Help with ideas for 1:1 time with DS10

[Tiddlesmum]

My DS said last night he misses time with me like we used to do (before DD1 was born). So I’m planning one night a week just me and him, and DH will do the same. We live pretty rural so apart from dark walks/go for dinner/cinema there isn’t much about here. I am stuck for fun ideas that aren’t watch a film/play a board game. We’d both like to try new things but my brain is frazzled from daily life that I just can’t think of anything! Any suggestions greatly received please! Thank you.

How lovely!
Can you learn a new hobby together? Photography, art, craft, cooking, music etc.?

Yes to new hobby!

what are his interests?

in lockdown we picked a country a week and cooked a meal/snack from there and read up on it

Pokémon Go?

My 11 ds still likes baking with me.
Playing cards
Table tennis on dining table

Find some tutorials on YouTube to do together. We did cartoon drawing in lockdown. Paint by numbers, whittling, soap carving?

Following. 11yo DD feels the same. It's a tough age gap isn't it x

I’d love to try a new hobby! Like what? I’m happy to buy kits etc but can’t think of anything that spans both our ages?
He already does Pokémon, but he likes Lego, YouTube rubbish, anything Star Wars or Marvel and all things Fortnite. Love the country idea!

Geocaching

Go swimming together?
what about a sport? Badminton is quite family friendly (as in, something you can both do at the same level)
you could also create a list of fun projects to do together and either take it in turns to choose or pick one at random - craft, cooking, researching, exploring.
sone specific ideas: walking alpacas, finding the oldest building in your town (maybe village), a charity or volunteer project together, go shopping for an elderly neighbour, go litter picking, make handmade Xmas cards, make a scrapbook or a slideshow, plan and host a dinner party, do some diy together, try out different sports or activities by watching youtube.

Obviously some of the above are not suitable for winter evenings in a village but just to get some ideas on the table …

Brilliant ideas! Thank you! I’m making a list.

Weekley tournaments that roll on each week with points such as

Swingball
Chess
Naughts and crosses
Best rock painting pictures/faces

Random things to do like
Make a random craft a week - loads on Pinterest
Pokémon go
Talent show
Poem show
Take up an instrument TOGETHER
Cooking
Upcycling something like a table
Tagging or spray painting obviously your own property not random houses
Collect football cards or whatever cards kids like these days
Candle or soap making
Book club discussion
Draw a picture of the highlight of the week
Chinese whispers
Hide and seek in the dark
Face painting
Hena or stick on tattoos
Manic food shop where he chooses what to have for dinner and sweets and desert
Go out for dinner just you two. Or takeaway night once the younger one is asleep
Late night drive to McDonald's