Grandparents and grandchildren have a wonderful relationship – it’s special and unlike any other relationship. The warmth and love which grandparents shower on their grandchildren plays an important role in the children’s life. There are many activities which grandparents can do with their beloved grandchildren to create a bond which would last all their times. This bond can help the children when they grow up, to share things with their grandparents, which acts as a safety valve for them. Take a look at these activities which you can do with your grandchildren, which are so fun, your grandchildren will love to spend time with you:
12 Fun activities for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy together
1. Baking
Baking is an activity which has the potential for endless fun, while the kids learn the basics of making delicious cookies and cakes. It’s one of the best things to do with grandma as she can share old family recipes and tell children about their ancestors. Baking can keep the children busy for hours and the end result can be enjoyed by grandparents and grandchildren with great delight.
2. Take them to the playground/mall
As a special treat, you can take them mall hopping. They can browse through stores, or little ones can play in the play areas inside. Sometimes if you’re too tired and you want them to have a good time, getting them to the mall and letting them play in a secure is a good idea. You can sit and keep an eye on them, and all of you come back happy. This is one of the ideas which grandparents and grandchildren can spend time together.
3. Play board games or cards
Some of the fun activities which are very entertaining are playing cards and board games, especially when it’s raining or snowing. It’s a wonderful way to teach team spirit too.
4. Make your family tree
Another activity which brings grandparents and grandchildren closer is making your family tree. Older children especially find it interesting as they’re at an age when they want to know everything about their roots. They will love to know about great-great-grandfather and what he was known for, what he did and the various quirks of their ancestors. After making the tree, you can frame it so that you all can cherish it for a long time.
5. Gardening
If you love gardening, then it’s the perfect activity to pass on your love for flora and fauna to your grandchildren. You can grow pumpkins, berries, flowers together and the children would love to see their plants grow. You can plan an organic garden to teach them all about composting and using the compost as fertilizer. They will be proud to show off their homegrown organic food to their parents. It’s one of the fun activities that toddlers and small children love, especially when they get the chance to water with a watering can or hose.
6. Draw together
An activity which is great for the indoors is drawing or painting. When it’s raining outside but the weather’s not too cold, you can get your grandchildren involved in hand printing, or finger printing. In colder weather, you can draw together, and if you do not know how to draw, don’t worry about getting it right. You all can have a good laugh looking at everyone’s versions of different things. They might draw their favorite cartoon characters. If you have older grandkids, they can teach you a thing or two about graphic design or computers.
7. Reading
Grandparents and grandchildren can read together with mugs of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace. Take them to the library and find classics or the latest book from their favorite author. You can encourage them to read to you, which will improve their reading skills. And their vocabulary would improve and you’ll score brownie points with their parents, your kids, as parents love their kids reading books.
Reading to them and helping to inculcate the reading habit in your grandchildren will help them understand that books are their friends, and will be there for them always.
8. Make a photo collage
Things to do with grandma can be putting a photo collage together with the photos of you, your kids and your grandkids. You will have tons of fun looking at the photos and selecting the ones you all love. You can make a lot of photo collages which everyone can hang up in their rooms.
9. Bird watching
Take your grandchild to the park or a wildlife sanctuary and show them the beauty of birds and nature. Another variation of this idea is to make a pretty homemade birdfeeder to attract feathered friends to your garden. This is one of the entertaining ideas which help children to fall in love with nature and be kind to the creatures around them. Keep a birdbath too, and have fun watching the lovely birds enjoying themselves.
10. Make tons of ice cream
Ice cream is the best treat for people of all ages. Your grandkids would love to gorge on ice cream they helped make. You can find many recipes on the net and it’s quite easy to make, even without an ice-cream maker. Take them to the store and they can pick their favorite ingredients for a delicious sundae. Another great idea for grandparents and grandchildren to do together!
11. Get them started on a hobby
Your grandkid can learn to enjoy your hobby – it could be knitting, fishing, cooking, bee-keeping, making models cars and ships and so on. You can find fishing poles for kids, cooking utensils/ knives for kids to help them start their new hobby. Sharing a hobby is a very meaningful way to pass your time together.
12. Do puzzles together
Completing puzzles together will give your grandkids a sense of accomplishment. They’d love to show off their amazing puzzle to their parents when they come to pick them up.
Being a grandparent is one of the best things in life – you get to enjoy playing with your grandchild/grandchildren without worrying about the responsibilities. Most importantly, ask the kids what they want to do too, and find ways of doing that.
