We all want a way to bond with our children. We want those memories and the relationship to grow as you grow up together. It can be easier to bond with a child the same gender as you, but could stump you a little if you have the opposite. For dads with daughters who want to create a lasting bond, we have the best father-daughter trips for every type of family dynamic that allows you to create core memories along the way.
For the athletic pair
Hike any national or state park in your area
There are so many beautiful parks in this country, and you might be closer to one than you think. Getting out in nature makes everyone feel better, and going on a trip to see a new park for the first time together is an amazing way to bond and have that shared experience.
Do an adventure day
You can find excursions where you can learn a new skill or play a sport. Check with a YMCA for day adventures or camps, check with your local community center, or ask your child’s school if they know of any camps or activity lessons.
Go to an amusement park, theme park, or sport park
Running around an amusement park and going on all of the rides will wear you both out while creating memories. From screaming together on the roller coaster to taking pictures with your favorite characters, taking a trip to an amusement park gives you two a chance to spend time together while both acting like a kid.
If you aren’t into roller coasters but still want to stay active, there are trampoline parks, zip line parks, and rope parks you could try. It’s all about giving each other the strength to try something new and active and helping each other get through the activity together to become closer as a parent and child.
For the animal lovers
Go to the zoo or aquarium
You can always go to the zoo and learn about all types of animals for the best father-daughter trip. Take your time, read as much of the provided information around the zoo as possible, and turn it into a trip to learn about the animals and which ones speak to each of you. If you like water-based animals, zip over to the aquarium and take your time there.
Visit a sanctuary or rescue
There are so many animal sanctuaries and rescues across the country. If you live in the New England area, there are an impressive number of alpaca, llama, and horse rescues and sanctuaries. Look up where any animal sanctuary is within your desired driving radius, and go learn about the rescue and what they do after you “cuddle” the animals.
For the off-the-beaten-path family
Find the unusual attraction nearby
For the father and daughter who like the unusual, find that thing in your area that gets talked about, but you haven’t visited yet. Maybe you live by the Flintstones Bedrock City in Arizona or the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Kansas or the Paper House in Massachusetts. Find the nearest unusual landmark in the U.S. and make a memorable trip out of it.
Go to a Ren Faire or historic reenactment
Even if you aren’t the type of father and daughter to dress up for fairs, going to a Renaissance Fair or visiting a historical reenactment site would make for an interesting trip. It’s a little learning and a lot of fun and a trip to get to know how each other would handle living in olden times.
For the learning and giving back pair
Take cooking classes
There are so many cooking classes offered, from themed for the holidays or the season to basic beginner classes. Make a trip out of learning how to create a meal together, then bring your experience home and cook the meal for the whole family.
Take a trip to a museum
If you both have a love of learning, a trip to a museum would be a great way to bond over shared interests. Between art museums, science museums, and other types of museums, from glass to whaling to music, you can find something you both like to learn about.
Go to a play
Everyone is a theater kid for the right play. Find which local high school, community center, or community theater is putting on what play and take a trip to go see it together. Supporting the arts is always a good idea, and you can get something to eat or grab ice cream after and discuss what you thought of the performance.
Find a cause to volunteer for
From your local animal shelter and your child’s school to the local church, places always need volunteers. Volunteer when those places need people to go further away from home to make it a bigger experience for you both.
No matter what age the child is, sit down and ask what types of things they would like to do. Otherwise, no matter how much you want to turn the trip into a bonding experience, if you aren’t both invested in the idea, it may not turn out how you want it to.
Know how far you are willing to drive or travel and plan out how long you can be gone for the trip. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, be gone for weeks, or even leave your city if you don’t want to or can’t. A creative and meaningful trip can mean packing up to go to the park down the street or driving a state over to visit a new museum. See how many of the best father-daughter trip ideas you can check off in a year and see how your relationship grows with each one.
