Lately, I have been thinking of starting a new tradition in my family: mother-daughter dates. Since adding our second child, it’s been harder to have one-on-one time with my daughter. I find myself trying to squeeze quality time in with her lately, which honestly is hard to manage on some days. To combat this, I have decided that it is time to start setting aside special time with her where she has my undivided attention and our special time together is not rushed.
Not only do I want to make my daughter feel special and loved through our mother-daughter dates, but I want her quirks to be celebrated, her interests to be encouraged, and for her to know that no matter what, I am always here. I know that is shown through everyday love languages, including quality time.
Quality time is something to be cherished because, whether I like it or not, my time with my children is fleeting. Though no matter if my daughter is four or 64, I hope that this tradition of mother-daughter dates will always continue.
If you are not sure where to start with your mother-daughter date ideas, then don’t worry because here’s a list to help spark some ideas! If your child is older, you may want to ask them what sounds like fun. *These ideas are not sorted by age appropriateness, so please do what you feel is age-appropriate for your child.
40+ Local Chattanooga Mother-Daughter Date Ideas
Unique Experiences Mother-Daughter Date Ideas
Naughty Cat Cafe: Is your daughter obsessed with cats? Well, here’s your chance to go pet some cats while grabbing your coffee. The cat lounge rate is $13 per hour. Your booking fee includes one nonalcoholic beverage (beer and baked goods are available for purchase). The minimum guest age is 11 years of age.
The Sweet and Savory Classroom: Does your girl love to cook? Check out one of the child and parent cooking classes. The classes range from learning how to decorate cookies to cooking a scrumptious meal.
Hidden Hills Farm & Saddle Club: Many of us mamas are familiar with farm day at Hidden Hills farm, but did you know they offer guided trail rides, as well? Click here to learn more information about cost and how to schedule.
Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater: Located in Trenton, GA, about thirty minutes outside of Chattanooga, there is a drive-in theater! Click here to learn more about upcoming movie showings.
Hotel Slumber Party: What kid doesn’t say staying at the hotel is their favorite part of a vacay? Have a slumber party at a local hotel. Make sure to pack fun snacks and your swimsuits!
More Adventurous Mother-Daughter Date Ideas
Lake Winnie: Did you know there is an amusement/water park right outside of Chattanooga? Lake Winnie opens on May 8th. Click here to learn more about attractions and park info.
Nooga Splash is an inflatable aqua park at Chester Frost. Basically, it is a huge obstacle course on the water! Check out pictures and more information about pricing here.
Southern Belle Riverboat is a sightseeing cruise in Chattanooga, TN. What a cool way to explore your hometown! The riverboat offers over a variety of cruises like a lunch cruise or even holiday themed cruises.
Escape/Breakout Room: There are quite a few “escape rooms” in Chattanooga. If you and your daughter are up to a challenge, put your minds together as you solve a mystery before the time runs out!
High Point Climbing is such a unique experience. Whether you want to climb up 45-foot walls or test your strength as you boulder, it is a fun challenge that allows for you and your daughter to use teamwork while building a skill. Plus, High Point has a pretty cool kid zone.
Sky Zone: Ever thought about being a ninja warrior princess? Well, now is your chance. Go jump and play at DEFY, while completing their ninja obstacle course. Bonus points if your daughter makes a TikTok video of you nailing it.
White Water Rafting on the Ocoee River: Want a super exciting and challenging mother-daughter date? Try white water rafting! There is also ziplining at the Ocoee River too. Click here to read more information.
Gaming Mother-Daughter Date Ideas
Chattanooga Pinball Museum & Classic Arcade is located downtown Chattanooga. Admission tickets allow you to play all day long (wrist bands allow you to come and go) on all operating machines. Check out their website for a list of current arcade machines that you are able to play! Whether your girl is a gamer or not, this would be such a cool mother-daughter date.
The Southside Social is a family-friendly bowling alley that has other indoor gaming (pool, skeet shooting, giant jenga, etc.), along with outdoor games and seating.
Hamilton Skate Place is an indoor roller rink. Want to relive your glory childhood days of roller skating? Sometimes, there are even super fun themed skating nights like ’80s night! Check out more info here.
TopGolf Chattanooga is such a fun mother-daughter date idea! If playing top golf doesn’t sound like fun to you, be sure to check out the 18 hole miniature golf course. There is also a restaurant onsite with indoor and outdoor seating areas with firepits.
