If you’re a mom of boys, having some one-on-one time with your son(s) can be a special moment. However, coming up with fun ideas for a fun mom-and-son date may not come as easily as it does for daughters. There’s the classic father-daughter dance that girls grow up telling nostalgic stories about (yes, we need more of these for boy moms!), the classic mani and pedi dates, a full day of shopping, and more. So, what activities are out there for moms and sons to bond over?
Before I had kids, I convinced myself that I was destined to be a girl mom. I fantasized about enjoying high tea and playing with American Girl dolls together. Although if I had boys, I knew I’d welcome any of these activities if they wanted to participate in them. But two sons later, and I’ll admit that being a ‘boy mom’ is absolutely fun. I know more names of dinosaurs than I ever thought I would—I think an Elasmosaurus is cute. And taking trips to the resale LEGO store in the next town over is a monthly ritual.
And in actuality, I’ve found that there are so many activities that you can do for mom and son dates. They don’t always have to be extravagant. Low-key activities like having a game night is just as enjoyable as having a nice dinner out. If you’re on the search for some ideas, I’m sharing 25 activities to do with your sweet kiddo for your next mom and son adventure!
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Outdoor Mom and Son Activities
1. Go on a Hike
Enjoy the fresh air and take a hike through a nearby trail. There’s something about getting away from the hustle and bustle and soaking up nature. Plus, it’s the perfect time to catch up with what’s going on in his life while adventuring in the great outdoors.
2. Paddle a Canoe or Kayak
Paddling a boat, canoe, or kayak is a team effort. Getting out on the water can be both relaxing and a workout. And if he loves to fish, don’t forget his fishing rod and fishing tackle.
3. Go Berry Picking
Whether it’s strawberry season or apple picking season, visiting a farm for some fresh fruit is a fun (and sweet!) activity. Once you get home, look up the best berry recipes to make with your batch of fruit.
4. Stargaze in Your Own Backyard
Set out a telescope in your own backyard and learn about the constellations and the planets. It’s a perfect mom and son activity for an aspiring astronaut or astrophysicist.
Entertaining Mom and Son Activities
5. Plan a Movie Night
Having a unique movie night is a great way for moms to bond with their boys. Add some special elements to make movies magical to encourage conversations and connections. Make fresh popcorn to emulate the theater vibe, pick a theme like dinosaurs or cars, and queue up several movies that fall under the category, or have a pajama party by throwing on your coziest PJs and cuddling on the couch. In our house, we have “movie Saturdays,” where we allow the boys to eat dinner and watch a movie on the living room floor, picnic-style. It excites them to do anything outside of the norm.
6. Go to a Sporting Event
Going to a sporting event is a fun activity with kids. Seeing a game in person gives the opportunity to discuss the game play-by-play, and it often can spur other topics of conversation. Or, make watching sports at home a special event by recreating the stadium feeling with ballpark food and eating on a picnic blanket.
7. See a Play or Musical
Experience a play or musical at a local theater, or check out if your local middle school or high school is putting on its own production. It could be fun to dress up for the night and enjoy the arts.
8. Take a Dance Class
Starting our morning with a 5-minute dance party is the best way to start our day, so I know my boys love to dance. But taking a dance class together with a professional can be a fun opportunity to add to your dance skills. Learn how to two-step or sign up for a hip hop class and be each other’s hype partner.
9. Visit an Amusement Park
If you and your son love some thrills and an adrenaline rush, head to an amusement park and ride all the best roller coasters! It’s bound to be an epic adventure. Don’t forget to break down which rides you loved the most and why.
Mom and Son Activities With Friendly Competition
10. Host a One-on-One Game Night
Now that my boys are out of the infant stage, we have explored the magical world of board games. We started off with fairly basic ones like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders. We’ve now progressed to a bit more competitive matches with Trouble, Sorry!, Monopoly Junior, and my personal favorite, UNO. We designate “game nights” where we have 1:1 matches. Sometimes, they win, and other times they lose. At first, the concept of losing was hard for them, but they’ve grown to appreciate the fun in just playing. It’s extra special for me, as I can revisit my childhood through their eyes when we play these retro games.
