Saturday, June 6, 2009

Grandparenting Activity Suggestions - Build a Great Cross Generational Relationship

Calling all parents and grandparents: Are you stuck for a suggestion for activities grandparents can do with their grandchildren? Look no further -- you have found a big list of things to do. Surely there will be at least one of these things that captures someone's imagination. This is only a jumping off place, to spark you to think of many other ideas. If you know of a great activity for grandchildren and grandparents to do, please write to me: I'd love to hear it. Here is my list:

  • trip to a lake or the beach
  • if Grandma or Grandpa are tech-savvy, try a cross generational blog!
  • digital photography
  • excursion to the zoo
  • a movie (good or bad) but if it's bad, the G.P may wish to host a "bad movie party" (I have a whole article dedicated to bad movie parties)
  • amusement park
  • a big jigsaw (with snacks of course!)
  • shopping
  • produce a video
  • if Grandma or Grandpa have any musical skills they can play music with the kids
  • baking cookies or doing crafts at the grandparents' house
  • have them come to your house and make a meal that you can all eat together
  • visit an old folks home. If the kids play any music have them perform. Most old folks home residents love this
  • ancient arts such as knitting, crocheting
  • involve the kids in volunteer work such as a soup kitchen
  • depending on the age of the kids, Grandma and Grandpa can take them on a weekend camping trip and make you a bit of couple time
  • golf, croquet, other games that arent too strenuous or risky for older folks
  • let Grandma/Grandpa plan and host a child's birthday party
  • help Grandma and Grandpa with cleaning or home improvement projects and get an excellent meal out of it.
  • gardening
  • a hike to a nearby natural place, assuming Grandma/Grandpa are up to it
  • a trip to the park
  • fishing, boating, swimming and other water sports
  • a trip to a museum appropriate for children
  • scrapbooking
  • a trip to a spectator sport such as a baseball game
  • let Grandma and Grandpa take the kids to their soccer or baseball game
  • some Grandmas and Grandpas might even want to coach kids' sports
  • state or county fair -- extra special if grandparents help the kids prepare an entry in it
  • a train or bus trip is always fun
  • hunting (older kids, of course)
  • music or art festival

I hope you were able to find at least one idea on this list that is appropriate for you and thanks for reading.

Colleen Kitchen has lifehacks galore at Hub Pages and also offers many healthy recipes at her Dork Chow Food Blog.

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