Are you leaving your child at Grandma’s house this weekend? Maybe you’re searching for a couple of activities for them to do together – things that aren’t just iPad games, but meaningful pursuits that will help them learn more about each other and ultimately bond.
Look no further! Here are 15 things to do with Grandma this weekend.
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Read Stories Together
This is an excellent activity for grandmas who might have limited mobility or those who need a break after a long weekend with grandkids.
Reading together is a fantastic way for Grandma and Grandchild to sit together and bond over their favorite parts of the story. Not only is it a great way to bond and spend time together, but studies have also shown reading has clear cognitive development benefits in the minds of children.
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Go to the Zoo
A trip to any zoo is a fun way to get outside for Grandma and the grandkids. Zoos everywhere feature a great variety of animals and informative exhibits. Easy walking trails and shuttles make it accessible for people of all ages to enjoy. Zoos typically offer various food options so Grandma and the grandkids can make an entire day out of the experience if they desire.
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Family Interviews
Encourage your child to interview Grandma and have Grandma interview your child, too. Why? It encourages communication and a deeper connection between both parties. Also, it preserves a sense of history – your child will have a better understanding of their roots when they interview Grandma.
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Play Board Games
This activity is a fun way for Grandma and Grandchild to bond and a great option for rainy weekends. Grandma likely has a stack of your old board games sitting in the attic. What better way for your child to learn more about you and your favorite games as a kid?
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Make Slime
Have your child introduce Grandma to the world of slime and make an afternoon out of it. The two of them can work together, get their hands dirty, and create their custom slime. Maybe this slime can be so unique it always stays at Grandma’s house. Hey, a parent can dream!
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Go to the Park
Encourage Grandma to take your child to the park. While the park might not seem that special to Grandma, getting outside in the tiniest bit of green space can be an adventure for your little one. Remind Grandma that your child will appreciate the time in the fresh air, and they’ll be that more worn out when bedtime rolls around.
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Bake Cookies
Have Grandma locate that recipe for her homemade chocolate chip cookies. If Grandma doesn’t have a go-to cookie recipe, this one is the perfect substitute. Your child will love getting their hands dirty to make cookies with Grandma. Not to mention the fun of eating them later!
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Go Out to Eat
For watching your child, treat Grandma to a meal out. She’ll appreciate the ease of not having to cook, and your child will enjoy getting to eat out in a restaurant. Have Grandma and Grandchild decide together where they want to dine.
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Build With Legos
Chances are good you played with Legos when you were young, so Grandma is a pro at this activity. There might even be a Rubbermaid container of Legos sitting in the basement just waiting for your child to dig in. Or, have your child bring their latest set and watch what unique creations Grandma and Grandchild put their heads together to design.
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Watch a Movie
Leave money for Grandma to take your child to the latest release in theaters. Or have them stream something together from the comfort of the couch.
Or rather, a better idea to surprise them by booking tickets for a movie outing. Book it at a theater that offers everything from a fantastic movie experience to premium food and beverages. For this reason, many people prefer Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema for fun family movie night plans. You may also look for such a holistic place and let the grandparents and children have the much-needed bonding time.
Encourage them to talk about their favorite parts of the movie and discuss their favorite characters. Chances are good they have a lot of things in common.
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Go Swimming
This activity is perfect for the warmer months – what child doesn’t love swimming? Most local pools offer significant discounts for senior entry fees. If Grandma takes your child to the pool or local splash pad for the afternoon, they’ll likely both have a ton of fun.
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Painting a Picture
Another creative activity for Grandma and Grandchild, painting, is an excellent way for both parties to express themselves. All that’s needed is a set of acrylic paints, paintbrushes, paper, and a plastic table cloth to keep things tidy. It’s a perfect activity for cooler months or visits when the weather isn’t as cooperative.
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Have a Dance Party
Crank the music and get moving! Staying busy is important for youth and seniors, and what better way to keep active than to dance? Have Grandma and Grandchild pick out different songs for the dance party playlist. This is an excellent way for both to learn about each other’s taste in music. If either party needs a break during the dancing, they can pause in a chair or sofa. If mobility is limited, they can do seated dancing to participate.
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Plant a Garden
This warm-weather activity is particularly memorable for children and helps them learn values like sustainable living and the importance of growing your food.
It’s also a great activity with Grandma because it’s one your child can repeatedly help with each time they visit. Your child can watch the progress of each plant as it grows and enjoy the fruits of their labor once they taste the vegetables grown.
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Scrapbook Together
Grandmas are always good at taking pictures. It’s likely she has stacks of photos of herself with your child just sitting around the house. Too many for picture frames and too many to know what to do with. Have Grandma and Grandchild get creative and scrapbook together using the many pictures. Together, they can create an entire memory book of experiences.
The Perfect Thing to Do With Grandma
The perfect activity for your child and Grandma is just a weekend away. Have Grandma and your child try any of these ideas out and see what works best for them!
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