Fun with Grandchildren
10 Great Ideas for Fun with Grandchildren
One of the things many seniors look forward to most is spending time and having fun with grandchildren. There’s certainly no shortage of family-friendly ideas to think about when planning activities with grandchildren, but sometimes generational divides and differing ages between siblings make it difficult to find an activity that’s fun for grandchildren and seniors of all ages. When in doubt, older adults can just ask grandchildren what they’d most like to do or brainstorm a list of suggestions together. In the meantime, here’s a tried-and-true list of 10 ideas that young and old alike will enjoy.
1. Swimming
Kids love going to the beach, and swimming is great exercise for seniors. It’s easy on the joints, so it won’t put as much strain on the body as some other workouts do. Swimming is also a great way for grandkids to burn off energy while seniors kick back and watch! 2. Museums
Try taking grandkids to a local children’s museum, science museum, art or history museum, or observatory. These places may seem boring to some kids, but they’re usually packed with so many exhibits and so much information that it’s hard to stay bored inside.
3. Cooking
Grandma’s (or Grandpa’s) cookies are famous for a reason. During a lazy afternoon, seniors can get together with grandkids and try a new recipe or bake up a batch of an old standby. It’s a great way to bond and enjoy fun with grandchildren. 4. Plays
They can sometimes be pricey, but for a special treat, there’s almost nothing better, as kids will remember plays they see for years to come. For thrifty options, think about Shakespeare in the Park or local community-theater or high-school performances. 5. Movies
Rather than dropping the grandkids off at a movie and picking them up later, see the movie with them! It might be hard to find an option that pleases everyone, but if grandkids are young or seniors are willing to compromise their tastes a little bit, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a film on which you can all agree. And if not, head to the rental place, where you’ll have hundreds of titles from which to choose.
6. Home Movies/Pictures
Many kids have an aversion to anything “old”—that is, until they come to photographs or movies of their parents or grandparents. One excellent way for seniors to have fun with grandchildren is to pull out those old photo albums and show them the past. They may have never seen pictures of their parents or you as children, and they’ll likely be captivated. 7. Scavenger Hunts
When I was a kid, my grandma used to write rhyming clues for treasure hunts and scavenger hunts around her house. When I finished the hunt and found all the clues, we’d have ice cream together. I still love those memories and appreciate the work she did. If a scavenger hunt sounds fun to you, try working one up for your grandchildren.
8. Sports
Find out what your grandkids’ favorite sports are, and take them to watch a game. If they play the sport, show up to one of their games to cheer them on! If your grandkids don’t like sports, try doing something creative together, like drawing or playing a musical instrument.
9. Computer Skills
It’s no secret that kids can beat out seniors any day when it comes to technology. If you’re curious about what you’re missing, ask your grandchildren to teach you how to send text messages, set up a new e-mail account, or post a message in an online forum. They’ll be glad to share their knowledge with you, and you’ll quickly become of the most tech-savvy seniors around! 10. Games
Most kids love games. If you like bridge, euchre, or other table games, teach your grandchildren how to play. In return, they can teach you the rules of one of their favorite board games.
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