How To Entertain Your Grandkids This Summer

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There’s nothing more enjoyable than spending quality time with your grandchildren. Studies even show that grandparents who spend time raising or babysitting kids have a 37% lower mortality risk than those without those responsibilities. If you’ve got your grandkids coming over this summer, you’re probably wondering how to keep them entertained during their time with you. Then you’re at the right place! There are fun activities you and your grandchildren could enjoy this summer, regardless of their age. Here are a few activities to consider.  

1. Gardening

If you’ve got a green thumb and enjoy spending your days planting seeds and watering your plants, you get your grandkids involved by starting a gardening project with them this summer. It’s a great way to pass along this favorite pastime and help them pick a new skill. Additionally, they would enjoy getting their hands dirty and seeing the results of their hard work and consistency. Most importantly, you will get to create sweet memories as you bond with them and enjoy your time working on the plants. 

The great thing about starting a gardening project with your grandkids is that you don’t need a lot to get started. If you don’t have space to create a small bed, you can still grow plants in pots and place them by your window sill. To make it even more exciting, you can get your grandkids to paint or decorate their pots before they start. You would also need seeds and a few child-friendly gardening tools.

2. Start a summer book club

Book clubs are back again! Many avid readers meet in bookstores, coffee shops, or homes to discuss their latest books. More recently, online book club meetings have become even more popular. If you and your grandchildren are bookworms, you can join a local book club. Or better yet, start your own! You choose a book from various genres you think your grandkids would enjoy. Then you make time to discuss chapters, expectations, and so on.

Starting a book club is a great way to expose your grandkids to learn how to appreciate different viewpoints and opinions. Plus, they will be exposed to various forms of writing. Adding their favorite snacks and drinks to discussions can make it even more entertaining. For younger kids, you can introduce them to some of your favorite childhood classics. A book club is also a great way to introduce your grandkids to the joy of reading. 

3. Get on social media

Social media is a big deal these days, and as a grandparent, it’s a great way to keep in touch with your grandkids. One of the best ways to keep your grandkids entertained when they spend time with you is to get them to help you become more acquainted with social media and learn some helpful tips and tricks. Who knows? Maybe you can start posting fun videos of your summer together and become internet famous. 

Ask your grandkids for help finding the best social media site that is easy to navigate and fun. They will help you create your profile, take good pictures of you, and show you how to find other friends and family to follow. They can even teach you how to add music to Instagram post if you want to share updates to your network. What better way to connect with your grandkids than by learning to use the things they love? 

4. Teach them family recipes

Taking the time to cook meals from scratch with your grandkids has numerous benefits beyond preparing delicious meals. It’s a great way for your grandkids to learn important skills and teaches them about the importance of good and nutritious food. Even better, it’s a great way to bond with your grandkids. Cooking with your grandkids also fosters creativity for them and even for you! Your meals do not have to be perfect. As long as they are edible, you should encourage your grandkids to be original and include their styles in the meals they create. Seeing the pride on their faces when they create amazing food would be worth it. 

To make the occasion more special, you can start a cooking project like a book of recipes. That way, you and your grandkids can share something special. Plus, you can take pictures of your meals throughout the year. You can even teach them how to make your signature dish that they’ve come to love. 

5. Plan a special day out

Whether you’re having numerous or just a few of your grandchildren coming over this summer, it’s always important to carve out time for them to go out and about. They will appreciate the opportunity to catch up with you while doing things you love. It could be a quiet walk in the park or a nice fishing trip. If they are unfamiliar with your town or city, you can take them on tours to explore. For younger kids, you can spend the day with them visiting museums and zoos. Whatever you choose, your grandkid would love having you all to themselves. 

6. Reminisce with old photos and home movies

Instead of the usual movie nights, why not try something different when you have your grandkids over? You can bring out your old photo collection and give them a glimpse of how life was before they were born. And you can share amusing stories with the grandkids of your childhood and even their parents. It could be the perfect substitute for a movie if you have home videos. It would be a fun time to relive those cherished memories and pass on important family history and stories to the younger ones. 

There are endless things you can do with your grandkids this summer when they come over for a visit. They will appreciate the time they spend with you, build lasting memories, and learn important life lessons. So, whether you want to get your hand dirty in the soil, spend quality time catching up, or create new family recipes, you’ll surely have a lot of fun.