There is nothing quite like the bond between some grandparents and their grandkids.
Above all grandparents are not only a world of wisdom, but also a safe space and usually a lot more fun than mom and dad.
However, the age gap can pose some challenges when trying to come up with ways to fill your time.
Whether you are planning a weekend together or just an afternoon, there are many ways your family’s generations can spend quality time with each other (and you can each learn a little something along the way!)
Take The Grandkids Around Town
1. Christmas/holiday markets. There are dozens of exciting holiday markets in the area and this activity has the added benefit of killing two birds with one stone. Get your shopping done and spend quality time with your grandkids. This is also a great opportunity to help your grandkids pick out a gift or two for mom and dad or each other.
2. Go to the theatre. If you want to introduce a new generation to live theatre, there is no better time to do it than the holidays. Kids will be mesmerized by the lights, colours and sounds of the performance and ask to go again.
3. Local attractions. The island is full of year-round attractions that kids love. Check out Royal BC Museum, Victoria Butterfly Garden, The Museum at Campbell River, Victoria Bug Zoo, BC Aviation Museum or Hatley Castle.
4. Go to the movies. Get back to the basics and take in a flick. What’s better than a movie and popcorn with your favourite little people?
5. Play in an arcade. Arcades have come a long way but many still have retro games that grandparents may remember from when their kids were young. It’s not unusual to see Whack-a-Mole and PAC-MAN at today’s arcades or “gaming lounges” as they are sometimes called.
6. Hit the lanes. Lace up your bowling shoes and show those kids how it’s done. Many young kids have never been bowling and who better to introduce them to the sport than their grandparents?
7. Go out to eat. Whether you dress in your best and visit a fine-dining establishment or roll to a drive through for some burgers, fries and ‘shakes, go to a restaurant together. Kids are more likely to try new foods with people other than their parents so get ready to broaden their culinary horizons.
Take The Grandkids To The Great Outdoors
8. Get moving. Take your grandkids for a walk, hike or bike ride. This can be around the block in your neighbourhood or through the forest, depending on your time and mobility. Getting out in the fresh air is a great way to spend time together.
9. Go ice skating. If it is cold enough to go skating outdoors, get out on the ice. If not, go to a local recreation centre and glide the day away.
10. Picnics are not just for summer. Bundle up and pack your basket with some of your favourite foods and treats. (Don’t forget the hot chocolate!). Walk or drive to your favourite spot and dig in.
11. You can’t lose with playgrounds. Watching your grandkids climb, run, jump and explore a local playground is a great way to spend an afternoon. Think of the smiles on their faces if you took a trip down the slide or climbed the rock wall.
12. If the snow has flown in your area, take the kids to your local toboggan hill. Whether you are brave enough to go down with them or just watch from the top, they will love showing you how fast they can go.
13. Hide and seek. This classic never gets old. In your backyard, a local park, on a walk around the neighbourhood, seeking and finding each other is fun for everyone.
14. Take in the magic of the season at outdoor holiday festivals like The Magic of Christmas at Butchart Gardens (December 1 to January 6) or Winter Lights Across Canada (December 8 to January 8).
15. Nothing keeps grandparents young like seeing the lights of the holiday season reflected in the joyful eyes of their grandkids.
At Home Leisure
16. Hit the deck. Grab a deck of cards and teach the kids a game you used to play. Children rarely play cards anymore, but most love the games once they learn them. From bridge to war, they will go home wanting to teach their friends how to play.
17. Read with them. Depending on the age of your grandchild, you can read to them, or they can read to you. Share some of your favourite books from your childhood or when your kids were little. Kids love to learn about what their parents were like when they were young and books can help jumpstart those conversations.
18. Video games. Pick up a controller and let your grandchild introduce you to the world of gaming. Or maybe you used to school your kids at early video games and can show the next generation a thing or two.
19. Board games never get old. There are hundreds of new ones on the market or you can stick with the tried-and-true classics like Snakes and Ladders, Checkers and Scrabble.
At Home Activities
20. What’s better than spending quality time together and eating delicious food? Nothing! That’s why kids and their grandparents have been cooking and baking together for generations. Pick up your cookbook and get cracking!
21. Colour. Dig out those pencil crayons, markers or crayons and grab a colouring book. Colouring is incredibly relaxing and fun to do together. It can also lead to some great conversations.
22. Learn together. Kids are inquisitive. They ask tons of questions and grandparents have the answers. Even if that answer is “I don’t know but here’s my experience with that…” Share your hobbies with your grandchildren. Teach them about the things that are important to you, and they will do the same. Take turns learning from each other. Tell them about your time overseas while they teach you the latest dance move.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what you do when you are with your grandchildren. What matters is that you are spending quality time together to create beautiful memories you will both cherish.
