Between busy school days and extracurricular activities, it’s not always easy for parents and caregivers to find quality time to spend with kids. That’s why a new TikTok trend is going viral and inspiring grown-ups to put together unique outings with kids that help them connect and create awesome memories. They’re called “pick-a-card adventures,” and they’re a unique twist on a standard day out that puts kids in control of the fun.
What is a pick-a-card adventure?
It’s not clear who started the pick-a-card adventure trend, but if you search the term on TikTok, hundreds of videos come up. It works like this:
- First, the grown-ups decide on activities for a fun day with the kids. It might be wearing special outfits, having a treat or going on a fun outing.
- Next, choose two different options for each activity. For example, two different treats you might offer or two parks where you might go play.
- Each option gets written down on an index card.
- When it’s time for the activity, kids blindly choose one card. The card they pick decides which of the options they get to do.
Here’s one viral example so you can see how it works. In this video shared by mom Jessica Boltz, she lets her daughter choose between wearing normal clothes or dressing like a princess, which restaurant they’ll go to for breakfast and whether she gets to buy a new outfit or a new toy.
Pick-a-card adventure ideas
Adults have used the pick-a-card format to create some truly special and unique activities for kids. Here are some of the creative ways they’re using the format.
1. Pick-a-card dad and daughter day
In this example by The Chavez Family, a dad lets his toddler choose between a toy shopping trip at Target or a day at a Disney theme park (they live nearby). Later, she picks between cards that say “sushi date” or “Starbucks date.” They end the night with a final choice between a tea party or a spa night at home. You could also recreate this one for a mom and son, grandparent and grandkid or some special one-on-one time with a sitter or nanny.
2. Pick-a-card family night
One mom used the pick-a-card trend to build a family-themed adventure. She let her whole family choose cards that said whether they had dinner or dessert first, cooked at home or ordered pizza and had a game night or a movie night. This would be a perfect idea for a fun summer night or even a rainy day.
3. Pick-a-card birthday adventure
Birthdays offer a built-in opportunity for some pick-a-card fun. Here, a kid turning 7 gets to choose between donuts or a special Starbucks drink, where to go for a fun birthday shopping trip and where to go for dinner and dessert.
4. Pick-a-card teen birthday celebration
These fun outings aren’t only for younger kids. They can also be customized to make the day special for a tween or teen, like this birthday celebration that has a teen choosing between skipping school or taking a half day, then getting to choose breakfast, self-care, a little bit of shopping and some yummy dessert.
5. Pick-a-card big day out
If you have an activity planned already, like a day at the ballpark or a theme park (or even a trip to the local park!), you can use the pick-a-card format to let kids have a say in the details. For example, this person took a kid to a baseball game, then he got to choose whether to buy a new hat or jersey and where they stopped to eat.
6. Pick-a-card adventure on a budget
A lot of the viral pick-a-card adventures feature activities like shopping sprees and extravagant meals, which isn’t realistic for every person’s budget. But having a limited budget doesn’t have to mean that you skip the activities altogether. Some people have built fun days with lower cost options, like letting kids choose which movie or TV show they’ll watch together or whether they have waffles or cereal at home for breakfast. This one even includes a spending limit of $20-30.
Why are pick-a-card adventures such a hit?
People are falling in love with the idea of pick-a-card adventures because they offer a unique way to spend time with kids and they add an element of surprise and fun that kids aren’t necessarily expecting.
“The best part is she has no idea what any of it says, but she’s so excited,” one person writes on the video of the toddler and her dad having a spa night and sushi.
“She’ll remember this forever,” another person adds.
Others like the trend because it gives people a chance to bond, especially if they’re usually caring more than one child. While some have turned the trend into a family adventure or tried it with siblings, many of the videos feature one parent or caregiver spending quality time with just one kid, which gives them a rare opportunity to connect one-on-one.
Pick-a-card adventures are unique in that they can be altered to suit anyone’s budget, interests and schedule. Some have even put a pick-a-card adventure together for their spouse, best friend and other special people in their life. The important thing is just spending quality time with people you care about, and we could all use a little more of that.
