by Gary Foreman

It shouldn’t cost a lot of money to make memories with your grandkids. Sure, kids like different things than when you were a young, but both generations will have fun with these activities.

The memories you carry from your childhood often include activities that you did with your grandparents as a child. Naturally, you want to make some wonderful memories for your own grands to have, but kids seem different from when we were growing up. The world has changed.

So what can grandparents do with their grandchildren today?

To help us answer that question, we interviewed Sara Schwartz, former managing editor of Grandparents.com.

Q: Many grandparents like activities that are educational. Are there activities that can teach grandchildren without boring them?

Sara Schwartz: Tons of fun educational activities are at your fingertips at home, and they are all very low-cost, if not free.

Cooking is always a fun educational tool because it’s a usable skill. It involves measuring and sometimes math, and it’s messy. Kids like that!

Simple science experiments using household goods are a great option. They teach kids about chemical reactions and density. Sometimes they involve explosions and cool colors.

Take them to the garden! You can teach kids about how plants grow, photosynthesis, and how bugs and crawly things help the cycle of life.

Q: Teens typically don’t want to be seen with their parents or grandparents. What can we do together that won’t embarrass them?

Sara Schwartz: People of all ages like the bowling alley. Plus, kids can’t be embarrassed by their grandparents when you’re all doing the same silly sport!

If teens have their learner’s permit, offer to teach them how to drive. You’ll likely be a more patient teacher than mom or dad and less likely to get under teens’ skin when you offer advice.

If teens are highly prone to embarrassment, try interacting with them via an app like Words With Friends. No one else will know who they’re having such a good time with.

Q: How can we introduce grandchildren to our hobbies?

Sara Schwartz: Invite them to a hobby-swap day, where they teach you about one of their favorite hobbies and you teach them one of yours. Kids will be more likely to listen and learn after you’ve shown them that you can listen and learn from them.

Q: Are there activities that provide an ongoing connection? Is there something that’s more than a one-time outing?

Sara Schwartz: For older kids, the Words With Friends crossword app gives you an opportunity for ongoing interaction; games can last anywhere from a day to a week or more, depending on how often you play.

For younger kids, pick a chapter book to read to each other and budget a few chapters a sitting. That way, kids will be excited to see you and pick up where they left off. Long-term projects that you can do in installments, like planting flowers in a garden or assembling a scrapbook, are also fun options.

Q: What do grandparents often overlook when they’re thinking of activities to share with their grandchildren?

Sara Schwartz: The first step to figuring out fun activities is to talk with your grandkids. Ask them what they’re interested in and what they are doing in and outside of school.

If you find out they are taking clarinet lessons, introduce them to some famous songs featuring the clarinet or take them to a music museum. Or if they are really into soccer, find a local league and take them to a game. They’re usually free or very low-cost. If they like art of any kind, hit the art museums or host a crafternoon at home.

Once you hear what they like straight from the horse’s mouth, the sky’s the limit.

• 8 Ways To Develop Close Relationships With Your Grandchildren
• Lifestyle Changes To Consider Before Taking in a Grandchild
• Moving Away From Family To Better Afford Retirement Living Expenses

Reviewed July 2023

About the Author

Gary Foreman is the former owner and editor of the After50Finances.com website and newsletter. He's been featured in MSN Money, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, The Nightly Business Report, US News Money, Credit.com and CreditCards.com.