While fathers may have spent one-on-one time with their daughters for generations, the idea of a cute father-daughter date has taken off in popularity in the past few years.
I, for one, think that taking a break from the daily grind and celebrating the unconditional love between a father and his daughter is precious! And not just because I’m a mama to a little girl and this adorable date doubles as me time that I can use to unwind with a good book or to zone out in front of the TV.
No matter what type of little girl you have at home, there’s a style and theme for a father-daughter date that will fit her to a tee.
Father-Daughter Date Ideas
For the princess
My daughter is currently in her princess phase and it is almost impossible to see her without a tiara, tutu, or her almost-in-shreds Princess Anna costume. If this sounds like your daughter too, here are some fun father-daughter date ideas fit for a princess.
- A princess would not be complete without her prince. Make a dinner reservation at her favorite restaurant, get all dressed up, and have a dinner date complete with flowers, candy, and sparkling juice.
- On a budget? Have a “house date.” Dress up yourselves and the dining room table with fancy dishes. Mom can join in on the fun by serving dinner! Make a cake or cupcakes with a princess theme and spend the night twirling and dancing to Disney princess tunes.
For the sporty girl
Has your daughter outgrown her inner princess and traded her wand for a soccer ball? You can still have a blast together with a sports theme!
- Take your sporty girl on a date to a local hockey or basketball game. Combine it with a trip to a sports-themed restaurant like Medieval Times or Dave & Buster’s, where you can shoot some hoops and have dinner under one roof.
- Budget option: Stay in and watch a game on television. Pop some popcorn, wear your favorite team’s jersey, and have a ball yelling at the TV. You can still head outdoors to the local park where you can throw the ball around and have a light picnic after.
Drama Queen date night
Does your little girl love the theater? Creating a daddy-daughter date with a drama-inspired theme is a snap.
- Purchase tickets for a movie, play, or show. Want to splurge on dinner? Check for age-appropriate dinner theater tickets and enjoy the best of both worlds!
- Budget idea: You can pick a blockbuster favorite from Netflix, etc., or download apps like Digital Theatre to stream some of the world’s finest theatre productions in your home. You can order your favorite takeout and settle in for the night. Bonus points for Dad if you pick a musical and he sings along with the movie!
The great outdoors
Does your baby girl love exploring the great outdoors? If you’re lucky to live in a warmer climate or stuck inside thanks to cold weather, a date with an outdoor theme is budget-friendly and fun.
- Plan a hike at the local park. Bring a picnic basket filled with her favorites and enjoy the majestic scenery. Bonus points for bringing a pair of binoculars to look at the local wildlife. If snow is in the forecast, head up to your favorite mountain for a little father-daughter skiing, while you leave the rest of the family at home.
- Indoor option: Create a carpet picnic and watch outdoor-themed shows on the television. Don’t discount blanket tents and forts for added ambiance — they create instant magic!
Great post! So many great ideas for daddy-daughter time. I like how you grouped them by interest.
My daughter is an adult now, but she’s never too old for a daddy-daughter date night. Nowadays when she’s home from college, we go out to a nice dinner. Sometimes it’s to an old favorite place, or sometimes we try something new.
And remember, you don’t need to wait for Valentine’s Day for a daddy-daughter date. Any day is a great day for a dad to spend time with his little girl.
Steve