As grandparents, it may not be easy for you to engage with your grandkids and build a strong relationship with them due to your age gap. However, by doing fun activities together, you can spend quality time with them. Through these activities, you will be able to build trust and understanding, and deepen your love for one another. Here are some bonding activities for grandparents and grandkids to enjoy together!
Reading Books
Sharing about your favorite books can allow your grandkids to understand you better. If your grandkid is younger, you can snuggle with them on the couch and read to them. Research has shown that cuddling with your kids or grandkids provides positive sensory stimulation which helps to develop their brains. When you hold your grandkids, you are also letting them know that they have your undivided attention, and this will help them grow closer to you. Discussing the book after reading also creates opportunities for great conversations to be had between you and your grandkids.
Watching Movies
Watching movies together is a great way to understand your grandkids’ preferences. You will get to know your grandkids’ favorite superheroes or characters, which always make good fodder for meaningful conversations. Watching a movie is not only enjoyable, but it also creates a great shared experience for both you and your grandkids!
Visiting Tourist Spots
Exploring nearby tourist spots with your grandkids can be a great way to spend the day! Visiting festivals and carnivals can create sweet and lasting memories. Trekking along nature trails on mountains or hills with great views allows your grandkids to take a break from mobile devices and computers to appreciate the great outdoors. You can even teach them some outdoor skills along the way!
Other tourist spots can include museums, theme parks, art galleries, and shopping malls that your grandkids have not been to before. By bringing them to new spots, outings with you will always be akin to going on a new adventure!
Doing Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are a great way to get everyone’s creative juices flowing. You can create art projects like jewelry, scrapbooks, and cards together with your grandkids. This allows them to express themselves freely in a safe space. You can also learn new skills together! How about picking up sewing or crocheting? Doing arts and crafts together is known to have many health benefits. Studies have shown that doing arts and crafts makes people feel happier and less stressed!
Playing Board Games or Card Games
Playing board games or card games with your grandkids will make them very excited; especially if you’re playing their favorite game! Games create friendly competition, and are a great stress reliever as they can stimulate your mind in a fun and relaxing manner. Some kids’ favorites include UNO, Go Fish and Crazy Eights. These games encourage communication and allow fun interactions between you and your grandkids.
Teaching New Skills or Imparting New Knowledge
Grandkids can also teach new skills to their grandparents! These skills can be technology skills like how to use a mobile phone or how to set up a social media profile. Do you know that being active on social media can help you stay connected to your loved ones? By becoming tech savvy, you’ll also be able to relate better to your grandkids, and will no longer feel frustrated or confused by what your grandkids are doing on their phones or mobile devices.
On the other hand, as grandparents, you can teach your grandkids valuable life lessons that you have learnt the hard way. For instance, you can talk to your grandkids about what you wish you had learnt at an early age or what you wish you had not done. We’re sure your grandkids will love to hear stories about your life, and benefit from the wisdom that you can share.
Participating in Events
Participating in events together is a great opportunity to spend quality time with your grandkids. You and your grandkids should also come together to pick the event that everyone would like to attend. By involving your grandkids in the decision-making process, you are empowering them and making them feel valued.
