9 things you can do together
As a father, it can be a great pleasure to do something together with your child. Once your child reaches a certain age, going on trips and activities – just the two of you or with the whole family – is really good fun.
Here are 9 ideas for things you can do with your child:
1. Play in the playground
A trip to the playground is a chance for both you and your child to get some fresh air and exercise. Games and activities in the playground develop the child’s senses and skills. Swinging and spinning will develop your child’s sense of balance. Scrambling about on the climbing frame develops motor skills.
#TIP: Find playgrounds near you on your municipality’s website or on Google.
2. Learn something new at a museum
Museums are entertaining and full of new discoveries for both children and adults. Choose a museum that matches your child’s interests, such as nature, animals, dinosaurs, technology, war, history or whatever is near you. Admission to many museums is free for children and young people, and some have special programmes for children, for example at weekends.
#TIP: You can find museums and search by postcode or names on the museums’ own websites HERE.
3. Go foraging outdoors and find things to taste
Foraging means finding things you can eat in nature or in town. No matter where you live and what time of year it is, you will be able to find something near you. You and your child can learn a lot and have a lot of fun exploring with a new focus.
#TIP: There are several websites where you can find more information about areas and what to look for – including what NOT to eat. Try the Wild Food page HERE, for example.
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4. Go fishing
Fishing can be fun for both you and your child. For older children, using a fishing rod is intriguing, either from the pier, by a lake or from the beach. For the little ones, a trip to the local pond with a small net and a bucket may be enough.
Please note that all anglers aged 18-65 years must have a fishing permit. It is free for children under 18. A permit can often be bought in shops and kiosks close to where you can fish, or you can buy one online HERE. In put-and-take lakes, fishing permits are not required, and everything is included in the price for using the lake.
#TIP: On the Danish Nature Agency’s website you can find places to fish, both those that are free and those where you have to pay. You can find it HERE.
5. Explore nature
There are plenty of things to do in the countryside. For younger children, it is exciting just to see, smell and touch in new places, such as woods or a beach or meadow. You can also spend hours happily playing with sand on the beach, finding pine cones in the woods or just going for a walk. If you feel like something more adventurous, you can go canoeing, spend the night in a shelter or build a campfire.
If you want to do even more, you can find out whether there are nature guides who arrange outings in your area. There may be walks where you can pick berries or gather fungi, or look at birds, trees and flowers.
#TIP: Find inspiration for outdoor activities on the Danish Nature Agency website HERE.
6. Have an active day at the swimming pool
A visit to a swimming pool is fun and good exercise, and something active you can do indoors when it is cold and wet outside. For very young children, there should be a warm water pool, but older children can manage in the lower temperature in the larger pools. In any case, keep an eye on whether your baby gets cold and needs a break from the water, wrapped in a towel to warm up again.
#TIP: Many swimming pools require young children to wear a swim nappy and swimsuit or swimming trunks. Single swim nappies are often on sale at the swimming pool. There may be buggies or baby seats you can borrow to transport your child around in.
7. Visit a farm
If you and your child are interested in animals, you can visit a farm. At many of them you will be able to pet guinea pigs, cats, chickens and rabbits and watch the larger animals like pigs, cows, horses and sheep. Remember to take boots and suitable clothes that can get dirty.
#TIP: Farms open to visitors are often small and local, so it may take a bit of research to find somewhere near you where you can go.
8. Go to cultural centres, libraries and shopping centres
If there is a cultural centre, library or shopping centre in your town, they often arrange activities for families and children at weekends, such as concerts, children’s theatre or creative activities. Many shopping centres and libraries also have an indoor play area.
#TIP: Check their websites for what they have to offer and what is currently going on.
9. Just have fun at home
Of course, there are plenty of things you can do at home as well:
- Build a den from old cardboard boxes or sofa cushions, blankets and chairs.
- Let your child help with daily chores such as cooking, vacuuming or folding clothes. Many children find it fun if you take the time to show them how and explain as you go.
- Hunt for insects in your garden, pull up weeds or dig holes.
- Put up a little tent – indoors or outside. If you have space and the weather is suitable, you can try sleeping in a tent.
- Share your hobbies with your child and get together to listen to music, tinker with the car, paint and draw, or whatever interests you both.
- Read a book aloud to your child.
