'Remember What Makes Her Happy': 7 Budget-Friendly Mom-Daughter Date Ideas She Will Love

It has been a habit for some parents in the Smart Parenting Village to ask for recommendations from their fellow parents before visiting a place or doing an activity with their kids. Aside from checking if "Okay ba?" We all want, "Sulit ba?" After all, we want to get the best experience for our families with our hard-earned money, right?

Mommy Kristina shared that she wants to take her 7-year-old daughter Jilleane on a date. 

She said, "I haven’t spent much time with my eldest kasi lately dahil busy. Madalas hindi ko na siya naaasikaso kaya gusto ko bumawi."

Parents at the Smart Parenting Village responded, and gave her recommendations on what they can do. 

Here are 7 ideas that we picked up that you might want to try with your child this weekend.

7 fun yet affordable mom-daughter date ideas 

1. Have a nail spa date

Pampering with your daughter aka your forever best friend is always a good idea. A trip to the spa to have your nails done or even a massage wouldn't cost you a lot, but will surely make you both feel good after.

Location: any nail salon near you

Budget needed: Php 300-500

2. Watch a movie

Now that cinemas are opening up again, your daughter might want to experience watching a movie with you - with popcorn, drinks, and all. Mommy June shared that she and her son bonded over the new movie Wakanda Forever, and they enjoyed a lot. Don't forget that since this is a date with your daughter, she has the upper hand on what movie you will watch.

Location: any cinema near you

Budget needed: Php 500-700

3. Bake a cake together

Whether you love baking at home or you have zero baking experience, a baking date sounds fun. Smart Parenting parenting editor Ronna Bonifacio took her 9-year-old daughter and two sons to this "modern baking wonderland" in Taguig City, and they enjoyed it a whole lot. Watch this video for their full SPrience. Plus, the place is very Instagrammable.

Location: SM Aura Premier, Taguig City

Budget needed: As low as Php 999 per person

4. Go to a museum or an indoor play place

If you haven't brought your daughter to a museum for a long time, it's a good starting place to bond. It would be a nice break from online classes, plus, you can take a lot of photos together. 

Other options are the Museo Pambata, National Museum in Manila, or the newly opened Manila Zoo.

Anne Curtis and her daughter Dahlia recently went on a date in the Mind Museum, and we bet it's now one of their core memories.

If your daughter is into indoor play place like Kidzoona, Mommy Kimberly suggests, let your child pick a cheap toy afterwards.

Location: Pasay / Manila

Budget needed: Museo Pambata: Php 450; Manila Zoo: Php 150 for Manila residents, Php 250 for non-residents; Mind Museum: Php 550 per head if you buy your tickets on Klook

5. Window shopping

Because why not? Since online shopping apps have been our go-to for purchases due to the pandemic, window shopping is feasible again. Head on to your favorite mall or a new one that just opened, and do your thing - try out different clothes or shoes, check out stuff that she likes. 

Location: any mall near you

Budget needed: Php 0

6. Stay home and cuddle

If like Mommy Kristina, you want to spend time with your daughter to make bawi for the time you spent doing other things, moms say maybe you don't have to go outside for a date. This is not to make tipid, but to make the most of what you already have. Cook or order her favorite food, cuddle, or just binge-watch a movie together. After all, you being present is what matters.

Location: Home

Budget needed: Php 0

7. Make it extra

Mommy Rayche suggests to take your usual gala a notch higher, "Gawin niyo po yung 'Choose Your Day' challenge. Basically, you'll have two options for every activity that you will do. For example, where to eat (Jollibee or McDo), or what to buy (clothes or books).

Location: any mall near you

Budget needed: Php 300-500

If all else fails, Mommy Ayeen said, "Ask your daughter what she wants to do, where she wants to go, what she wants to eat, and do that."

"Since 7 na siya, do you remember what makes her happy [when you are] outside?" Mommy Kimberly chimed in.

UPDATE: Mommy Kristina told Smart Parenting that she will take her daughter on a nail spa date and eat out this weekend, and hopes to do it once a month. Thanks for the leads, Smart Parenting Village!

Here's why Doug Kramer encourages parents to take their kids on a one-on-one date, here.