Six Ways You Can Be the Fun Grandparent

1. Make any together time a game. Driving from oneThere are events for all of them. For Hallowe'en make
place to another can be very boring for young children.going to the pumpkin patch an annual event. Every
The boredom can be relieved by singing songs withyear we include going through a corn maze as a fun
the children being encouraged to join in. Make upthing to do too. At this time of the year there are also
stories and encourage children to add their own pieceshayrides to go on. At Christmas there are Christmas
to the story no matter how silly or outlandish it maylight displays; some of them are so spectacular that
seem. A story can be a very effective distraction andchildren are invited to be part of the event. Most towns
can last quite a while depending on the number ofhave a Christmas parade and there's always a visit
children there are contributing to the story line. Dowith Santa or breakfast with Santa. And during the
counting and other games, depending on the ages ofsummer there are trips to the beach, walks through
the children. For example if they are learning theirnature or even a trip to a farm to pick berries.
alphabet and their numbers, you can play something5. Fun time with grandchildren can also be educational.
like: one apple, two bears, three cats, four dogs, fiveWe recently went to a butterfly sanctuary where
elephant, six frogs, etc. Let them come up with ideaseven the youngest children learned something. Another
for each of the different letters of the alphabet.trip was whale watching where we saw not only a
2. Play with children by doing what they enjoy. Iffew whales but sea lions and seals. Visiting the farm
physically possible, get down on the floor with themanimals at the country fair can be another fun and
and build airplanes and cars with their blocks or danceeducational experience for children. And going kite
with them to some of their musical toys. I spent someflying at the beach lets children learn how to keep it in
time recently sitting in a princess castle with my twothe air.
year old granddaughter while we read books. Children6. Invite the grandchildren for sleepovers. I will have one
like it when you are at the same level as they are. It isor sometimes two at a time and plan on doing
important to play the games that children enjoy notsomething special. If it's around Christmas we have
just what is the most enjoyable for you.made gingerbread houses, done baking or made a
Understandably, some things are not physically possibleChristmas craft all of which they can take home with
as grandparents age.them. If the weather is nice we will plan on an outdoor
3. Determine what the interests are of each grandchildadventure like going to the duck pond with lots of
and create fun things to do relating to their interests.birdseed, going to a local park to explore or in really
One of my grandchildren enjoys doing crafts so eachnice weather, going to a water park. The ten year old
time we get together we have a different project tograndchild and I once spent several weeks working on
work on. Recently at seven he has decided he wantsa puppet show by preparing a set and making the
to be an architect when he grows up. He has seenpuppets by using apple heads. I wrote the play and at
some old buildings and wants to view others. My tenone of the family functions we presented it to the
year old granddaughter enjoys going for dinner andentire family.
then looking in the stores, even if we don't buyI have done all of these things with my grandchildren
anything. And one of the little ones loves animals soplus more. We have also gone on vacations together
we have gone to petting zoos, the aquarium, a birdat various times. Not only do they enjoy the time spent
sanctuary and the game park zoo.with a grandparent but I enjoy my time spent with
4. Celebrate each occasion with your grandchildren.them by being the fun grandparent.