After a year of being parents, my husband and I have learned to be creative with getting our time in together. While we have our own date nights, we also make sure we make conscious efforts to spend time together as a family - the two of us plus our little guy. It’s so fun to experience each other and the little person we made together. Little David is one now and as you can imagine is very active yet inquisitive. We want to make sure we’re always challenging him and providing him with stimulation that’s good for his development. With that, we’ve been able to stick to three go to places for our family dates. They’re fun, inexpensive, allow us to encourage his development, and still help us get in quality time together as a couple and a family. The best part is, no matter where you may be, you’ll be able to find places like these too and indulge in great, quality family time. Remember, it’s all about making memories!

1. Hit Up Your Neighborhood Pizzeria

Who doesn’t like pizza? I don’t know about you, but my family loves pizza, and we probably could eat it every night. The great thing about all of our neighborhood pizzerias is that they’re nearby and a couple are even in walking distance. Not only can pizza be a nutritious option for your child if you select the right toppings, pizza itself is also an easy food option to encourage independence when self feeding. Small children can handle pizza pretty easily, so having them eat independently encourages them and furthers their development. Also, pizzerias usually have relaxed, fun, and family friendly environments that may be stimulating for the entire family. My husband and I always have a really good time and are able to get a quick date night dinner in together - with little David screaming how much he is enjoying his food right next to us.

2. Visit a Local Park

So, spring is here and spending some good ole time in the outdoors is now a must before the sweltering summer arrives. We love to take walks. My husband and I bring along the stroller, or even my son’s powered car. A few toys, snacks, and a collection of his favorite nursery rhymes and Little David will be entertained long enough for us to have a nice intimate chat together and get some good exercise. One of the best things is, we allow Little David to walk around independently a bit since he’s so active. Since he recently started walking right before he turned one, more walking and attempts to run help to further coordinate his motor skills. Not to mention, the more he moves, the more tired he will be at the end of the day. That makes for a great night full of sleep for him (and especially me!).

3. Go to Your City’s Popular Attractions

This is one of my favorites because before David and I had Little David, and even before we were married, we experienced so many things the city (Atlanta) offered. From food festivals, to concerts, to cultural events, and even some of the popular tourist attractions. Bringing our little into the mix and introducing him to these things since he’s now more aware is our joy! Of course you want to be sure whatever attraction you choose is age appropriate, so keep in mind your child’s current developmental stage. For us, we know David is starting to understand what animals are, the sounds they make, and how they look. Exposing him to places like the aquarium and the zoo now will help him to identify different animals. Also as a helpful tip, if your child hasn’t yet developed language, like David, pointing to things (such as animals, objects, or colors) and telling them what it is will help facilitate recognition. This is good for development, but the mere experience is one that they will enjoy, and that you will enjoy watching them enjoy.

I hope you’ve found just a few ways you can spend time with your partner, yet also include your little. Remember, having family dates doesn’t mean you don’t need time alone, exclusive time with your partner, and exclusive time with your child(ren). However, family dates are a great way to spend time with the family, savor precious moments, and make memories.