The bond between a father and his daughter is unlike any other, and finding fun “things for dad and daughter to do” is the perfect way to strengthen that connection. From creative crafts to outdoor adventures, there are countless activities you can enjoy together. Some may be ideal for the little girls, while others are perfect for older daughters. Below, I’ve listed 15 fun and memorable activities that will help you create lasting memories with your daughter.
15 Fun Activities for Dads and Daughters
Here’s a list of 15 fun and meaningful things for dad and daughter to do.
- Build a scrapbook together
- Take a nature walk and have a picnic
- Have a father-daughter dance party
- Create handmade jewelry
- bake cookies or cupcakes
- Watch a classic movie marathon
- Go on a daddy-daughter date
- Create a time capsule
- Build a birdhouse or diy project
- Volunteer together
- Have a spa day at home
- Go ice skating or roller skating
- Go stargazing
- Plan a surprise for mom together
- Take a pottery/art class
I’ll share some in-depth thoughts and ideas on some of these things you can do with your daughter.
1. Build a Scrapbook Together.
This is the perfect activity for creative dads and daughters. Collect photos, ticket stubs, and other memories to create a scrapbook that chronicles your favorite moments. You can even add handwritten notes for a more personal touch. Doing this will cost you a few bucks, but it’ll be totally worth it.
Age Limit: Great for all ages, but especially for younger daughters. Location: At home.
2. Take a Nature Walk and Have a Picnic.
Whether it’s a hike in the mountains or a walk in the local park, a nature walk is a wonderful way to explore the outdoors. After the walk, have a picnic with her favorite snacks. Be sure to come along with your cameras or smartphones, as the case may be. You should be ready to take many pictures – and keep work calls away, seriously.
Age Limit: Perfect for daughters of all ages. Location: Outdoors, local parks, or nature trails.
3. Have a Father-Daughter Dance Party
Clear the living room and blast some of her favorite tunes. You both can have a dance-off or just sway together. It’s especially fun for younger daughters, but older kids might enjoy picking the playlist too.
Age Limit: Ideal for younger children but adaptable for older daughters. Location: At home.
4. Create Handmade Jewelry
For daughters who love to craft, making handmade jewelry can be super fun and bonding. Spend time learning how to create friendship bracelets, necklaces, or even earrings. Again, this will cost you a few bucks for the materials you’ll need to make the items.
Age Limit: Best for older kids or teens, but younger daughters can enjoy making simple bracelets. Location: At home or a craft studio.
5. Bake Cookies or Cupcakes
Spend time in the kitchen baking her favorite treat. From mixing the ingredients to decorating the cookies, this sweet activity is bound to create delicious memories. If you already have the ingredients at home, you won’t need to spend more. Mom should also supervise your baking, so you both don’t finish the items or bake half-done cookies and cupcakes! Relax, I’m not saying you, my guy, can’t bake!
Age Limit: Suitable for daughters of all ages, though younger ones may need more help. Location: At home.
6. Watch a Classic Movie Marathon
Pop some popcorn and have a movie marathon with films you loved growing up. Share your favorite childhood flicks with her and explain why they were important to you, but don’t bore her with too many stories. You can start with movies your daughter likes, and then you progress to your favorites or to the ones you know will impact her positively. My daughter loved “Like Stars On Earth” and always recommends it to anyone looking for family time movies.
Age Limit: Ideal for older daughters who can sit through the movies, especially when you start with the ones that will interest them. Location: At home.
7. Go on a Daddy-Daughter Date
Take your daughter out for a special daddy-daughter date. This could be anything from a fancy dinner at her favorite restaurant to a fun trip to an ice cream parlor. Get her all that she’ll need for the date – from dress to apparel and flowers.
Age Limit: Great for daughters of all ages. Location: Outdoors, restaurants, or cafes.
8. Create a Time Capsule
Spend a day together choosing items to represent your current life – photos, trinkets, notes – and place them in a time capsule. Bury it somewhere special and agree to dig it up in the future.
Age Limit: Best for older daughters who can appreciate the sentiment. Location: Outdoors or at home.
9. Build a Birdhouse or DIY Project
If you’re into woodwork or DIY projects, spending a weekend building a birdhouse or another small project is a great bonding activity. I’ve seen some fathers whose daughters joined their dads in their craft – mechanics, woodworkers, etc., and it all started with their weekend builds.
Age Limit: Ideal for older kids who can handle tools. Location: At home or a DIY workshop.
10. Volunteer Together.
Volunteering is a meaningful activity that helps instill empathy and gratitude in your daughter. Take some time and find a local cause that resonates with both of you. Causes and centers like a community garden, animal shelter, or soup kitchen are great places to start.
Age Limit: Suitable for daughters of all ages, though some volunteer locations may have age restrictions. Location: Your locality.
11. Have a Spa Day at Home
Treat her to a pampering spa day at home. You can do face masks, paint your nails, make her hair (if you can), teach her simple spa tricks to make her glow, etc.
Age Limit: Best for younger daughters, though older ones can enjoy a more refined experience. Location: At home.
12. Go Ice Skating or Roller Skating
Whether it’s winter or summer, a trip to the skating rink is a blast! Ice skating is particularly fun for younger daughters, and you can hold her hand as she glides around. Be sure to have a little bit of skating experience so you can guide her properly. And get the right protective gear for your baby girl.
Age Limit: Perfect for older children or teens who enjoy active fun. Location: Ice rinks or roller skating rinks.
13. Go stargazing
Take a late-night trip to an open field or rooftop, spread out a blanket, and spend the evening stargazing. Before you begin stargazing, scan the entire area to be sure it’s safe for you both. Oftentimes, stargazing in the front lawn or backyard of your house will work just fine. In moments like that, you can tell her stories about your own childhood.
Age Limit: Ideal for older daughters who can appreciate the beauty of the night sky and engage in deep conversations. Location: Outdoors or in a quiet, open area.
14. Plan a Surprise for Mom Together
Get your daughter involved in planning a surprise for her mom. It could be a breakfast in bed, a handmade gift, or a surprise date night. Just make sure your daughter doesn’t let the cat out of the bag before it’s due!
Age Limit: Suitable for all ages. Location: At home.
15. Take an art Class
If you’re both feeling artistic, taking a pottery class can be a unique and memorable experience. You can also try painting – be sure to paint funny images of each other. I went to an art exhibition some years back, and a dad and daughter were there. The dad painted a hilarious picture of his teenage daughter (slim body with a big head). She did something similar (painted herself holding hands with daddy, but who she drew and painted didn’t in any way resemble her dad).
Age Limit: Best for older daughters or teens who can handle pottery wheels. Location: Pottery studio or local art center.
Wrapping Up
The relationship between a father and his daughter is priceless, and finding the right activities to nurture that bond is key. You can try crafting jewelry, enjoying the great outdoors, or simply sharing a special day. The activities I’ve listed above are designed not only to provide fun but also to strengthen the emotional connection between you and your daughter.
