Fun activities for when the grandkids visit
Being a grandparent is one of the greatest things in the world. Grandchildren look up to you and want to spend quality time with you. But sometimes it can be hard to come up with activities for you both to do together, especially something that builds a relationship while you have fun. We have some ideas for you! Check out these ideas for the next time your grandchild visits you.
Go on a scavenger hunt
If your grandchildren are on the more adventurous side, a scavenger hunt is a great way to spend quality time while keeping them engaged. Not only are they easy to create – you can tailor them to any theme, age, or place – but they are great no matter how many grandchildren you have. You can play with an individual child or invite the whole family.
Scavenger hunts offer you and your grandchildren some friendly competition and a little excitement to the day. You can play inside, outside, take a trip to somewhere new.
Items you need are the scavenger hunt list, a pen or pencil, a bag or box to collect items in and a prize. If you want, you can also bring along a clipboard to make writing easier. You’ll also need to up to 20 minutes to brainstorm a list, print it and gather the materials. If necessary, you can also take some time to plant some of the items for kids to find.
Tell stories
Children love to hear stories, especially about the people they know and love. Break out a home movie or old photo albums and share family stories with them. They’ll probably really like to hear stories from your childhood and to hear about their parents when they were similar ages.
Bake something yummy
Children love eating, especially something sweet. If you enjoy baking, a great activity is to teach your grandchild how to bake. Whether it’s pie, cake, or cookies, your grandchild will love messing around in the kitchen. Make sure you have them help you clean up!
Make a time capsule
Your grandchildren are at a unique stage in their development. There is nothing better than capturing their thoughts, interests, and favorite things than a time capsule. Not only is it a fun activity now, but your grandchild will also have the memory of putting it together with you. Then, once they are older, they’ll be able to take a look at the child they once were.
Some items you may want to include:
- Local daily newspaper
- Something they love to collect
- A CD with their favorite music
- Menu from their favorite restaurant
- Photographs or videos
- A favorite toy
Play puzzles or games
Children love to play games, and there is no shortage of games to choose from! From board games to puzzles, even video games, you can play many kinds of games depending on you and your grandkids interests. Introduce your favorite board game or let your grandchild show you their favorite video game. It’s less about the game itself, and more about learning about each other.
Have a movie night
Everybody loves a great movie. Spend some quality time indoors watching a favorite movie. Show your grandchild your favorite black and white classic or have them pick out a new release. With the help of Netflix and Hulu, you can find lots of titles. If you’re looking for the full movie experience, head to a local theater.