Spending time with your grandchildren can be some of the most cherished time in your life. The role of grandparent often affords more time that can be spent with the children in your life than you’ve ever had before. Playing interactive activities and participating in funny games help children develop a sense of themselves as independent and competent persons. It also provides intellectual stimulation while strengthening the bond you share. Many times grandparents are separated from their grandchildren by distance. There are still many ways for grandparents to stay connected in these situations.
Reading to young grandchildren will help instill a lifelong love of learning. For older kids, consider sharing with them some of your favorite books. Ask your grandchildren what they are reading for pleasure and ask them to tell you all about the book. Opportunities to convey information, to connect, to bond, and to ask questions are just a few of the benefits associated with reading to your grandchildren. Grandparents who don’t live near their grandkids may want to make a recording or video of themselves reading books. A national non-profit group called United Through Reading has a Grandparent Program. The program allows grandparents to read a special book for their grandchildren and weave in family legacies while being recorded on DVD. For information on the Grandparent Program contact grandparent@unitedthroughreading.org
Share your family history with your grandchildren by looking through old photographs and albums. Tell your grandkids stories about the relatives they may never meet. Talk to them about what it was like for you growing up. Hand over some of your old jewelry, like old promise rings, kids love artifacts like that. This is an opportunity to give them a legacy of their family history and also give them a personal account of history in general from a personal perspective.
Get your grandkids moving! The U.S. Surgeon General’s office reports that children are supposed to get 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Join the kids for your own dose of exercise as well. Teach the kids the steps to some of your favorite dances. Do you still remember the Jitterbug or the Mashed Potato? This activity could be the test. While everyone is up and dancing, consider playing a game of freeze dance. This involves playing various genres of music while everyone dances freely - until the music stops. Everyone has to freeze right where they are. Why not add some singing to those dances with some karaoke online, it’s very easy and kids love pretending to be singing stars>
Explore creativity with your grandkids. Encourage and praise their artwork. Take them for a visit to an art museum or a live musical performance. Help them write a story or write one with them. Work together on homemade birthday cards for family members. Cooking and baking can even offer opportunities for creative expression. Decorate cookies and cakes. Try new recipes together.
Share your passions with your grandchildren. Are you an avid knitter or photographer? Share your knowledge and talents with them. They may discover they have a natural aptitude for the very things that you enjoy.
There are endless ideas for activities that can be shared with your grandkids. Parenting magazines and websites are a great resource for additional ideas. Most activities outlined for parent/child interaction can be tailored for a grandparent/grandchild relationship.
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