FUN ACTIVITIES FOR LONG-DISTANCE DADS TO DO WITH THEIR KIDS

Written by Lance Green 

Every dad wants to be there when their kid speaks for the first time or walks for the first time. Dads do not want to miss out on any other part of their growth but not all dads are lucky enough to be with their kids. Some dads only get to see their kids a few times a year during holidays or vacations. 

Staying connected with your kid within the constraints caused by the distance may be very challenging at times. Your child misses you and will want to talk to you about anything that is bugging them, like a bully in class, after all dads are any child’s first superhero.  

So here are some fun activities to help you strengthen your connection with your child despite the distance.  

Watch Movies Together 

With various OTT platforms offering features ‘watch party’ you can now watch your child’s favourite movies together. For some other OTTs like Netflix, there are Chrome extensions that allow you to synchronise the movies or series you watch.  

Watching a movie with your child may be a good way to unwind while at the same time bonding with them. Furthermore, by doing this you get to see what kind of content they like and helps keep a check on their internet safety.  

Play Online Games with Your Child 

There are millions of online multiplayer games available today from Minecraft to Among Us that you can play with your child. These games will help strengthen your bond with your child and additionally lets you teach them how to play responsibly and teach a healthy gaming habit in your child. 

Surprise Deliveries 

Have some gifts dropped for your child on their birthdays or other special days. The gifts need not be expensive, even simple flowers or balloons on the day of their ballet or play will do. Or you can have some burgers and fries home delivered.  Maybe add a note telling them how much they mean to you and how proud you are of them. 

Buying them gifts makes them feel loved and show that you care for them. But remember that you can’t win over their hearts through gifts alone. You can’t neglect your other duties towards them and try to make it up by getting them expensive gifts.  

Create Traditions 

Make some new traditions and introduce your children to some old favourites. When you are with your child, ask them what they’d like to do like going to some specific place or attending some event or maybe working together on a DIY project. If you used to go to some specific spot with your dad, like a family fishing spot or a picnic spot, take your child there.  

Themed Video Calls 

Amp up your video calls with themes; you could dress up as characters from your child’s favourite Disney cartoon or make it a family game night with Dumb Charades. You can even get DIY kits and assemble it together over the video call and exchange whatever you created. 

You can pretend to share snacks over the video chat and even have dinners together. Some museums, zoos or companies such as NASA allow you to take virtual field trips, make sure to utilize them to their fullest potential.   

Send Cards, Letters or Notes 

With all of today’s technology available at your disposal, no one would want to spend time writing letters or postcards. But it is definitely worth it! Children love receiving personalised cards or anything addressed to them by post. You could also post them pictures of unique picturesque places you go to. 

You can also get your children to send letters to you. You could keep these letters to serve as the memoirs of some beautiful days. 

You could spend maybe an hour a day or in a week to write notes about your child. If you write 4 good things an hour and spend maybe a few hours each week you have 20 ways to appreciate your child. You could send them these notes via mail. 

Final Thoughts 

The activities listed above will help you stay connected with your child even from afar. But nothing comes close to being with your loved ones, so visit them whenever you can, provided your partner is open to it.