Summer is a great opportunity to connect with your grandkids. They are out of school and probably getting bored by now. If you live close enough to visit them or have them visit you, that is great. If not, there are multiple ways to connect online. I’ve heard the term “Grandma Camp” being used on several blogs as something grandparents can create for their grandkids. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. The goal is to create fun memories for both you as grandparents and grandkids.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Create a craft center with materials like crayons, markers, coloring or activity books, games, puzzles, etc. Perhaps you have friends who are also grandmothers and you could create a craft center together to pass around and share when grandkids visit.
- Cook or bake a special recipe together. Print out recipe for them to keep.
- Plan a picnic at a nearby park. Let grandkids help decide on the menu and make it.
- Watch a special movie together with popcorn, snacks, blankets and pillows.
- Go camping in the back yard or inside. Tell stories of your favorite things you did when you were a kid. Tell about any camp experiences you had.
- Look at family photos together. P.S. Be sure to take photos during your Grandma camp to add to your album and also share with parents and grandkids.
- Spend one-on-one time with each grandchild. Let them chose what they want to do with you for an hour or so.
- Have a reading day—select kid’s books you may have, visit the library to check out books, or visit a bookstore to purchase a book for each grandchild.
- Help grandkids create special back-to-school bag. Go to a dollar store and let them shop to fill it up. (Decide on amount before hand.) You could also have them earn points during camp by being helpful, showing kindness, etc. and use points to purchase items for back-to-school-bag.
- Have them put on a play or talent show for you and others in the family.
- Give lots of hugs and kisses and spoil them a little—after all, that’s what grandparents are for.
If your grandkids can’t visit in person—perhaps with the help of their parents you can set up Facebook live or Zoom so you can visit online.
- Read books together or have a story hour once a week. Check out some of their favorite books from the library to read together. Let them read to you.
- Share stories and pictures of everyone’s summer activities.
- Teach them how to make something— a recipe, a craft, etc.
- Send a summer care package with craft materials and ideas that they can work on and then share with you online.
- Play games online together.
- Tell them how much you love them!
