We all know that the relationship a daughter has with her father is one of the most important ones growing up. In fact, having a positive relationship can set your daughter up to be confident in her own self-worth and how she expects to be treated by others. However, for many dads finding common ground on which to bond with their daughters can be a challenge. Especially if they have trouble embracing the more ‘princessy’ side of things. After all, there are only so many princess films you can sit through before they all start to blend into one. The good news is there are still plenty of options to choose from. Keep reading to find out what they are.

Create an artwork together

One of the most fun things about being a dad is all the neat activities you suddenly have a reason to be involved in again. One of the best of these is getting seriously messy and creating a piece of art.

In fact, as a joint interest creating artwork together can work really well as a daddy-daughter activity. After all, it requires excellent communication and teamwork.

Don’t panic if you’re not the naturally arty type, either as there are actually plenty of ideas and tutorials online. Additionally, it’s highly likely that the diva in your life will have some ideas about what to paint or create as well. Although, if you leave it all to her, I cannot guarantee that a princess motif might not make it into your work!

Go out for a meal together

Another smart way to spend some quality daddy-daughter bonding time is to schedule a regular meal. If you can, take your daughter out for this because it can make it just that bit more special. Also, if you have other children in your home, it means that she gets your undivided attention for the duration of the meal. This being something that can make a massive difference to your relationship.

It shouldn’t have to be a fancy meal, of course, Although getting your daughter involved in picking the venue is always a smart idea. After all, you don’t want the experience to be marred by complaining.

Of course, it’s not just the act of being out and enjoying a meal together that makes this option special. It is taking the time to make a genuine connection with your daughter. Something you can do by catching up on what has been going on in her life. In fact, by making an effort to develop this kind of relationship with your daughter from a young age, you can forge a healthy connection. One that means she knows she can come talk to you if she has a problem, even as she grows up and becomes an adult.

Don’t worry too much about what to say and ask either. You can do a little research online if you choose and get some questions. But just going with the flow and showing an interest in what she is talking about is usually enough to get the ball rolling.

You may also want to try a variation on this theme and cook a meal together as well. In fact, this is an activity that you can choose to do at home if you like. Although you may wish to invest in the odd cooking class together sometime as well.

Explore a new place together

Another fantastic option for daddy-daughter time is to explore a new place together. In fact, sometimes, if you can go to a location that you haven’t visited before as well, it can level the playing field. That is, she will know as much as you do about the place you are visiting. Therefore can be involved in making choices of where to go and what to see.

You can even spend some extra time together researching what there is to do in the area you know you are going to visit. Something that will give you a shared bond and a good reason to talk even before you go on your trip.

Build something together

Next, if you are more of a practical guy, why not use this to your advantage and get your daughter involved in a building activity? Happily, we are well past the outdated idea that building things with our hands is only for boys. Something that means your diva is likely to jump at the chance of getting involved with such a project.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Once again, you can start the process by choosing a project to work on together. Whether that is something more traditional like a soapbox racer or a birdhouse, or one of the many you can find online.

Don’t discount the fact that your daughter may also want to help you out with DIY and renovation jobs that need doing around the house too. In fact, by using your daddy-daughter time to do this, you are setting an excellent and responsible explanation. While also teaching her essential skills that she can use later on in life.

Of course, safety is always vital when it comes to building projects, especially if you decide to allow your kids to help. To that end, before each session, be sure that you explain the safety rule carefully and kit out your child with things like google and gloves.

Encourage a shared love of sports

For many dads, sports like NBA basketball are their big passion in life, and there is only one thing that can make it even better. That is getting to share it with the most important person in your life, their daughter.

What it pays to remember here is that like many subjects, a love of sport is often something that is learned from those around you as you grow up. That means if you want your daughter to be enthusiastic about basketball and come to games with you, you need to encourage this from a young age.

One way to do this is to invite them to sit down and watch games with you at home. In fact, if you can make a big deal of it with foam fingers, banners, snacks, and drinks even better. Additionally, for those that are a little older, educating them on some of the key players and events in the NBA can help them be much more invested in the game. In fact, they may end up being so invested that their enthusiasm and knowledge eventually surpasses your own. Which, for a proud fan and father, really is a beautiful moment.

Have a cultural exchange

Finally, while we live in a much less gender-stereotyped world, the chances are that you have probably seen a few princess films already. You will likely end up watching a few more before your daughter (& son/s) grows up and moves out too.

However, why not temper this and spend some additional time with your daughter by offering a sort of cultural exchange? That is for every princess film you have to sit through (I’m thinking of your Frozen) you watch one of your favorites movies together as well. Age and topic appropriate, of course. That means no Rambo for the little ones! In fact, by doing this, you can encourage a love for all sorts of genres, and the movie-going experience in your daughters.

It’s also a fantastic way to spend some relaxed quality time in each other’s company. This being something vital to maintaining a positive relationship with your daughter. Both throughout her childhood, and when she is grown too.