Top 20 Fun Parent Child Date Ideas

Pick them up from school and head straight to their favourite ice cream spot—no reason, just because. Happy Pops, Messina, or a local parlour. Guaranteed smiles, zero planning required.

Does your kid love a good find? Hit up vintage stores or op shops together and see what treasures you uncover. Brisbane's Camp Hill and Paddington, Sunshine Coast's Pomona, or Pickasso on the Gold Coast are goldmines for this.

Self-care isn't just for adults. Book a parent-child pamper experience—mani-pedis, facials, the works. It's relaxing, fun, and you both leave feeling fancy. Find pamper experiences on SPARK POP.

Explore your local national park on foot or two wheels. Pack snacks, pick a trail, and let nature do the rest. Conversation flows differently when you're moving side-by-side.

Set up at home with paints or pencils and draw each other's portraits. Prepare to laugh—accuracy is not the goal here. Bonus points if you channel Anh's Brush with Fame vibes and ask interview questions while you paint.

Book a short getaway somewhere and make it a surprise. Think Sydney, Newcastle, Sunshine Coast hinterland. Or go on a mystery tour—Stradbroke Island, Australia Zoo, Gondwana Rainforest, or even a jet boat adventure for thrill-seekers. Browse day trips and getaways on SPARK POP.

We just did this with a 3hr drive to Bargarra Beach / Bundaberg. 

Challenge them to mini golf or hit up a driving range. Friendly competition (or not-so-friendly, depending on your kid's personality) plus quality chat time between holes.

Pack a picnic and discover somewhere you've never been. Add a scavenger hunt (create your own or download one) for extra interaction and adventure points.

Face a physical challenge side-by-side—rock climbing, trampolining, bouldering, or even an indoor climbing centre. Nothing builds trust and closeness like literally trusting each other with safety ropes. Find climbing and active experiences on SPARK POP.

Let them pick a recipe, shop for ingredients together, and cook a meal for just the two of you. Want to escape the kitchen cleanup? Book a cooking class instead—pizza-making, pasta workshops, or kid-friendly cooking schools make this mess-free and fun. Or why not try a food and or farm tour.
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Take them to your old school, childhood home, or sports club. Share stories from when you were their age. Kids are fascinated by "parent as kid" tales—it humanizes you in ways daily life doesn't.

Do something inspiring together—hot air ballooning at sunrise, a Ferrari or Lamborghini drive experience, helicopter ride, or anything that gets the adrenaline pumping and creates a "remember when we..." story. 

Visit a wildlife sanctuary, local farm, or animal shelter together. Hands-on animal experiences create connection and conversation—plus, animals are excellent icebreakers for deeper chats. 

Get competitive! Laserzone, arcade centres, or any entertainment venue where you can play games together. Bonus: you'll discover whether your kid is ruthless in laser tag (prepare yourself)..

After its massive success in New York, Balloon Story has landed in Australia—and it's unlike anything you've seen before. We're talking 400,000+ balloons transformed into larger-than-life sculptures and interactive environments you actually walk through. This isn't a kids' party with some balloon animals; it's intricate balloon art installations that genuinely redefine what's possible. Kids get lost in the playful, colourful immersion while parents appreciate the artistic craftsmanship (and endless photo opportunities). 

Head to the beach, rainforest, creek, or hinterland. Let them (and you) play in nature—skip rocks, climb trees, explore trails. Add a kayak or SUP session if they're up for it.

See a play, musical, live performance, or just hit the cinema for a film they've been dying to see. Shared entertainment creates shared references—you'll be quoting it together for weeks. Browse shows and performances on SPARK POP.

Test your teamwork and problem-solving with an escape room adventure, or try a virtual reality experience together. Perfect for tweens and teens who think they're smarter than you (let them win this one). Find escape rooms on SPARK POP.s.

Try pottery, painting, sculpture, or any hands-on creative class together. No artistic talent required—the messier, the better. You'll both surprise yourselves with what you create (and laugh at what you don't). Browse creative workshops on SPARK POP..

Football, basketball, cricket, surfing competition, rugby—whatever sport they're into (or you are), grab tickets and go. The energy of live sport creates memories, and the post-game debrief is half the fun.

Sharing one-on-one time with your kids creates long-lasting positive effects on your relationship. It's not about grand gestures or expensive outings (though those are fun too)—it's about showing up, being present, and creating space for connection. Those good vibes, inside jokes, and moments of genuine understanding? They stay with them forever.

So pick a date idea, block out the time, and make it happen. Your kid might groan initially, but give it time. Eventually, they'll be the ones asking, "When's our next date?"