Milkshakes at Midnight
A Before-Bedtime Adventure for the Whole Family
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Sometimes, even small things can seem like big family adventures. Spontaneity and surprises can create great memories with your whole family, and milkshakes at midnight is just one example of a fun, spontaneous, and memorable thing you can do together.
Of course, you don’t actually have to go out at midnight to create this special moment. Wait until everyone’s in their pajamas to make the announcement you’re all going out for milkshakes. Piling in the car when it’s just about time for bed can seem extra special; like something you might only do when you’re on vacation. You might simply drive to the nearest McDonald’s for shakes or you can find an ice cream shop nearby that’s open late. If you have very young children and want to make this a quick trip, go for a drive-thru to save time. For a longer adventure, think about visiting a diner with great shakes where you can all sit down to share a chat and a sweet treat. Drive-in restaurants like Sonic are perfect if you don’t want to head home right away but also don’t want to leave the car.
Have Milkshakes Delivered to Your Door
If you live in a big city and don’t want to risk losing your parking space at night, consider modifying this idea by having shakes delivered to your doorstep. You can make it a surprise by ordering without telling the kids first, but make sure you know what they might want beforehand. For toddlers or kids who are neurodivergent, the surprise of food they didn’t pick out can sometimes lead to a meltdown. Even if the delivery itself isn’t a surprise, the simple act of ordering a late-night treat is still exciting.
Go Nuts for Donuts
Milkshakes are just one idea, but there are other variations you can consider too. We have a locally owned 24-hour donut shop nearby, which is great for grabbing a late-night snack. Our donut shop has a counter with stools so everyone can have a glass of milk (or coffee for the parents) and a delicious snack. If you don’t have a donut shop like this, a Dunkin Donuts or Tim Horton’s makes a great alternative.
Enjoy Holiday Lights and Hot Cocoa
During the holiday season, use this idea as a chance to enjoy the sites and a fun adventure. Stop for hot cocoa or peppermint milkshakes, and then take a tour of all the lights in your neighborhood. Check social media accounts first to find maps of impressive lights displays before you go to plan out your trip. Some displays may have donation boxes to help pay for the cost of the lights or food drive collections to help give back to those in need, so be sure to have a few non-perishable food items or some cash on hand to support the families who put on these great displays.
There are countless ways to make milkshakes at midnight work for your family. Even a family trip to the grocery store to buy supplies for ice cream sundaes or a cake can be an adventure. You’ll get to make some fabulous memories just by surprising your family with a quick nighttime getaway.
