Activities for dads

As a dad, there are plenty of things that you and your child can enjoy together which will give you that valuable time to bond and get to know each other, as well as having the added bonus of giving mum some much-needed time to herself.

Dads and new babies
Getting out and about on your own with your baby can be great for boosting your confidence as a new dad - many new dads feel left out as they watch their partner doing the lion’s share of looking after the baby, and end up feeling that they won’t be able to cope alone. Even if your baby is being exclusively breast fed, good planning makes it perfectly possible for you and your baby to have a few hours on your own without needing mum. If your baby will take expressed milk in a bottle, or is on formula milk, then you can be even more independent. Watch gurgle's guide to making up a bottle for more tips. And if you need further advice, read How to bottlefeed correctly to give you those extra tips.

A great activity for dads to do with their new baby is swimming – you can either do this independently at your local pool, or maybe even follow a course of lessons. There are several companies which offer swimming lessons for young babies – see our article on Swimming for babies for more information. If you can, try and find out about locally available baby activity classes, such as music and movement, which you can attend at weekends – these can also be a good opportunity for meeting other new dads!

Strolls in the park or to the shops can be fun activities for dads and babies and your partner will appreciate some time off now and again. Why not arrange to meet up with other dads in your area while the mums rest at home?

You can also watch gurgle's guide to baby massage. The perfect way to bond with your baby.

Dads and toddlers
As your child grows, the opportunities for shared activities increase. If you don’t see much of your child during the week, get involved in their daily routine at the weekend when you have more time to spare – helping your toddler to get dressed in the morning, preparing a special breakfast or even having a set “dad’s time” at the weekend, such as Saturday morning, will soon become something that your child looks forward to each week. Get involved with reading to your child, or find a sport you can do together – investing in a simple child seat for the back of your bike means you can take rides together while you keep fit.

On those days when you are at home during the week, try and get involved in those everyday activities which are usually mum’s domain, such as doing the school run or making dinner. You’ll find out more about your child this way, and he will see that you are interested in what he does on a daily basis and want to be involved in his life too.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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Last Modified: 06/06/2008

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