As a parent or guardian, you may or will know that almost nothing makes you feel happier than supporting the happiness of your own child.
Each smile or hug from your child gives you the reassurance that you’ve done right by them, and as your child grows and comes into their own, that will mean everything.
Parents of daughters especially will know that keeping your young or teenage daughter entertained can get tricky. Making friends at that age can be hard, and you want to do everything you can to make sure your daughter can make the emotional and social connections she needs to flourish.
If you need some help in planning activities for your daughter and her friends, know that you’re not alone, and that it can really be a fun and creative way for you to feel connected to your child. Whether they appreciate your support at the time or feel warmth later on retrospectively, the most important thing is being there and being the loving parent they need.
There are several fun activities you can plan or set up for your daughter that won’t just feel like ‘mommy-approved’ fun but will actually result in an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Depending on what your daughter and her friends generally like to do, here are a few ideas to get you started.
Make Friendship Bracelets
This is a crafty activity that not only is fun to do—but your daughter and her friends will get something out of it as well. Sure, the experience of making something yourself can be rewarding on its own, but it’s even better when you’ve got a cute accessory to show off and cherish afterwards.
There are a number of routes you can go when making friendship bracelets. No matter what, you’ll have to gather up some supplies. The differences is in what materials you choose. You can make best friend bracelets with metal materials and clasps, or you can go summer-camp style with string bracelets.
Materials for both can easily be bought at your local craft store, and there’s often a huge selection of colors, charms, and other little accessories you can choose from to make the activity as personalized and relevant to your daughter’s personal style.
Cook or Bake Something Delicious
Not only is this a great way to be able to teach your child some basic cooking skills without earning an eye-roll, but it can also be super fun with friends.
Since everyone has different taste-buds, you might want to ask your daughter first about what she and her friends like and if there are any allergy issues to consider beforehand. Inviting your daughter’s pals over to cook will not only be an educational experience, but a bonding one—with something delicious to chow down on at the end, too!
You can gather all the ingredients beforehand, or even wait until everyone arrives, so you can all take a trip to the store together. For some recipe ideas, the internet is certainly your best friend, with several websites dedicated to helping you plan cooking time with your kids. Or better yet, personalize the experience even more by choosing a favorite dish in your household to replicate.
Tip: while meals are fun to cook, you can never go wrong with cooking or baking a creative dessert!
Make Your Own Facial Scrubs
For a relaxing activity with time for movies or other games in-between, propose the idea of making some DIY facial scrubs. Made with natural and fruity ingredients for skin health and a pleasant scent, this is an easy way to pamper everyone without actually venturing out to a spa.
Organize a Themed Movie Night
Choose or coordinate a fun theme with your daughter and her guests and set up a comfortable, fun movie night. Depending on your daughter’s interests, here are some theme ideas:
- Princess or Female Hero Movie Night
- Harry Potter Movie Night
- [Favorite Actor/Celebrity] Movie Night
- Mermaid Movie Night
Lay out some blankets and pillows, and make sure to stock up on popcorn! You can also go more extravagant by setting up some lights, getting a retro popcorn machine, or setting up a snack station, too. Whatever your daughter will love.
