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Because of the significant difference in ages, it's hard sometimes for grandparents and grandkids to find something that they'll enjoy to do together. That said, grandparents today are a huge part of their grandkids’ lives, whether as weekend hosts, as visiting playmates, or even as live-in family members.
This article outlines some of the most fun activities that grandparents and grandchildren can enjoy together and create memories as they do.
1. Go for a walk
Walks are great for exercising and getting some fresh air. If you or your grandkid has a dog, be sure to bring it along to make the walk even more fun. In addition to instilling healthy habits into your grandkids, nature walks also provide a good opportunity for some quiet quality time together.
When taking younger grandkids for a walk, you will want to bring along essential items such as a stroller and a hat and scarf set in case it gets cold. If your grandkids are particularly young, consider bringing along a diaper bag as well as feeding bottles or a pacifier when going out for walks.
2. A bit of gardening
If you love nature, consider exploring gardening activities with your grandkids. Select a few vegetables and fruits that you can plant and easily maintain in your garden.
To encourage your grandkids to get involved, buy them a gardening tool set suited for kids that come with tools such as shovels, trowels, watering cans, and gardening gloves. The kids will undoubtedly love getting their hands dirty, and gardening can become a bonding activity that you do with them regularly.
3. Organize a picnic
Engage your grandkids by taking them out for a picnic. To build up their excitement for the picnic, allow them to help you prepare whatever you plan to eat and also help you pack the picnic basket. Bring along some group games and some books so that you have something to bond over in the picnic area once you have had your meal.
If you have mobility issues, plan a picnic day in your garden so that you don't have to walk a long distance from your home.
4. Watch a movie together
Having a movie day is a great way for grandparents and grandkids to bond. Spend a day in with your grandkids watching family movies. Ask them to create a list of movies (with the help of their parents) that they want to watch, and suggest a couple of age-appropriate movies of your own, and on a day when the weather is less than favorable, hang out on the couch with some snacks and enjoy each other’s company.
An alternative is to book a movie ticket for an entertaining family movie playing in the nearest cinema theater. After the movie, you can discuss the various concepts covered in the movie. This will not only help strengthen your bond but will also encourage your grandkids to develop an interest in storyline development in movies.
5. A scavenger hunt
If your grandchildren are like most kids, chances are that they love treasure hunts. Organize a scavenger hunt that will allow them to develop observational and investigational skills. Create several clues that will have them running to the backyard, inside the house, and outside.
A scavenger hunt is especially fun on a sunny and bright day as it gives the kids more opportunity to move around freely and burn some energy. Make sure that the clues you come up with are fun and imaginative without being too hard for your grandkids to solve. For instance, you can create rhyming clues to make it more effortless for them to solve.
6. Visit the zoo
Visiting the zoo is a fun activity that both grandparents and grandchildren will enjoy. This is because zoos typically contain a wide variety of animals that kids can discover, plus many of them offer exciting and educational exhibitions and activities that both adults and children can engage in. By visiting your local zoo, you and your grandkids will have the opportunity to bond in a new, exciting environment.
7. Play video games
One of the most fun indoor activities for grandparents and their grandkids is playing video games. Next time you visit them, opt to join them in playing some of their favorite video games.
Allow them to teach you how to use the controls and allow them to explain the concept of the games. This is an unexpectedly sociable way to hang out with your grandkids for a couple of hours, and it allows both parties to span the generation gap. You may not be as good as they are, but your grandkids will love teaching you something that they are good at.
8. Read some books
Reading is a fun activity to do with your beloved grandkids especially on days when you want to spend time indoors. If you have some books from your childhood that you think your grandkids would enjoy, set aside a day when you can read these stories to them.
Other options include planning a trip to the library with your grandchildren, or hitting your local bookstore and allowing them to pick the latest children’s books as a treat.
9. Break out the games
A fun, inexpensive way to bond with your grandkids is to break out the board games. On a gloomy day, lift the moods of the little ones by breaking out classic board games such as monopoly, scrabble, or risk.
Board games are great in helping young kids get better at counting spaces, identifying colors, and improving hand-eye coordination, among other benefits. Additionally, they get to learn to wait for their turn as well as the importance of following rules. For older folks, board games can be calming and help in stress reduction.
10. Cooking
Cooking is a fun activity that all members of the family, including grandparents and grandchildren, can take part in. Being in the kitchen with your grandkids gives you a great opportunity to pass down family recipes as well as discuss family history. You can also try out new exciting recipes and help them develop some basic skills that will come in handy in the future.
Final Thoughts
Grandparents and grandchildren form strong bonds when they engage in activities together. The ten activities listed in this article will not only help form these connections, but they are also fun for both parties to do.
