Grandchildren are one of life’s greatest joys. As a grandparent, you have the opportunity to share a special bond with your grandchildren that spans across generations. However, it’s often difficult to know what to do when grandchildren come to visit. If your grandchildren are visiting your retirement community this summer, try one of these fun and interactive activities to make the most of your time together.
Play cards or a game
Enjoy a little competition with your grandchildren by playing a kid-friendly card game such as Go Fish, Crazy Eights, or Rummy. Your grandkids may also enjoy playing a classic board game or putting a puzzle together. Most retirement communities have cards, board games, and even video games available for residents to use when their grandchildren come to visit.
Read together
As a grandparent, reading with your grandchildren is one of the most meaningful ways to spend your time. Not only is reading important for a child’s future success in school, but it’s also a way to create lasting memories. Visit a local library or bookstore and let your grandchildren pick out a few books to read together. At Bethany Village, we have several libraries located all over our campus, and anyone can borrow books to share. Depending on the age of your grandkids, you can read aloud to them, have them read to you, or simply share stories from the past. If you’re a long-distance grandparent, you can get two copies of a book and read along with your grandchild over the phone.
Plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs
Summer is the perfect time to introduce your grandchildren to the fun of gardening. Help your grandchildren pick out seeds for easy-to-grow flowers, vegetables, or herbs and then plant them in a pot or in the garden. You can even create miniature gardens together using a small pot or container and no-fuss plants such as succulents or herbs.
Look at family photo albums
Take a step back in time by looking through family photo albums with your grandchildren. Your grandkids are sure to enjoy seeing photos of their parents when they were growing up, and looking at photo albums is a wonderful opportunity to share some of your favorite family stories.
Visit a museum or aquarium
If your grandkids are visiting from out of town, take them to see local attractions such as an art or history museum, aquarium, or zoo. Together, you can bond over new experiences and learn a lot about art, culture, or science. Many museums have special summer programs for kids and offer discount tickets for seniors and children.
No matter how you spend time with your grandchildren this summer, remember that the most important thing to do is have fun together! With a little planning and preparation, you can have a successful visit and make special memories that will last for years to come.
