Field plans for dadsOne page per plan · Friday letter

Home / Start here / Print pack

Your print pack

1 field card, one per page: The big day out: your kid plans it.

Back to Start here

One card per US Letter page. No printer? Choose Save as PDF in the print screen.

Dad Field Manual · Field card 146 · Dad-and-Kid Dates

The big day out: your kid plans it

Once in a while, go big. Your kid picks a ballgame, museum or zoo, works out the money and schedule, and leads. You drive, pay and follow.

Time
Most of a day
Cost
About $40–80
Ages
8 to 17
Where
In town or a drive away

What you need

  • Tickets, bought ahead or at the gate
  • Money for one treat each
  • Water bottles for both of you
  • Sunscreen and hats for outdoor venues
  • Their written schedule and budget

Before you go

  • Pick a meet-up spot as soon as you arrive, like the main gate or info desk. If you get separated, both go there. Younger kids ask a worker.
  • Water and shade. CDC says carry a water bottle and refill it, and on hot days stay in shade and take breaks.
  • Sun outdoors. AAP: broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher 15 to 30 minutes before, reapplied every 2 hours, plus a wide-brim hat.

Steps

  1. Pitch three options and a budget. Offer a ballgame, museum or zoo and give them one total budget in dollars.
  2. They plan it. They check the venue's site for hours, prices and discount days, then write a schedule and total.
  3. Pack together. Pack water, sun gear and the schedule; agree on the meet-up rule before leaving.
  4. Run their schedule. They lead and track the budget; you follow and keep your phone away.
  5. Debrief on the way home. Compare spending to the budget, each name a best moment, and pick the next big day.

If it stalls

  • If they blow the budget on the plan, have them cut something before you go, not at the register.
  • If they get tired or cranky, sit down for water and a snack, then drop the last item on the schedule.

Cut out: the invite

You're planning our big day. Pick a ballgame, a museum or the zoo. I'll give you the budget; you run the schedule.

— Dad

Ask on the date

  1. What was the best moment today, and why?
  2. If you ran this place, what would you add?
  3. What's something you want to get really good at?
  4. Anywhere in the world, where would you go someday?
  5. How did we do on the budget? What would you change?
  6. What should our next big day be?

Keep it

Tape the ticket stubs or a printed e-ticket onto a notebook page, with the date, the total spent and each of your best moments.

Under budget by
We went on Next time: Date