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Original poster

'Quality time' ideas for DC7

28 replies

FusionChefGeoff · 17/05/2022 21:42

I've got a few days over the weekends / summer where it's just DD and I as DS and DH are off doing their own thing.

I'm bad for just mooching at home getting things done whilst she plays so need to have a plan to make more of these days.

She's 7 and I'm looking for ideas of how to make the days feel special / things we could do together - but don't feel too much like DS would be missing out so big day trips eg theme parks / zoos / beaches wouldn't feel very fair.

We'll have a look at the cinema - but she's at that age that she doesn't really come up with ideas it's up to me to introduce her to new things!

OP posts:
Findahouse21 · 17/05/2022 21:44

Shopping trip
Baking - plan and make
Movie time including home made popcorn
Craft projects that need some adult input
Learning a new skill together, for instanxe dd and I are going to do a parent child sewing workshop
Reading a book together

MsMarvellous · 17/05/2022 21:46

Walk by the river and an ice cream from the van

Doing a jigsaw

Making some crafts (mine enjoyed having a go at origami)

Beach trip

Velvian · 17/05/2022 22:06

Me and DD love pottery painting at our local ceramic cafe. Another really fun activity was a tie dye kits, we tie dyed everything, it was brilliant.

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Families
Reluctantadult · 17/05/2022 22:08

My 7yo likes to go to the pub for lunch 😂

Reluctantadult · 17/05/2022 22:08

Bike rides

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 17/05/2022 22:11

My DD loves pretending to be a grown up and going to a cafe for coffee (hot chocolate) and a cake and chatting about life.

scrivette · 17/05/2022 22:22

My almost 7 year old would want something to do with food, ice cream at the ice cream parlour, afternoon tea or just cake in a cafe.

The other thing the DC ask for when they are on their own is swimming.

How about the cinema?

wizzler · 17/05/2022 22:25

I second pot painting.. dd loved that when she was small

Also enjoyed craft kits like tie dye

ChittyChittyBoomBoom · 17/05/2022 22:26

Baking
Going for fancy milkshake /icecream
tie dying a white t shirt (you can get kits)
swimming pool with slides
rollerskating
geo caching
camp out in the garden

Howmanysleepsnow · 17/05/2022 22:28

Laser tag
bowling
cinema
shopping trip
picnic
toast marshmallows
beach
ice cream parlour
make pancakes
ice skating
trampolining
bbq
farm
climbing wall
high ropes
bike ride
scooter ride
pizza and a movie
craft (fimo?)
baking
plant up an area of the garden for her to look after/ grow things
pet shop to see the animals
build dens in the woods
have a friend over

Louise0701 · 17/05/2022 22:32

Things I do with DD

nice restaurant for lunch
Shopping
cinema
ice skating
horse riding
crazy golf
lego
baking
craft
trampoline park
dessert parlour
book shop followed by cafe / coffee shop to read new books

maturestudent74 · 17/05/2022 22:33

Reluctantadult · 17/05/2022 22:08

My 7yo likes to go to the pub for lunch 😂

Haha! Mine too.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 17/05/2022 22:36

If you are near a train station, take a train over to the next town/city. Look in a museum or gallery then go for tea and cake.

MarmiteCoriander · 17/05/2022 22:40

Lots of great suggestions already, but what about Christmas decorations? Age 8, we lived abroad and due to shipment timelines, had no TV for a month! During that time, I recall mum and I making some lovely Christmas tree baubles and decorations. Mid 40's now, mum still has these and displays them every year.

What about making a few longer lasting baubles or decorations what could come out each year, and remind you both of the lovely time together?

Madcats · 17/05/2022 22:42

Budget(ish)?

Are you normally around to do stuff as a family?

I remember sitting next to a mother and (youngish) kid in a Jamies where she spent the first 5 minutes telling him he should be so pleased that she she had the day off..... Readers, he started crying and they didn't eat a thing.

Sometimes it is good to just have a lazy day with snacks and a picnic blanket (if you are busy busy-explain why).

VintageGibbon · 17/05/2022 22:51

Craft activities - making pots or bracelets or perfumes, soaps or candles.

A day trip focused on something that really interests her but that DS is less bothered by. E.g. Harry Potter world or the exhibition of tiny worlds on in London.

Definitely take her swimming - maybe to an outdoor pool. Having one DC means you can swim yourself and still keep an eye on her, as well as helping her improve. DS2 and I used to go swimming together a fair bit. We loved it.

MichelleScarn · 17/05/2022 22:57

She's 7 and I'm looking for ideas of how to make the days feel special / things we could do together - but don't feel too much like DS would be missing out so big day trips eg theme parks / zoos / beaches wouldn't feel very fair.

What is ds up to, and is the same concern being given to his planned activities about dd missing out?

Notdoingthis · 18/05/2022 02:57

Climbing centre
Bike ride
Boat ride
Train ride
Donkey ride
Pony ride
Our for lunch
Baking
Camping
Paint a pot
Crazy golf
Day at the beach
Lake swim
Lido
Swimming pool

Seedoftime · 18/05/2022 05:56

I agree with a pp. What is your DS doing with DH, won't DD be missing out on that? So why can't she have a trip out with you?

Go to the zoo if she would like to!
What is she interested in?

Original poster
FusionChefGeoff · 18/05/2022 10:44

These are amazing thanks so much - when I wrote my OP I thought 'God get a grip fusion it's not hard why can't you do this yourself?!' But these are lovely, simple ideas she will love!

She's really into craft (so am I) so I'm looking into the pottery painting options and a tie dye afternoon would be amazing fun.

OP posts:
Original poster
FusionChefGeoff · 18/05/2022 13:21

DS and DH are watching cricket and she has no interest in that and in an ideal world I'll try to find things she would LOVE but that we wouldn't normally do as DS would moan. So all the craft based ideas are ace.

Budget could spend £30-£40 including food etc.

We're not a 'days out' sort of family Grin. We do lots of sport together / park / games at home and separately / spectating then holidays / weekends away but the day trip is a fairly alien concept! I always really enjoy them it's just finding a gap in between all the sport!

OP posts:
Original poster
FusionChefGeoff · 18/05/2022 13:22

Actually she'd probably love our local farm but which is a bit young for DS nowadays so that's a definite winner if weather is good

OP posts:
cigarettesNalcohol · 18/05/2022 13:32

Why wouldn't it be fair to take her to the zoo or similar because DS would miss out - you said he's off doing his own thing so surely it's DD who is missing out right.

Or is what DS doing not 'fun' ?

Seedoftime · 18/05/2022 15:26

and in an ideal world I'll try to find things she would LOVE but that we wouldn't normally do as DS would moan

Are you serious?! Are you saying your DD can't ever do something she would LOVE to do as a family because the boy of the family might moan? What exactly are you trying to teach her?

MichelleScarn · 18/05/2022 15:59

Seedoftime · 18/05/2022 15:26

and in an ideal world I'll try to find things she would LOVE but that we wouldn't normally do as DS would moan

Are you serious?! Are you saying your DD can't ever do something she would LOVE to do as a family because the boy of the family might moan? What exactly are you trying to teach her?

And also need to watch what you do with her so ds doesn't 'miss out' ?
Was this much consideration given to ds going to cricket, or is it what he wants to do is fine?