Artsy Mother-Daughter Date Ideas
The Pottery Place of Chattanooga is such a fun mother-daughter date because any age can do it! Basically, you pick out your pottery (there are SO many cute options), paint it, then pieces are kiln-fired at the studio (you typically pick them up a week later). They also have take home options.
Painting With A Twist offers kid parties, or “paint & sip wine” parties for all you 21+ mother-daughters. I absolutely love Painting With A Twist. Even if you have no artistic abilities, they will help you create a fun art piece! Check out their website for upcoming events & pictures to paint.
Hunter Museum of American Art: Explore the exhibits at the Hunter Museum and make a stop at their Create and Play room!
FREE Mother-Daughter Date Ideas
Check out one of Chattanooga’s beautiful parks and playgrounds: Whether your aim is to play, go on a walk, or take a bike ride, the variety of parks and views in Chattanooga are endless.
Walk Around Downtown Chattanooga: Walk over the bridge or head over to Umbrella Alley — there are lots of fun spots to take some mother-daughter selfies.
Bike Around Chattanooga: Whether you have your own or rent one from downtown, biking around Chattanooga is such a fun adventure.
Hiking Around Chattanooga: From the Soddy Gulf to Sunset Rock, there are so many trail options around Chattanooga. Check out this list of the best trails in Chattanooga.
Swimming Holes Around Chattanooga: With the weather warming up, go on an adventure and pack a picnic while checking out these water hole spots around Chattanooga.
Chester Frost Park: Do you and your girl love the beach? Then pack your sunblock and head over to the Chester Frost lake area. Sand + water + breathtaking views?! What’s not to love about this fun place to escape.
Cardboard Hill: Grab your leftover cardboard and head over to Cardboard Hill. Bring a picnic or walk to Clumpies ice cream afterwards for a well-deserved treat.
Thrifty Mother-Daughter Date Ideas
Visit your local thrift store and buy each other an outfit. Wear it out on your date!
If you are a book, music, or game lover, be sure to head over to McKay’s. Set a $5 spending limit and buy each other a fun surprise to take home to enjoy.
Explore The Chattanooga Market. With a variety of vendors and beautiful views of the city to see, you are bound to have lots of fun here!
Spend the day at Warner Park’s Pool & Splash Pad (near the Chattanooga Zoo).
Ride the Coolidge Park Antique Carousel. This fun experience is part of Coolidge Park. It is located right beside the fountains at the park.
Other Mother-Daughter Date Ideas
Mani/Pedi
Go get mother-daughter hair blow-outs at The Blowout Co.
Book a local photographer to take mother-daughter photos.
Try out a new cuisine or dessert location! Chattanooga has so many different options when it comes to dining out! Check out these local lists of the best brunch spots, outdoor dining restaurants, local pizza joints, and top Mexican restaurants.
Lookouts Baseball Game: The Chattanooga Lookouts always have family themed nights!
Build A Bear: Making a new huggable best friend is so special. Why not make one with your special girl? Maybe this will even encourage her to sleep in her own bed, maybe…fingers crossed!
At Home Mother-Daughter Date Ideas
Host a Tea Party: Do you have actual china in your china cabinet? If so, this is the perfect opportunity to pull it out and use it. You can make tea sandwiches or cookies while sipping on different teas or lemonade.
Spa Night: Face masks, foot masks, pedicures! Whether you pick up your own masks or try to make your own homemade recipe, this would be such a fun night with a preteen or teen girl.
Movie Night: Whether you Redbox or Netflix it, don’t forget the buttered popcorn and movie snacks! The snacks are almost more important than the movie, right?
Game Night: Is your daughter into board games or video games? Take a night to chill and play her favorite game.
Nailed It: Are you a baker? Whether you are or not, rise up to the challenge and create a “Nailed It” worthy masterpiece together.
Dance Party: Turn on Pandora or try to learn the latest TikTok dance — you are bound to have lots of laughs and fun memories to look back on.
Annual Pass Mother-Daughter Date Idea
I hope you found this list to be helpful as you plan some mother-daughter dates with your daughter. A mother-daughter bond is so special. Let us always remember to cherish that relationship and spend quality time with our daughters. No matter how old our daughters become, they will always be our little girls.
Do you have any other mother-daughter date ideas to add to the list? If so, let me know in the comments below!
Chattanooga Ballet is doing Sleeping Beauty on April 6/7 if anyone is up for a fancy girls date.