Ben Affleck celebrates 54th birthday with Jennifer Garner and their kids

Ben Affleck celebrated his 54th birthday with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner and their two youngest children during a rare family outing in Santa Monica.

Affleck, who turned 54 on August 15, was photographed spending time with Garner and their children Fin, 17, and Samuel, 14, at the Farmshop market. Their eldest daughter, Violet, 20, was not pictured during the outing.

The former couple appeared relaxed as they spent time together with their children. Affleck kept things casual in a striped white shirt, baggy navy trousers and aviator sunglasses, while Garner wore green leggings, a black jacket and a blue baseball cap. Fin and Samuel were also dressed casually as they walked through the parking lot with their father.

The birthday outing comes after Affleck has largely stayed out of the spotlight following the death of his mother, Chris Anne, in June. His reunion with Garner also offered another glimpse at the former couple's friendly co-parenting relationship.

Affleck and Garner, who were married from 2005 until their divorce was finalised in 2018, continue to spend time together as they co-parent their three children. Garner recently praised Affleck for supporting her while she filmed Five Star Weekend, explaining that he took care of their children after the production location was changed.

"When it was offered to me, it was supposed to shoot, I think, in Nova Scotia," Garner previously told Entertainment Weekly. She explained that she initially felt unable to take the role because she did not want to leave her three children for four months.

After producers changed the filming location, Affleck stepped in to look after their children. "They can stay with their dad," Garner said. "He's wonderful. He takes care of them. He's a great partner in that way, and so that's very freeing."

The latest family outing highlights the close co-parenting relationship Affleck and Garner have maintained years after their split, with the pair continuing to come together for their children's milestones and family occasions.