Are you missing your grandkids? Here are some meaningful ways to spend time with your grandchildren!
The bond between children and their grandparents is often special and sacred. While passing down wisdom and traditions, grandparents enrich the lives of their grandchildren. The elder buddies hold an emotional safe space which is necessary for the growth of a young child.
In dual-income families where both parents are busy, grandparents have a bigger role to play in molding grandchildren’s lives. In that case, spending quality time with grandchildren also includes helping with chores, school homework, building a lifestyle, etc.
Once grandchildren grow up and step into the real world as adults, they often carry the lessons they learnt in their childhood alongside their grandparents.
Significance of spending time with grandchildren
Grandparents and grandchildren share a give-and-take dynamic. The grandparents find a way to pass their time as well as share happy memories. The grandchildren benefit from extra love and nurture. Sometimes, grandparents also become a shield for their grandchildren’s mischievous yet innocent acts.
Here are some more reasons why spending time with grandchildren is important
Stay connected at the heart
Stay active
Learn new things such as, how to use a phone
Reduces sense of loneliness
More happy times
A sense of purpose
Increased lifespan
Better quality of life
Energetic mind
Ways to spend time with grandchildren
Depending on the grandchildren’s age group, proximity, and other factors, there are various ones to spend some happy time together. Let’s talk about some of the ways in detail:
Play together
Low-activity games like fetch and passing the ball are an ideal way to start a wholesome relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. The grandparents can also partake in other games involving toys like cars, dolls, etc. These are low-mobility games that are suitable for senior citizens.
Ideal for age group- 3 to 10 years
Board and card games
Board games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Snakes & ladders, Ludo, Uno, etc are other fun and engaging ways to play with grandchildren. With the advances in technology, these games are available on electronic devices as well. Though playing via phones/computers takes away the human touch that each game brings, this medium can be quite beneficial for those who stay far away from their grandchildren.
Ideal for age group- 5 to 12 years
Gardening
One of the most stress-relieving activities to do with grandchildren is gardening. This activity requires minimal supplies. All that’s needed is a pot, some soil, some seeds and water. Gardening can not only be fun but also educational and rewarding. The grandchildren would more likely try to stay in touch as they anticipate the plants to grow. One can plant anything, from home-grown tomatoes to lemons or just some flowers. Children’s curiosity will lead to asking questions to their grandparents about plants and nature in general, forming a good base of education and knowledge which can further lead to a deeper bond.
Ideal for age group- 3 to 12 years
Art and craft
While children are growing up, they’re fascinated by the wide range of colours. The many colours help in building knowledge as well as staying hooked to activities for a long time. Recreational hobbies such as colouring, painting, drawing, origami, sketching and more are some of the fun ways to keep children engaged with grandparents.
Ideal for age group- 3 to 12 years
Walking or jogging together
Depending upon the physical ailments of the grandparents, walking and jogging is a great way to keep health in check alongside grandchildren. Any form of physical activity releases happy hormones which can cultivate a unique bond with grandchildren. This is also one of the many activities most suited for teenagers.
Ideal for age group- 3 to 15 years
A visit to a museum, aquarium, etc
Visits such as museums, aquariums, gardens, movies, libraries, etc can have a combined effect of knowledge and spending time together. It’s a good way to blend each other’s hobbies to learn more about grandchildren’s interests. Nowadays, most museums provide wheelchair assistance and staff to look into one’s special needs.
Ideal for age group- 7 to 15 years
Reading together
From children’s story books to novels, reading is another fun yet educational way to spend time with grandchildren. Reading history books can also spark conversations to quench the grandchildren’s thirst for knowledge and understanding why older generations fought wars, etc. Reading helps inculcate good values and builds a good habit too.
Ideal for age group- 3 to 15 years
Teaching a new skill
Teaching a new skill goes a long way for grandchildren. They not only see it as a fun way to pass the time but may also help them in adult life to stay grounded. Reflect on your unique skills such as crocheting or playing a musical instrument. Sharing learnings and experiences with grandchildren will lead to a sharp mind and a mellow heart.
Ideal for age group- 3 to 15 years
Listening
Last but not least, one of the most underrated but effective ways of bonding with grandchildren is listening. In a busy world full of technological stimulations, simply listening to grandchildren can be helpful to their mental and emotional health. Helping grandchildren feel comfortable talking about light-hearted topics like how they spent their day or weekend or having intense discussions like having a crush on a classmate can be amusing and heartwarming. Sometimes, grandparents can also help their grandchildren navigate smoothly through the changing times of adolescence.
Ideal for age group- 3 to 15 years
Conclusion
One can always combine different ideas like walking to a park for gardening or solving crossword puzzles in a park. Irrespective of the method chosen, these ideas are guaranteed to help both, grandparents and grandchildren lead an overall healthy life with a lifelong bond.
FAQs:
1. Do I need lots of money to spend time with my grandchildren?
No! Most of the above ideas need no money for extra pieces of equipment. However, board games may need a one-time investment. There are plenty of cheaper options available in the market.
2. Does spending time with grandchildren involve going out of the house?
While some activities like walking, etc may need physical movement, most activities like playing board games, reading together, etc can be done from the comfort of your house. Some activities can be done online as well, via video calls.
3. How to choose the right way of spending time with your grandchildren?
One of the best ways to spend time with your grandchildren is to ask them what suits their interests the most. While certain kids may like reading together, other kids may not think of reading as a fun activity. Asking them directly or giving them options to choose from a range of ideas is a good way to establish a bond.
