40 Things Every Mom and Daughter Should Do Together at Least Once
Which ones have you checked off already?
Every mother-daughter relationship is different. Maybe you survived the rollercoaster teenage years only to realize you've come out of it closer than ever. Or or maybe you're a new mom with a bored toddler on her hands. Ahead, these memory-making adventures are divided into two parts: Things to do with Mom, and activities if you're booking for your own daughter.
WITH YOUR MOM: Sign up for a French cooking class.
Whether you're making crêpes, pain au chocolate, or poulet au vin rouge, take up the challenge together to immerse yourself in a new type of cooking where you're both newbies. Don't be afraid to pronounce the dishes in your best French accent. Oh là là!
WITH YOUR MOM: Escape everything and go on a yoga retreat.
Save this one for when you realize you're both spending way too much of your precious Skype dates venting about work. Zen-ing out with your favorite person will leave you feeling refreshed, centered, and ready to take on life — plus, it will become a memory that only you two will share.
WITH YOUR MOM: Get tipsy at a mimosa brunch.
Once you're at the point where you can joke about missed curfews and silly fights, you can also afford to get a little tipsy together (drink responsibly!) and dish on the latest neighborhood gossip ... or even the cute waiter. Another round, s'il vous plait!
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WITH YOUR MOM: Go hunting bargains at a flea market.
What's way more fun than shopping at IKEA? Scoring one-of-a-kind antiques for your mantle at the flea market. Add to it the challenge of discovering who has the best haggling skills. Winner buys lunch!
WITH YOUR MOM: Devour everything at the farmers' market.
Ask for a taste of their newest gouda, the latest apple variety, or a garlic-y pickle. Today is a cheat day — no calorie-counting allowed!
WITH YOUR MOM: Sing at the top of your lungs on a road trip.
Because who better to love you despite your off-key Beyoncé-ing? Challenge each other to see who really knows all the words to "I Will Survive."
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WITH YOUR MOM: Try a paint-and-sip class.
You'll find studios all over the country that invite you to drink vino while learning how to paint. (The wine not only makes it more fun, but it'll loosen up your Picasso skills.) When you're done, you can compare your creations and see whose painting matches the instructor's the most.
WITH YOUR MOM: Book the wackiest spa treatments on the menu.
Whether it's a fish pedicure, a snail massage, a snake venom facial, or an old-fashioned mud bath, get one together, then compare notes. Who knows, maybe one of you will be into it!
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WITH YOUR MOM: Cook your grandma's spaghetti bolognese.
There's nothing like learning how to make a family-honored recipe together. It'll bring mom back to the kitchen when she was a kid and you can smile knowing you can pass on the beloved tradition to your kids someday.
WITH YOUR MOM: Spend a day museum hopping.
She likes art, you like natural history. Plan out in advance your must-see exhibits so you don't miss a thing. (Oh, and don't forget to pick up a few things from the gift shop — they have some fabulous things.)
WITH YOUR MOM: Spend a Saturday sipping wine.
If there's one thing that goes well together it's wine … and wine. Put on your snootiest face as you pretend to properly sniff and swirl, and dive head first into numerous cheese plates. You can set-up shop at home or go to an actual vineyard!
WITH YOUR MOM: Take a girls' trip to a big city.
Whether its Des Moines or Denver, head into the city for a day. You can plan your itinerary of sights to see, things to do, and restaurants to visit, or go ahead and let the day unfold spontaneously. You're guaranteed to have fun either way.
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WITH YOUR MOM: Team up on karaoke night.
Even if you're shy and afraid to tap into your inner Britney Spears, she's in there somewhere. Pick a song that you two love, give it a whirl a couple times through at home, then take it to karaoke night. Remember: The audience loves Oops! ... I Did It Again just as much as you do.
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WITH YOUR MOM: Dress up in fancy clothes and go to the opera.
Plan each other's outfit, get your hair done, and head out for a night neither of you will ever forget. During the intermission, get into a deep discussion about how moving the arias really are.
WITH YOUR MOM: Make Thanksgiving dinner together.
It's a huge undertaking, no doubt, when you consider the turkey, appetizers, side dishes, desserts, and the tablescape. But doing it together — with a bangin' Spotify playlist — will make it feel like a party. (Plus, it's a sneaky way to learn the tricks so you can take the reins next year!)
WITH YOUR MOM: DIY an epic milestone birthday gift.
A purchased gift is special, but DIYing it takes it to a whole new level. Let your Pinterest flag fly free and make her personalized notecards or head to a pottery studio to create a set of unique bowls.
WITH YOUR DAUGHTER: Order ice cream sundaes as big as your face.
Don't underestimate the mood-lifting powers of the banana split (or whatever ooey-gooey creation you two want to dig into). Also: It doesn't matter if it's in the middle of July or sometime in January; ice cream always tastes good. If it's cold out, order it with hot fudge.
WITH YOUR DAUGHTER: Ditch your to-do lists for a day at the beach.
Call in sick and swear off email. Don't worry if all you want to do is lay under a beach umbrella, wade in up to your ankles, and just hang out together.
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WITH YOUR DAUGHTER: Dress up in tutus (or whatever she wants!) and go out.
Your daughter gets a day to pick out her outfit (and, if you're so inclined, yours too) without Mom telling her to go change. Tiaras, patterned tights, a thousand necklaces — anything goes! Then, go out for the day with confidence and a silly attitude.
WITH YOUR DAUGHTER: Cuddle puppies at an animal shelter.
Pups that need a forever home need some serious TLC. Sign up to volunteer one day and play with them, cuddle them and take them for walks. They'll reward you with kisses. And she'll learn about how wonderful it feels to help all creatures.
Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more. She is based in the Chicago suburbs and is a mom to two little boys and rambunctious rescue pup.
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