Many families are eager to spend time together as the holidays get closer. Children like playing with their cousins and receiving attention from their aunts and uncles and most especially, their grandparents. With a few enjoyable activities to do with grandkids, you may make this year even more special for both you and the kids. Whether they are visiting you in your retirement community or you are taking a vacation home, here are a few to try with your grandchildren:
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Cooking and Baking
Making cookies with a grandchild can be a lot of fun, and even if it might be your first recipe to attempt, feel free to branch out to other cuisines as they get more interested.
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Games and Toys
Try out their preferred game or demonstrate the one you enjoyed as a child. You could also just drop a bucket full of blocks in the middle of the floor and watch their creativity unfolds. Look for websites or apps with kid-friendly interactive games and entertainment. Create engaging conversation starters to make getting to know your grandkids better a game.
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Silliness
Many grandparent participants described silly little things that they and their grandchildren like doing together, such as blowing bubbles, dancing, and singing (loudly) to kid-friendly music or your oldies’ mix. Sometimes those humorous moments are utterly unexpected.
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Reading Together
This is a favorite, especially with the little grandchildren. It also allows you to hold your grandchild on your lap or right next to you, which encourages bonding.
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Outdoor Recreation
A fun approach to break the routine and leave the house is to take the grandchildren to the park. To make it more interesting, you could maybe locate different parks each time. Other activities noted by grandparents included fishing, swimming, picnicking, playing sports, taking walks, and engaging in outdoor games.
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Crafts
Find a creative activity you think your grandkids would like, such as finger painting. Perhaps supply a desk or area in your home with paper, crayons and markers, paint, and any other items kids may require (and that you would be happy to help with and clean up). Join forces with them to enhance the appeal and interest of such activities for them.
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Treats
There is much to be said for going out to dine, having ice cream or frozen yogurt, or even purchasing a coffee for adolescent grandkids, in addition to baking cookies or brownies at home. You may spend more time getting to know someone when you go somewhere together. While sitting at a restaurant, coffee shop, or ice cream store, it’s worth it to spend a few extra bucks to get more of their attention.
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Combining Forces
It’s a wonderful reminder for us that some grandparents mentioned cleaning or performing tasks with their grandchildren. Our grandkids should enjoy their time with us, therefore we can’t be tough taskmasters or keep them working on a project for an extended period of time, with the possible exception of elder grandkids we’ve hired for a job. Children should be taught the benefits of working hard, taking responsibility, and finishing assignments. There are ways to make working together fun for them if we approach it the right way and possibly offer a present or reward after it’s finished.
