When you’re staying home with the kids, the house can start to feel more like a carnival than a home. Use these easy date ideas to relax and unwind amid the chaos, and spend quality time with your little ones.

1. Parenting is a Walk in the Park, Literally!

When you’re a parent of a young child, it can be difficult to make time for exercise. That’s why this mommy & me date is perfect for your neglected workouts! Grab a stroller, or a wagon for older kids, and head out to explore some nature in your area.

To make it fun for the kids, bring along some fun children’s music to listen to, or some toys to keep in the wagon. Your child will love walking with you like a big kid and can relax in the wagon when they need a break.

On the way there you can grab some grown-up coffee for yourself, as well as one of the top 10 Starbucks drinks that kids love!

2. Baby Book Club

You are never too young to start experiencing the joys of reading. One great way to spend the day with your kids and get out of the house is to head to a bookstore. Help your child pick out a book that they’d like to read, and go for something that may be slightly above their reading level, or a bit of a challenge. This way, you can read with them and help them to develop their skills! Once you get home, you can cozy up on the couch and read together.

3. Mommy Movie Night

Carting toddlers through a movie theater can be… a little less than relaxing. Here’s a great date idea perfect for fussy toddlers: Make the movie theater experience right at home for a fun night of cinema.

First, choose a film. Maybe you want to put on the latest Disney movie available for rental. You could even screen some home movies of your last family vacation, or let your kids see some footage of when you were young!

No movie night is complete without movie snacks. Opt for the traditional popcorn and soda, or make some healthy kid-friendly alternatives.

A great way to get your kids to eat healthily is to create a themed menu. For Star Wars, create some BB-8 cucumber rice balls. They are super easy, inexpensive, and only require rice, cream cheese, and cucumber! If sci-fi isn’t your thing, you can’t go wrong with Frozen-themed fruit smoothies for a Disney movie night.

4. Front Porch Camping

Maybe a weekend camping trip was fun when you were younger, but camping with a 2-year-old? That’s a whole other beast. Packing, tantrums, meal preparation, and more can make getting into the great outdoors nearly impossible.

That’s why new moms can’t get enough of the front porch camping trend. All you need is a tent, some pillows and blankets, and flashlights and you’re ready to go! Set up a little campsite right in your yard and spend the night under the stars.

If your kids get cranky, you can just bring them right back in and put them to bed. You don’t even have to worry about planning meals or packing food because your kitchen is just a few steps away.

The Bottom Line

Parenting doesn’t have to be a chore. Just because your children aren’t old enough to do many of the activities you love doesn’t mean you’re stuck hanging out in the playroom every day.

Try out these fun and unique mommy & me dates next time you’re feeling bored. It’ll be a blast for you and your little ones while staying easy and under budget!