After years of online shopping for my daughter, she’d finally agreed to go to the mall with me. We ended up eating Chinese food between store visits and had way more fun than either of us expected. I knew we only had a few more years before graduation, and I wanted to make tons of memories with her.
Shopping may be one of those easy picks when you’re trying to come up with fun things to do with your teenage daughter. But what else? Don’t underestimate the time spent together. Research says teens who stay close to their moms during the teen years grow up to be healthier, happier, and more optimistic. Even a low-key outing together counts. If you have an afternoon free, here are 25 more ideas for spending one-on-one time with your girl.
1. Find an arcade in the area and introduce her to Ms. Pac-Man and pinball.
2. Visit a flower farm and bring home a bouquet.
3. Go to a local farmers market and challenge her to pick ingredients for a meal you’ll cook together when you get home.
4. Take a dance class together. Try ballroom, line dancing, or even Zumba.
5. Drive to that coffee shop one town over that she found on Instagram or TikTok.
6. Hit up the library or a bookstore and browse the shelves together.
7. Book a photo session at a local store and get some photos taken with and without you.
8. Visit an animal shelter or rescue farm just to spend time with the animals.
9. Sit in neighboring hair stylists’ chairs and chat while you both get cuts.
10. Visit a garden center and pick out starter veggies to put in your yard.
11. Take a local college tour together.
12. Give her the keys and let her practice driving.
13. Let loose with her at a laser tag center.
14. Reserve horses for a trail ride at a nearby ranch.
15. See a movie in the theater that she wants to see.
16. Sample a fancy ice cream parlor or bakery.
17. Visit the art or science museum and have lunch at the museum’s café.
18. Bake scones or cookies or something you haven’t made before.
19. Find a tea shop and spend time sipping together.
20. Pamper yourselves at a nail salon.
21. Be tourists in your home city. See the historical sites and learn about them.
22. Try a new adventurous sport together like paddleboarding, lake swimming, or kayaking.
23. Get your craft on! Make candles, soaps, or knotted fleece blankets. Donate or gift them.
24. Do her favorite hobby with her. Painting? Crochet? Reading? Biking? Taking photos?
25. Hit up local thrift or antique shops.
For more ideas, check out our Mother-Daughter Bucket List!
What are some more fun things to do with your teenage daughter?
