Those of us lucky enough to have spent quality time with one or more grandparent will remember how magical those days could be. Grandparents’ favorite word is often “yes,” when a parents’ is “no.” Their houses are always filled with treats reserved for special occasions at home and their hearts are open as wide as their arms.
Whether your children have such a special relationship with a grandparent, or you’re hoping to help build one, Grandparent’s Day (the second Sunday in September each year) is a great time to start. Here are some fantastic gift and activity ideas for grandparents and grandchildren who live near or far.
That’s a wrap
Give your children a few days to generate some questions they’d like to ask their grandparents – about anything from your family’s history to what you were like growing up. On Grandparent’s Day, give your child a video camera and some time with their grandparent. They can make an interview tape that will not only bring them together but will be something the family can cherish for years to come.
A Novel Idea
Get grandparents and grandchildren together to create an “Our Family History” book. A craft store will carry the supplies and the grandparents’ memories can do the rest. Start with your family history as far back as memories can trace right up until today. It can become a tradition to add to the book each year.
Reality TV
For grandparents that live far away, videotape your children leaving a special message to their grandparents. You can create a DVD and send it through the mail so grandparents will have a very special program to watch over and over again.
High Tech
Older children will enjoy helping a grandparent learn a technology they may not be familiar with such as blogging, email, digital video recording or even online games like solitaire. The kids will enjoy sharing what they know and the grandparents will benefit from the lesson. If the grandparent learns how to play an online game, they can compete virtually with their grandchildren from any location for years to come.
Time Warp
Ask grandparents and grandchildren to work together to figure out what things they think are most important to them today. It could be a favorite drawing they did at school or a toy they’ve loved forever and recently outgrown. Create a time capsule together and bury the items in a place they can get to again. Make it a tradition to dig up the spot every few years on Grandparents Day; remember the past and add new important items. Together, grandparents and grandchildren can watch how their interests change over time.
Expert Advice
If the grandparent love activities like fishing, sewing or other things that their grandchildren don’t often do, ask the grandparent to give their grandchildren a tutorial. The grandparent will enjoy sharing their knowledge while the children will learn a new skill and perhaps develop a shared hobby for years to come.
School Days
Ask the administration at your child’s school to set-up some special activities for Grandparent’s Day. See if it can be an observation day for grandparents to come watch their grandchildren in the classroom and participate in shared projects throughout the day.
Just A Moment
Create a photo calendar for the upcoming year with pictures of your children as a gift for grandparents on Grandparent’s Day. You can have your child help choose the photos and ask them to write surprise notes such as “I love you Grandma!” on random calendar days.
Physical Education
It’s important for children and grandparents to stay active. Plan a physical activity such as a family walk or a day playing in the park where everyone can work on staying fit. Children may also enjoy teaching their grandparents a special dance and the grandparents in turn can show off moves from their youth.
The Reader
Start a grandparent-grandchild book club. Ask the grandparent to choose one book a month for your child to read or to be read to. The book can be read together in person or over the phone and the grandparent can watch the child learn and grow!
Phone Tag
Keeping in touch can get expensive. Give grandparents a phone card to help ease the costs. You can also help keep busy older in children connected by setting up a weekly “grandparent time” in which they can expect a catch-up call.
Sharing Love
If your family’s grandparents are no longer with us or even if they live far away, take the day to visit a home for the elderly. There are plenty of seniors out there with love to give who may not have family and would appreciate your time.