). He may be adventurous, wild, and independent. He’s also precious and needs time with you.
That one-on-one time while they’re little will solidify your bond as they grow older. Enjoy these mother and son date ideas with your little boy and reap the rewards later!
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