Senior Housing Connection

Activities to Do When Your Grandchildren Come to Visit

Monday, August 27, 2018


It’s truly exciting when the grandchildren come to visit. All that youthful exuberance and energy is so much fun, but let’s be honest: it can also be a little overwhelming if you don’t have a plan. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered, with tons of fun activities to keep the kids engaged, happy, and loving their time with the grandparents.

  • Enjoy the great outdoors together. Whether you’re birdwatching, fishing, or gardening, time spend in the fresh air and sunshine is good for you and the kids. Want to really be a hit with your grandchildren? Take them to the playground.
  • Do some reading. Pick a good chapter book, and read a little bit more each time they come to visit. Do it under a special fuzzy blanket they can only snuggle at your house, and they’ll have yet another reason to want to keep coming back.
  • How about a scavenger hunt? For an out of the box activity, plan a scavenger hunt customized to fit your space. Hide clues, and let the children hunt for them, or make a list of items for them to find items on a list. You can also do a photo scavenger hunt while you’re on a walk. At the end of the hunt, reward their participation with a small prize, like candy or a book.
  • Tell family stories. Look through family photo albums with your grandchildren, and tell them stories about their parents, back when they were growing up. If you’ve got tapes or videos, you can make a night of it!
  • Play beauty salon. Give each other manicures and new hairstyles, getting creative with rubber bands and barrettes.
  • Host a talent show. Especially if you have several grandchildren, giving them the chance to show off their talents and skills in a talent show can be fun. What’s more, you may learn some things about your grandkids in the process.
  • Go high tech. Kids tend to be involved in their devices, which can be problematic if you’re trying to spend time together. Our advice? If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Download some educational, interactive apps, and play together.
  • Get artsy-craftsy. Hit the arts and crafts supply store either before they arrive or with them in tow, and stock up on fun projects and supplies. It’s fun for them to have something to take home and show off from their visit with the grandparents.
  • Play a game, or do a puzzle. Board games, card games, and puzzles give you wonderful time with the grandchildren and can spark some friendly competition.
  • Cook and bake together. Kids love to be involved in what you’re doing, and they usually enjoy a good baked treat, too. Bringing them into the kitchen can be a fun bonding experience that ends deliciously.
  • Watch a movie. It’s fun to hang out together with a big bowl of popcorn and a family-friendly movie. You can even go so far as to start a movie club with your grandchildren, keeping a running list of movies you’d like to share.
  • Go out to lunch. There are few things that make a kid feel more special than being taken on a grown-up lunch date, and few things as fun as showing off your adorable grandkids around town.
  • Share a hobby. Do you knit, fish, or make model cars? Whatever your hobby may be, passing it along to your grandchild will not only give you a way to bond with each other but will also give the child a skill he or she can practice well into adulthood, while thinking fondly of days with you.

When your grandkids come to visit, wouldn’t it be nice for them to be visiting Parkwood Heights? A picturesque, 122-acre senior living campus, Parkwood Heights is located just minutes from Victor, Fairport, Farmington, and Canandaigua. It’s a great place to enjoy your time with friends and family, whether you’re fishing at our fishing pond, taking a walk on one of our many trails, joining in a game of bocce or horseshoes, or just relaxing in our scenic setting. Call (315) 986-9100 to learn more about all that we have to offer, or check out our website and reach out if you have any questions.