In this post, I’ll share easy low-prep or no-prep ideas for one on one time with kids. You’ll love this inspiration for connecting with each of your children through mommy and me time. Even with very little children and babies, individual time with mom is so important! Let’s make it happen, mama.
I really wish you could meet my mama. She’s the most generous, fun-loving woman in the world. She’s an amazing mom.
But she’s an even better grandma.
Between myself and my sisters, she’s got eight grand kids. Eight grand kids in three different cities on two different continents.
She’s got her hands and heart full.
Read: 3 House Rules I Learned From My Mom (and why they work!)
But there’s one thing she’s always been an expert at… Even as our family has grown, she’s always somehow made time for each grandchild to feel special. Its weekend beach trips with my niece, or week-day dates at the library with my son. Gracious, she even flies across the Atlantic to make it to birthday parties.
If I could steal one of my mom’s superpowers, it would be her uncanny ability to find those moments of one on one time with her kids and grand kids. She celebrates their individuality, never makes comparisons, and gently molds and shapes their characters.
Every moment matters! Steal my favorite five second tips for being a better mom in the small moments.
So, while I can’t ship my mama off to your house this week, I can share a few ideas to help you inspire one on one time with kids on your own. You can steal one of these ideas right now to start building your relationship with your child! Which will you choose first?
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40+ One on One Time with Kids Ideas
One on One Ideas Around the House:
- Play a game of “would you rather”
- Play Uno (or Giant Uno!) together
- Read books in a unique spot
- Build with magnet blocks
- Bake cookies
- Draw each other pictures with dry erase on the mirror
- Do a science experiment
- Try out crazy hairstyles on each other
- Make frozen yogurt bark and let your child choose the mix-ins
- Do origami
- Solve a jigsaw puzzle
- Build with Legos
- Have a staring contest
- Have a special movie night
- Make up a song together
- Do a 3D puzzle
- Try these 12 activities you can do from your couch!
One on One Ideas Outside:
- Take a walk down the block
- Play on the swing set
- Have a picnic in your backyard
- Lay on a blanket and tell a story
- Swing in the hammock
- Have a squirt gun fight
- Make a sandcastle in the sandbox
- Plant a tree
- Climb a tree together
- Plant seeds in a flower pot
- Go on a nature walk and collect interesting objects
- Play in the sprinkler
- Build a fort
- Go stargazing with binoculars
One on One Ideas Around town:
- Find great books at a thrift store
- Visit a children’s museum
- Go out for a big pancake breakfast
- Attend a high school sports game
- Go to the zoo
- Search for “funny faced” fruit and veggies at a local farmers market
- Visit a pet store and feed all the animals
- Pick blueberries or fruit at a local farm
- Make something at free projects days at the hardware store
- Deliver brownies to a friend
- Drive go-carts
- Attend a class at a local park or community center
- Ride bikes together or rent a two-person bicycle
- Create art at a mommy and me art class
- Watch a local school play
- Hunt around town for fresh, hot donuts
- Explore a new park
- Play a game of mini-golf
Why not try one of these one on one time with kids ideas tonight? Start building that relationship, adding value to your child, and parenting with purpose!
Is your time limited? Send the rest of the family off to grandmas, or get hubby to watch the baby for the afternoon or evening. You could even let one child stay up an extra 30 minutes after bedtime. It really doesn’t have to be complicated. Make a priority for mini-dates just once or twice a month with each child.
Here’s the secret: Having one on one time with your children isn’t just about them. It’s good for you too! As you spend time connecting with each child individually, you’ll feel your understanding grow. Trust me, the more you understand your child, the more patience you’ll have when things get tough.
Which of these ideas will you try with your child? Let me know, I can’t wait to connect with you in the comments!