11. Try an Escape Room
Great for older kids, an escape room is a great way to build problem-solving skills and work together to accomplish something. You both will feel all sorts of joy and excitement each time you unlock a new piece of the puzzle and can bond over collaborating for a shared outcome.
12. Go to the Arcade
Introduce your son to the vintage games you grew up playing with. What’s a little friendly competition over Pac-Man and your go-to pinball machine?
13. Hit the Golf Course
Catch an early tee time and hit the golf course for the day. Take this time not only to improve on your swing but also to have some fun and meaningful conversations along the way.
14. Go Bowling
Put on your bowling shoes and bowl the night away at a local bowling alley. Whether you need the bowling bumpers or not, the two of you can laugh together with some friendly competition.
15. Race Go-Karts
Are you both Mario Kart fanatics? Race in real life and go go-karting. He may not be old enough to have his license yet, but he may be old enough to beat you on the go-kart track.
Mom and Son Activities Revolved Around Food
16. Go on a Lunch Date
Getting out of the house can add a spark to your day and inspire a natural bonding atmosphere with your son(s). I recently started doing lunch dates with my boys, and they were thrilled they got to spend alone time with their mom. We try different foods together, play word games at the restaurant, and discuss anything they want to talk about. I am considering choosing a location or two as “our spots” so my boys can associate our “special time” with that space. No matter where we go, my sons value spending quality moments with me while they savor the yummy food.
17. Cook or Bake Sweet Treats Together
I am raising my boys to be little chefs, and they enjoy every minute of it. Since I spend a lot of time in the kitchen on a regular basis, I wanted to intentionally incorporate them into my routine while making it productive and fun. It can get a little messy when they’re younger, but you can also manage that by giving them a designated messy-approved space to let them experiment with some ingredients, like cooked pasta or cookie dough.
18. Have a Picnic
Pack up your lunch plans and head to the nearest park for a mom and son picnic. Throw a Frisbee, toss a baseball back and forth, or read side-by-side outdoors.
19. Try New Flavors at an Ice Cream Shop
If you both have a sweet tooth, stop at the nearest ice cream shop for an ice cream date. Take some time taste testing your favorite flavors before landing on the best one. This is a favorite mom-and-son date for summer days.
20. Enjoy Fine Dining
In my household, we call this “fancy dinner.” It doesn’t have to be a high-end restaurant. Take your son out to your favorite dine-in spot and make the dinner experience special by dressing up and having an appetizer, main course, and dessert, of course!
21. Stop by a Coffee Shop
He may not be old enough for a cup of coffee yet, but a cup of hot chocolate with some marshmallows is perfect for a morning coffee date at your favorite coffee spot. While sipping on your drinks, talk about your week, do a puzzle, or read together!
Educational Mom and Son Activities
22. Go to the Zoo
Going to the zoo is one of my boys’ favorite things to do together. Hearing the lion’s roar never gets old, and they always learn something new at every visit.
23. Stroll Through a Museum
For the history buffs and the kiddos who grew up watching Night at the Museum, strolling through one could be fun for both of you.
24. Volunteer Together
What better way to instill the idea that helping others can be fun than by bonding with your little one over it? Pick a cause that’s important to both of you and sign up to help with an event. Or, do something simple at home that can benefit other people. It can be as extravagant as participating in a conservation project or as simple as going through his old toys and donating the ones he no longer uses. You two will bond and get all the warm and fuzzies that come from helping others—a win-win!
25. Attend a Mommy-and-Me Class
You don’t have to wait until your son is older to go on a special mom and son date. For the infant or early toddler stage, mommy-and-me classes are a wonderful way to grow your relationship with your son. Sing, read stories, and dance!
Patty Schepel, Associate Editor
As the Associate Editor, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, editing freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
